The 27th annual Miami Book Fair International begins this Sunday and runs through November 21. Though most of the big
names make appearances late next week, there are a few highlights on the festivals front end too. Perhaps the strangest
choice in the author lineup is George W. Bush, who will open the fair with a talk this Sunday at 4 p.m. We imagine hell warm
up the crowd of hecklers and closet supporters with a reading of The Pet Goat before diving into his new book, Decision
Points. Spoiler alert: Dick Cheney was indeed the puppetmaster all along. Tickets cost $40, which includes an autographed
copy of Bushs tome. See the former president at Miami Dade Colleges Chapman Conference Center (Building 3, 2nd Floor,
Room 3210).
Monday, watch Harvard smarty-pants Cornel West interview Jay-Z about his new book, Decoded, during a live telecast
from the New York City Library. Because the celebrities will be streamed and not appear live, the 7 p.m. event is free in
MDCs auditorium (Building 1, 2nd Floor, Room 1261). Also Monday, hear from Nora Ephron, writer and director of When
Harry Met Sally and the recent Julie & Julia. Tickets cost $10, and the event begins at 8 p.m. in the Chapman Conference
Center.
Wednesday, things get a little more interesting when John Waters promotes his recent memoir, Role Models, which
features profiles of those who inspire him: Little Richard, a lesbian stripper named Zorro, the insane Saint Catherine of Siena,
and marine pornographer Bobby Garcia. Tickets cost $10, and the Waters talk begins at 8 p.m. in the Chapman Conference
Center. All author events take place at Miami Dade Colleges Wolfson Campus
Mondays-Sundays, 4 p.m. Starts: Nov. 14. Continues through Nov. 21, 2010