We're less than two weeks away from the 2012 edition of the Miami Book Fair International, and now, at last, lit lovers can start planning out their schedule of author events, street fair browsing, and children's events, and more.
The book fair released its schedule of events this morning, featuring enticing options each day from November 11 to 18. Think readings by publishing's biggest names. Food demonstrations to satiate your appetite. Arts performances by the region's most talented artists. And happy hours and erotic panels for those of you who are just in it for the hedonism.
We're breaking down the most exciting events for you after the jump.
See also:
-Miami Book Fair Announces Full 2012 Lineup
Sunday, November 11
An Evening with Tom Wolfe
Back to Blood, Wolfe's novel about Miami, has not exactly been embraced by the literary community. So it'll be extra interesting to hear him discuss (or defend) his latest work. 6 p.m.
Monday, November 12
An Evening with Junot Diaz
Diaz is one of the most acclaimed voices in recent literature, and his Spanglish-peppered prose is perfect for Miami readers. 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13
An Evening with Sandra Cisneros
The Mexican-American author of The House on Mango Street will promote her latest project, Have You Seen Marie?, inspired by the death of Cisneros' own mother. But because she's a prominent figure in Chicana literature, she'll also likely speak to Latina issues, in Miami and beyond. 8 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14
An Evening with Jeffrey Toobin
Toobin, staff writer at The New Yorker and senior legal analyst at CNN, delved into the intersection of politics and judicial law for his latest book, The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court, which explores the contentious relationship between the Obama administration and Supreme Court justices like John Roberts, who famously blundered Obama's swearing-in. Think of it as a smooth, easy come-down from all the political madness of this election year. 8 p.m.
Thursday, November 15
An Evening with Robert A. Caro
The master biographer brings his latest chapter in his mammoth Lyndon B. Johnson biography to the fair -- this one chronicling the tumultuous period of 1959 to 1964, during which Johnson became vice president, and then president, when JFK was assassinated. It's the fourth book in an all-encompassing five-part biography, so you can be pretty certain the guy knows his stuff. 6:30 p.m.
An Evening with Adam Gopnik
Gopnik has written in just about every genre: fiction, nonfiction, criticism, memoir. But now he's turned his attention to food, something we can all get behind. The Table Comes First: Family, France, and the Meaning of Food explores the importance of dining in society, giving you the best excuse ever to break your diet. 8 p.m.
Friday, November 16
World Stage
The 3-day series of performances kicks off Friday with dancers from Wolfson and New World School of the Arts. Starting at 10 a.m.
Happy Hour with the Bookleggers & Literary Death Match
Head to Bardot, where the Bookleggers crew will be trading tomes (and first-timers to the fair get a free book). Then, four authors go head to head in a Literary Death Match, competing to convince a panel of judges (billed as all-stars; names have not yet been announced) to name them the champion of the night. 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
An Evening with Emma Donoghue
In Astray, the Irish writer's latest work, Donoghue presents "14 stories featuring emigrants, runaway, drifters, lovers, attorneys and slaves." Sounds like Miami to us. 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Manny Diaz sees Miami Transformed
Speaking of Miami, former mayor Manny Diaz will talk about his years in office and his new biography, Miami Transformed. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 17
Camille Paglia on Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art From Egypt to Star Wars
Controversy lightning rod Paglia takes on the art world in her latest book. You know you want to be there to hear her say something crazy. 10 a.m.
Dave Barry on Lunatics and Seth Reiss and Will Tracy on The Onion Book of Known Knowledge
The three funniest people at the book fair this year, in the same room at the same time? You know you don't want to miss this. 10 a.m.
Alternative Histories: Rodger Streitmatter on The Hidden Histories of Fifteen Extraordinary Same-Sex Couples and Michael Bronski on A Queer History of the United States
Study up on your homo history -- it's good for the soul. 11 a.m.
New Fiction: A Reading: Martin Amis on Lionel Asbo: State of England
Amis, named by The Times as one of the 50 best writers since 1949, will read to you in his sexy British accent. 11 a.m.
Naomi Wolf on Vagina: A New Biography
You have a vagina, you love vaginas, or you love someone who has a vagina. Either way, this one's a must. 11:30 a.m.
See, Learn, Eat: Cooking Demonstration: Hiroko Shimbo on Hiroko's American Kitchen: Cooking with Japanese Flavors
All this literature's making you hungry, hasn't it? 12 p.m.
The State of Erotica: M.J. Rose, Mitzi Szereto, Susie Bright, Aretha Bright, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera and Ily Goyanes, with moderator Mary Damiano
Or maybe it's just making you horny, in which case these sexperts can help you out. 12 p.m.
My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel Memoir: Derf Backderf in conversation with Charlie Kochman, executive editor, Abrams ComicArts
Backderf went to school with Dahmer, so the natural thing for him to do was write a graphic novel about his interactions with the famed serial killer. Required attendance for every Dexter fan. 1 p.m.
Bill O'Reilly on Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot
Hey, you've gotta listen to what the man's going to say if you're going to most efficiently heckle him later. 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 18
Molly Ringwald on When It Happens to You: A Novel in Stories
Yes, it's that Molly Ringwald, the one from Sixteen Candles. Rumor has it she's not too keen on talking about her teenage movie career, though. 11 a.m.
Anne Lamott on Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
Anne Lamott is one of the most elegant writers out there today, in our humble opinion, and her latest book could charm even the strictest atheist.
A Miami Picaresque: J.J. Colagrande on Decò and Yousi Mazpule on Jinetera: Story of a Cuban Prostitute
Local authors present their own literary versions of the Magic City. Take that, Tom Wolfe.
Check out the full list of events at miamibookfair.com.
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