The Library of Congress National Book Festival is gearing up for its 25th anniversary celebration, bringing more than 90 authors together for a day of conversations and storytelling on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This event promises to showcase a wide array of literary works, spanning genres from fiction to nonfiction, biography to young adult literature, and everything in between. According to the Library of Congress, the festival continues a tradition that has attracted legions of book enthusiasts eager to engage with a diverse roster of writers.
This year's headliners introduce a variety of topics, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett discussing her interpretation of the Constitution in "Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution," while Geena Davis presents her debut picture book “The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Pages." Attendees will also hear from Ron Chernow, who tackles the life of Mark Twain in his latest biography, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is unveiling her first novel in ten years, "Dream Count," the National Book Festival is no stranger to star-studded lineups, but the convergence of such pivotal voices in one venue marks a particular high point in its storied history.
The festival further features a trio of former U.S. Poets Laureate: Joy Harjo, Ada Limón, and Tracy K. Smith, each bringing their latest poetic works to the table. Middle-grade readers can look forward to Mac Barnett's "The First Cat in Space" and R.L. Stine's chilling tales in his new releases, while fans of legal thrillers will be treated to Scott Turow's "Presumed Guilty," his latest novel, which also received a television adaptation by Apple TV+.
Other notable appearances include Jenny Slate's exploration of love and loss in "Lifeform," John Green's examination of our deadliest infection in "Everything Is Tuberculosis," Jill Lepore's historical deep dive with "We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution," and Yuval Levin's "American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation – and Could Again," bringing forth unique perspectives on American constitutionalism these contributions, the festival nurtures a space where the confluence of historical reflection, personal narrative and potentially transformative ideas coalesce, creating an invitation to explore the variegated textures of human thought and experience through the written word.
The Library of Congress promises an unforgettable gathering for bibliophiles and casual readers alike, ensuring that the 25th iteration of the National Book Festival will hold its place as a beloved fixture in the nation's literary calendar.
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