Get Ready for Books

Tickets for panels at the LA Times Festival of Books (April 25 and 26) became available today. Tickets are free, but Ticketmaster charges 75 cents.

Panels on Saturday and Sunday at the UCLA campus feature authors talking about every genre of fiction and non-fiction, including comedy, horror, sci-fi, crime/mystery, history, biography, and science. Plus, there are plenty of discussions about the future of the newspaper.

Well-known authors appearing at panels on Saturday include Gore Vidal, Ray Bradbury, Janet Fitch, and Clive Barker. Sunday panels bring Jane Smiley, Michael J. Fox, T.C. Boyle, Sandra Tsing Loh, James Ellroy, and Arianna Huffington.

There are also quite a few opportunities throughout the weekend to learn more about LA Times columnist Steve Lopez, author of the book-turned-movie "The Soloist."

Beyond the panels, there are stages with entertainment (no tickets required) ranging from music and dance to poetry reading and cooking demonstrations. An entire stage is also dedicated to children's entertainment. Among those appearing on the stages will be Bob Barker, Peter Yarrow, Alonzo Mourning, Culture Clash, and Marlee Matlin. A Comix Strip area will focus on graphic novels and manga.

Of course, just perusing the booths and partaking of the edible goodies could take you all day.

UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles 90095
Schedules and information about parking and other details can be found at www.latimes.com/festivalofbooks.