The 31st annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books takes place April 18–19, 2026, at the University of Southern California (USC). As the nation’s largest free literary event, this year’s indoor and outdoor events include 200+ authors, celebrity panels, book signings, all-ages activities, cooking demos, bilingual programming, and more.
Tina Knowles, author of ‘Matriarch,’ in conversation with Angel Jennings: Los Angeles Times Stage Saturday, April 18@12:50 PM – 1:30 PM
Tina Knowles is a mother, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Since April 2025, she has been a New York Times best-selling author for her #1 book, Matriarch. She raised superstar daughters, Beyoncé, Solange, and bonus daughter Kelly Rowland. Matriarch is her own celebrated story, beginning with a precocious girl from Galveston, Texas. Her philanthropic work includes the non-profit performing arts organization WACO Theater, Tina’s Angels, to mentor at-risk youth in Los Angeles, and her role as Chairwoman of BeyGOOD, a non-profit dedicated to economic equity. She also serves as Vice Chairwoman at Cécred, the haircare line she co-founded with Beyoncé.
Stacey Abrams, author of ‘Coded Justice’ in conversation with Leigh Haber, Bovard Auditorium, Saturday, April 18 @12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Former Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene is back . . . trying to put the past behind her at a prestigious high-end law firm in Washington, D.C. Head down and focused on a new life, Avery is now working as an internal investigator when a high-profile client seeks her out. At the epicenter of a burgeoning, controversial industry, and with billions of dollars on the line, her task is simple: to determine whether Camasca Enterprises’ technical troubles and rising body count reveal something sinister at work. In Coded Justice, Stacey Abrams’s storytelling prowess is on full display—a deft combination of riveting twists and vibrant characters set against the fascinating landscape of the capabilities of artificial intelligence . . . and the moral boundaries that govern it.
Garcelle Beauvais in conversation with Margaret Hargrove, Los Angeles Times Stage, Saturday, April 18, 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Garcelle Beauvais is an award-winning actress, author, and executive producer named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful.” She stars in and executive produces several original films with Lifetime, including Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love, the network’s #1 movie of 2026, and the NAACP Award-winning Black Girl Missing franchise. She also returns to Season 3 of the Netflix series Survival of the Thickest opposite Michelle Buteau. In 2020, Beauvais became the first Black cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and is the author of the bestselling memoir Love Me As I Am. Garcelle is also a passionate supporter of UNICEF and CORE, actively raising awareness and funds for Haiti.
Blair Underwood, author of ‘A Soldier’s Wife’ in conversation with Greg Braxton,Los Angeles Times Stage, Sunday, April 19 @10:20 AM – 11:00 AM
Blair Underwood is a Tony and two-time Golden Globe nominee, and an Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, and eight-time NAACP Image Award–winning actor, director, and producer. Underwood has starred in numerous films, television, and stage productions, including Sex and the City, Set It Off, Madea’s Family Reunion, Longlegs, L.A. Law, and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Love and Ambition, Betrayal and Rekindling: The Complex Relationships We Navigate, with Jurnee Smollett – Tickets Required, Annenberg Auditorium, Sunday, April 19@1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Join acclaimed actress Jurnee Smollett as she discusses her starring role in the highly anticipated Audible Original “Between Me And You,” premiering April 16. Based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch, this 8-episode scripted audio series was created in collaboration with Simpson Street Productions, helmed by founder and Emmy-, SAG- and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington and Simpson Street EVP and Academy Award-nominated producer Pilar Savone. Between Me and You explores the unraveling of a marriage between a rising actress and a once-promising screenwriter as they navigate the treacherous waters of ambition, jealousy, and betrayal in Hollywood.
In this intimate conversation, Smollett will delve into the challenges of bringing complex characters to life through audio storytelling, the unique demands of voice acting, and the series’ examination of the “messy, beautiful reality of love.” She’ll discuss what drew her to this project and how the story reflects the universal struggles we face when our personal relationships collide with professional aspirations. Come for an honest exploration of how modern relationships survive—or don’t—under the pressures of success, and discover why this audio series promises to be both heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful.
Lionel Richie in conversation, with Mikael Wood – Tickets Required, Bovard Auditorium, Sun, April 19@2:30 PM
The L.A. Times Festival of Books is thrilled to welcome Lionel Richie for a very special Ideas Exchange event. Join L.A. Times Pop Music Critic Mikael Wood for a behind-the-scenes conversation with the legendary musician about his memoir, “Truly.” Please note that this is not a musical performance. Tickets are available at www.tixr.com.
Get exclusive discounts and first access to panel reservations with a Friend of the Festival package. All outdoor events and activities are free. Visit www.latimes.com/events/festival for more information on this year’s lineup.
