Morristown Festival of Books Adds Bestseller, Set to Turn Page Friday

It may be the first of its kind, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Morristown’s inaugural Festival of Books, set to kick off Friday night at the Morristown Performing Arts Center with keynote speaker and author William Cohan addressing readers at 7:30 p.m.

The event will go full swing on Saturday, when 21 authors will each spend an hour speaking with fans and readers at five different locations within walking distance of each other around downtown Morristown. Those locations include:

• St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 South Street
• St. Peter’s Parish Hall, 121 South Street
• The Presbyterian Parish House, 65 South Street
• Starlight Room at MAYO Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street
• Morristown & Morris Township Library, Corner of South Street and Miller Road

The first block of authors will speak from 10 to 11 a.m.; with the second from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; the third from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.; and the day will finish with a 3 to 4 p.m. block.

Jersey Tales

Two authors part of the festival have written books that uncover major crimes and alleged crimes involving New Jersey residents from recent years. Cohan, a bestselling author and Duke alumnus, penned the book The Price of Silence, examining the 2006 Duke lacrosse team scandal that involved Reade Seligmann, a resident of Essex Fells.

Just added to the festival’s lineup this week, New York Times bestselling author Charles Graeber will also be on hand. Graeber documents the 16-year long nursing career of Charles Cullen, convicted of murdering hospital patients in New Jersey.

While tickets for Cohan’s address Friday night are still on sale at a cost of $20, the rest of the festival is free to the public. All merchandise and books will have a cost, however.

To learn more about the festival and authors who will be on hand, go here.

Photo Courtesy Morristown Festival of Books.