Exploring Our Relationships with Animals
Amber Monroe, staff writer
The 24th annual Festival of the Book was held March 21-25, in Charlottesville. The Festival has continued attracting audiences impacting the local economy. The festival is a time to discover new authors and their books. Readers are able to dive deeper into some of their favorite books or genres and explore authors’ influences behind their stories.
Barnes & Noble brought readers and writers together for five days of events, including author readings, book signings, and panel discussions. On Friday, March 23, Barnes & Noble in the Barracks Road Shopping Center hosted the event Hidden Lives: Exploring Our Relationships with Animals.
Forty-five people filled the chairs, leaving only two empty. The authors sat in the front of the audience in a panel. Three authors sat at a long table with their featured books displayed in front of them.
The event created an up-close experience with authors Barbara King, Abbie Gascho Landis and Maryn McKenna. They each provided personal and professional background information and their intention behind their books.
King highlights the intelligence and personality of animals using humor. Landis said she hoped to bring awareness to the link between mussels and water health.
Landis said, “Learning about mussels and their impact in the rivers was not depressing. My hope is that the book will serve as an invitation to get others to explore some of the animals in rivers and our efforts to provide cleaner waters.”
McKenna said she tried to give a voice to scientists and farmers who have studied the effects of antibiotic-drugged chickens on the American diet.
The book discusses how people can change. Through raising awareness of the impact we have on the world and our relationship with animals, readers discover what it takes to change and how some people have already started successful alternatives.
The festival program established a list of authors ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors. The program provided book discussions in every genre for every level of reader, offering deeply engaging discussions of current issues.
