Jaunted

11-11:30am: Jodi Picoult, whose novel My Sister's Keeper was adapted into a film starring Cameron Diaz, will make an appearance. (Fiction & Fantasy Pavilion)

Noon-12:45pm: Check out Kay Ryan, who's going into the second year of her job as poet laureate. (Poetry & Prose Pavilion)

12:55-1:25pm: Find out why mystery writer James Patterson, most well known for his Alex Cross series, holds the New York Times best-seller list record with 46 titles. (Mysteries & Thrillers Pavilion)

1:20-2:05pm: Prominent Latina writer Julia Alvarez, whose latest tome is Return to Sender, is a must-see. (Fiction & Fantasy Pavilion)

2-2:30pm: Excellent poet Patricia Smith, who wrote Blood Dazzler, which chronicles the human, physical and emotional tolls in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, will surely be a treat. (Poetry & Prose Pavilion)

3-3:30pm: Big softies will want to see Nicholas Sparks, author of tearjerkers like The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe. (Fiction & Fantasy Pavilion)

3:35-4:05pm: Those with more eclectic tastes should check out Junot Díaz, author of the quirky The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. (Fiction & Fantasy Pavilion)

4:30- 5pm: If you love the mystery/thriller genre, visit writer David Baldacci, whose latest is First Family. (Mysteries & Thrillers Pavilion)

5-5:30pm: Revisit your youth with Judy Blume, who penned childhood classics like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (Teens & Children Pavilion)

To prep yourself for the festivities, visit the Library of Congress's Twitter for updates and download podcasts spotlighting the writers who will attend the event.

Related Stories:
· National Book Festival [Official Site]
· All The Travel That's Fit To Read: E-Book News And Obama's Reading List [Jaunted]

[Photo: National Book Festival]