MJCCA Kicks Off Prestigious Book Festival

We're deep into fall, and one of Atlanta's premier cultural events starts Thursday - the day after the Halloween parades.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta – based in Dunwoody  - will be the center of a festival that attracts 10,000 people based on its wide variety of authors and celebrity writers.

The nearly three week-long book festival features events across Atlanta, featuring 55 accomplished authors and some well-known people who have penned books.

For instance actor Andrew McCarthy will be part of the festival and actor Tony Danza, of “Taxi ” fame is part of the event. Again, thousands of people from across the metro area are expected to attend the event.

Learn all about the various events at the festival’s website. Call 678.812.4005 with any questions and to purchase tickets to the various events.

The book festival has a long tradition. It’s been in Atlanta for 21 years. Most events will be held right here in Dunwoody. The Dunwoody events will be held at the MJCCA.

Chck out some keynote authors making an appearance at this year’s book festival:

Award-winning travel writer and actor Andrew McCarthy (Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:00 pm); New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin (Sunday, Nov. 11, 8:15 pm); CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg (Sat, Nov. 10, 8:00 pm);

Television, screen, and stage star Tony Danza (Sat, Nov. 17, 8:00 pm); Celebrated author and screenwriter Delia Ephron (Thurs, Nov. 15, 12:30 pm); and Grammy Award-winning pianist, Michael Feinstein (Sun, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.)

World-renowned religious scholar and bestselling author Rabbi Harold Kushner (Mon, Nov. 12, 8:15 p.m.)

In addition to the numerous authors, highlights of the book festival include:

Sunday, Nov. 11, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; A family reading festival (presented by the PJ Library and the MJCCA’s Family Resource Center - free to the public.)

The featured ‘Family Reading Festival’ authors include: Eric Litwin, Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons; Jaqueline Dembar Green, Speak Up, Tommy!; Ben Halpert, Savvy Cyber Kids at Home; Sarene Shulimson, Lights Out Shabbat; Ann Redish Stampler, The Wooden Sword; with Jill Bloomfield, Maccabee Meals: Food and Fun for Hanukkah.

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 8:00 pm; (non-member fee: $18; Member: $13); Brew HA-HA: The parenting edition. This will be held at the Creative Loafing Atlanta office in Atlanta Station: 384 Northyards Blvd NW, #600, Atlanta.)

Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo, Sh*tty Moms (Zoellner & Ybarbo are both producers for NBC’s “The Today Show.” Dan Zevin, Dan Gets a Minivan (Zevin’s book was just optioned by Adam Sandler for a movie.