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LéaLA, or more properly Feria del Libro en Español de Los Angeles, is the first major Spanish-language book fair to be held in the U.S. It grew out of the Guadalajara International Book Fair that focused on Los Angeles in December 2009. LéaLA is organized by the University of Guadalajara and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Public Library. It opens Friday and runs through Sunday at the Convention Center, with free admission. From the flackage:
LeaLA will feature an impressive gathering of highly acclaimed authors from the literary, cultural and entertainment worlds. More than 100 publishers and 80 authors will showcase their works from fiction to non-fiction, with topics ranging from history to empowerment, for everyone from book aficionados to children just learning to read, in Spanish and English. The jam-packed literary and cultural program will complement the sale of books and give the public a close-up look at the wonders of the written page in an entertaining way.Confirmed authors include: Isabel Allende, Laura Restrepo, Francisco Martin Moreno, Xavier Velasco, Sealtiel Alatriste, Carmen Boullosa, Sanjuana Martinez, Paco Ignacio Taibo II, and Sandra Lorenzano. Also participating will be the Director of the Royal Spanish Academy, Jose Manuel Blecua; former Miss Universe, Dayanara Torres; legendary singing superstar, Jose Jose; actress Kate del Castillo, and more celebrities who will read to children in the kids' zone.
Shuttle service will run between the Convention Center, Union Station and the Times Festival of Books at USC. Coverage: Downtown News, LA Independent