Images: Presenters and Writers at the 2025 Literary Festival of our Site
Kick-starting the Weekend at the Festival of Books
Feeling the vibe of literary greatness overtaking USC's campus this weekend? That's right, it's the annual Festival of Books! This shindig brings together an eclectic mix of esteemed authors and celebs from the entertainment world and beyond. Here's a sneak peek at some of our A-list guests that graced our photo studio, jam-packed with panels and events across the festival:
The Prominents
- Amanda Gorman, the young gunslinger who inked the 2025 picture book "Girls on the Rise" and broke records as the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, captivated fans with her moving words at President Biden's inauguration. izzard
- Wil Wheaton rose to fame in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and is unforgettable as Gordie Lachance in the film "Stand by Me."
- JoJo, a powerhouse singer and songwriter with a chart-topping R&B and pop discography, landed a spot at this year's festival.
- Hannah Berner's Midas touch of humor spread across the Festival during her appearances as a talented comedian and author.
- Nikki Toscano demonstrated her versatility and suaveness as a writer, producer, and showrunner for TV, with her latest project being co-showrunner and executive producer of "Hunters" on Amazon Prime.
- Andrew Plotkin also graced us with his presence as executive vice president of drama development at Sony TV.
- Liz Moore caught everyone's attention with her 2024 New York Times bestselling novel "The God of the Woods."
But wait, there's more!
- Rebecca Yarros, mastermind behind the 2025 novel "Onyx Storm" and renowned for the Empyrean fantasy book series, which will be adapted into a television series with Amazon.
- Krysten Ritter wowed us with her leading roles in the Emmy-winning Netflix series "Jessica Jones" and AMC's "Breaking Bad."
- Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner teamed up and charmed us with their comedic insight in the 2025 book "How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously."
- Jason De León, the brilliant anthropologist and author of 2024's "Soldiers and Kings," shared profound insights into the world of human migration.
And there you have it! The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is a literary extravaganza like no other, featuring an incredible selection of authors and celebrities ready to enlighten the minds of attendees. So gear up, bookworms, and grab a front-row seat – the show's about to begin!
- At the Festival of Books in Los Angeles, California, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, Amanda Gorman, captured hearts with her moving words from her 2025 book "Girls on the Rise."
- Jessica Jones star, Krysten Ritter, enthralled attendees with her roles in acclaimed television series like "Jessica Jones" and "Breaking Bad."
- Poet and author, Jason De León, shared profound insights about human migration in his 2024 book "Soldiers and Kings."
- Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, known for their comedic insight, charmed the Festival with their 2025 book "How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously."
- TV star Wil Wheaton, famous for his roles in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Stand by Me," graced the Festival with his presence.
- JoJo, a chart-topping pop-culture icon in the R&B and pop music scene, presented her music and stories at the Festival of Books.
- In the world of entertainment and television, Nikki Toscano made a notable impact as a writer, producer, and showrunner, with her works topping the charts and influencing pop-culture discussions in 2025.
