Tucson Festival of Books

This was my first trip to the Tucson Festival of Book, and my wife and I enjoyed it very much. It's very similar to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and the crowds are almost as large. Since it's held early in March, the weather was great, and we didn't have to worry about extreme heat. It's held on the University of Arizona campus that has lots of large benches all over the campus in case you need to sit awhile since you'll be doing a lot of walking. The author panels were well run, and they have lots of volunteers in case you can't find where to go. We are already planning on going again next year since we had such a good time.

Outstanding! The Tucson Festival of Books is one of the premier reading/learning events in the country, bringing to town a richly diverse group of authors that spans from emerging indie writers to Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists. There's a genre for everyone here -- whether you're a reader into hard-hitting journalism, poetry, or fiction or you're a creator wanting to explore the latest in the world of publishing, you'll find it at the TFOB! A true treasure for the community!

It has been many years since we have attended this event, until today. We decided to go check it out. Boy has it grown!! They had so many very cool things for the kiddos to do-lots of hands on activities too! I really appreciate that they have the food booths at either end of this event. This way--when you get hungry-you don't have to go all the way back to the other side to get something! No matter which direction you were headed--there will be food tents when you reached the end!! It was nice to have the different bands throughout the event too--made walking around super enjoyable! There really is something for everyone! Plus you add the fact that this is a free event to just walk around in--is an extra added bonus to your wallet! It was a great day out for sure!The only thing they need to work on is parking! It was pretty hard to come by! Kind of blew my mind that they had a parking garage strictly dedicated to the parking of the authors! I don't think there were that many authors that they took up an entire parking garage!!!

Four stars because of the content ... getting better each year. There seems to be something for every level of interest. We have attended nine out of the ten years the Tucson Festival of Books has been in existence. Happy atmosphere, in-depth lectures, well known authors, hands on demonstrations, and really enjoyable performances. Something for everyone. Unique and brilliant. Now for the downsides this year...1) Tickets for popular speakers ... available to those who can afford to contribute money to the festival and to volunteers first... 2) Very little consideration by some volunteers for those with disabilities. --filling up spaces set aside for those with physical disabilities with people who were first in line (and could be first because wheelchairs do not move as fast as those who can run) ... so no spaces left at wheelchair tables because they were filled when we got in. --rudeness (raised voice, angry condescending tone, dismissive gesture) by lead volunteer/coordinator Sandie at one popular ticketed lecture when I asked if there were any spaces left for wheelchairs. We were late and the unticketed line had been let in.Sandie denied that any spaces were reserved for disabled people and lectured me disapprovingly, scolding me as if I were a child and insisting that I should have known that it was first come first served. She made a scene over it while others gathered around. ...second instance of this when we asked while in line for a different speaker on the next day. This time, however, the volunteer was firm but courteous about saying 'No" to my inquiry about available spaces to accommodate wheelchair access. After we had reached the front of the line, however, she led us directly to a table with wheelchair access. Perhaps it had been made available after we asked about it. I do think, however, that we should not have been made to feel that we were inconveniencing an able bodied person so that we could have access to space designed and reserved for those who need it.3) Entertaining as the more colorful free speech advocates of marijuana and fundamentalist Christian advocates were, I was uncomfortable with the aggressive, intimidating approaches of the latter and the questionable product of the former being advocated to the many children and teens nearby.Overall, this festival is an amazing community event. I hope it continues to be free for everyone and that the idea of tickets is abandoned or, at least, their availability is widely advertised and available without favoritism. I also hope that whoever trains the volunteers has good familiarity and understanding of the needs of physically disabled persons. Most of all, please vet volunteers for kindness and compassion. Most of them were wonderful. Maybe next year all of them will be.

I volunteered with my company this year and had sooo much fun! There was stuff for people of all ages

First time at the TFoB. Won't be the last. Went Sunday afternoon. A bit more chill than the frantic crowds of Saturday, or so we've been told. Went to see a specific author. Saw her and got an autograph. Total geekdom. Lots of vendors in the mall. Literary stuff, food vendors and entertainment. Well organized. Lots of helpful volunteers. It's non profit and for a good cause. Read more. Introduce someone else to the joy of reading. A mind is a horrible thing to waste.

I recommend Tucson Festival of Books. I got some good deals on books and my little one had a bust. But something made me feel uncomfortable today at the Southern Arizona Transportation booth. We stopped at the booth in the children's book area because they have some Thomas staff and my little girl loves trains. When she went over there and play with the train in front of their table, the guy in the booth start giving away coloring books. I thought thats awesome because my kid loves coloring books. But he was giving them to all the kids except my girl. Even she was like right next to him. He even got out of the booth, passed my kid, passed me and my mom, and giving coloring books to the kids who were behind us (They weren't even stopping at the booth, they were just walking by). And nobody at the booth say hi or talk to us. It was just an uncomfortable feeling like we were invisible. So I had to tell my girl we should go we are not welcome here. After we left, my mom was like "Why they give every kid coloring book but not XXX(my kid's name)? Is it because we are chinese?" I honestly dont know, but I will definitly wont take my kid to the museum anymore even I have been wanting to take her.

Its a great event. The crowds are very large. You see every type of person under the sun walking around. You see world famous authors and some who hope to be. Every genre possible is present. My only complaint is how hard it is to get into some famous author's session, even if located in a hall with over 350 seats. Some lines getting in sessions are a 100 yards long.

Always one of my family's favorite traditions each year. Well organized, great authors, and so much to do you need to plan your schedule ahead of time. Was so happy to have it back this year!

Very disappointing. For starters, we weren't allowed to park, even though I'm an author. God knows how ordinary visitors were treated. The event has grown beyond its competence. They should spread it out to two weekends. Staff was overwhelmed. Second, only the favored few had access to tickets. Sessions filled to capacity, leaving most out in the heat. Very disappointing and frustrating. Third, food lines were too long and many vendors had their "B" teams on duty. Finally, lots of bad-tempered kiosk people. I felt sorry for them. There was nothing for them to do but apologize and shrug. Bad, bad karma. I won't be back and recommend you stay away, too. Go instead to Antigone Books or Bookman's. This event is a plague to avoid st all costs unless and until they fix it.