Yes, it's that time of year -- Miami Book Fair time! I don't make it to this event every year but I always regret it when I don't. For avid readers, it's an amazing opportunity to hear all kinds of writers, including old favorites and new discoveries, live and in person and at an insanely reasonable cost -- it used to be free; now they charge a whopping $5 for the whole weekend. Sure, there's the cost of getting to Miami for us outlanders but gas has come way down (thanks, global recession!) and I, at least, have no shame in freeloading off friends for the sake of great literary access. Now if only I can keep the book purchases to a bare minimum ...

New this year is a requirement to order tickets ahead of time for all events in the Chapman auditorium -- you can find out about that and lots more at the Book Fair website, above.