In this episode of The Archive Project, we take you behind the scenes at the 2024 Portland Book Festival, hosted by Literary Arts in downtown Portland on November 2, 2024. The festival featured over 100 writers in more than 50 events throughout the day.

Our editor and producer Matthew Workman is stepping in front of the microphone for this one, guiding you through the festival as he searches for festival authors and asks them to share their book recommendations. You’ll not only get a behind the scenes look at the festival, but you’ll get plenty of books to add to your own to-read list or maybe for gift inspiration this season.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe, author of Thunder Song.

Tracy O’Neill, author of Woman of Interest.

Mat Johnson, author of Invisible Things.

Lupita Aquino, known as @Lupita.Reads on Instagram and TikTok.

Kristen Arnett, author of With Teeth.

Margaux Meganck, author of the childrens picture book Speck.

And Brian Evenson, author of Good Night Sleep Tight.

With the holiday season upon us, we hope you get some gift-giving inspiration from this weeks episode. You’ll also get a peek behind the scenes at the festival, where authors geek out about their fellow authors.

We hope you enjoy this taste of Portland Book Festival! Stay tuned for more episodes from Portland Book Festival later this season.