It's hard out there for a book fan.
In an economic recession, bibliophiles face a tough decision: to purchase or not to purchase. Books borrowed from libraries cost nothing, but you've got to give them back. Fortunately, it's time again for the Baltimore Book Festival.
While many books are available for sale at the festival, the City Paper Book Swap tent affords readers an opportunity to unload unwanted tomes while acquiring new literary adventures for free. Even festival-goers who don't leave a book for trade are encouraged to take selections from the expansive piles.
For 2009, the always free festival provides other solutions for book fans with financial woes. Many book discussions address recession issues, offering advice on attaining fiscal responsibility, eating cheaply and allowing the "super-rich" to save the world. (The latter, by the way, is a work of fiction.)
Why remind Baltimoreans about an ailing economy? Tracy Baskerville, communications director for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, says she hopes attendees will hear helpful advice "straight from the experts."
This year's festival begins earlier, inviting guests to Mount Vernon Place at noon Friday. The opening event of the Literary Salon features a discussion with Tory Johnson, author of "Fired to Hired."
Following Johnson, the panel discussion "Bounce Back from the Recession" begins at 1:30 p.m. The panel provides three perspectives on dealing with financial stress. Participants include Monique Tilford, "Your Money or Your Life;" Robert J. Wicks, "Bounce: Living the Resilient Life;" and Jacquette M. Timmons, "Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate."
Teaching a man to fish is one thing, but sometimes a man just wants to eat. At the Food for Thought tent, demonstrations provide hungry festival-goers with tasty morsels. At noon Friday, Lunch with Julia, a Julia Child-themed lunch event, features samples from local chefs, including former "Top Chef: Las Vegas" contestant Jesse Sandlin.
For a fictional take on how the world might overcome the perils of capitalism, see Ralph Nader at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Literary Salon. His novel, "Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!" casts real-life wealthy people (Warren Buffett and Ted Turner, for example) as social activists who strive for change.
Saturday includes another festival highlight. Buzz Aldrin's post-moonwalk experiences were no cakewalk, and the once self-destructive astronaut shares his story at 1 p.m. at the Literary Salon.
Sunday's speakers touch on a wide range of themes. Hear political commentary by Gwen Ifill as she shares observations from "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama" at 2 p.m. at the Literary Salon. For recollections of the entertainment industry, see Maureen McCormick relate tales from "Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice" at 4 p.m. at the Literary Salon.
Folks still hungry for economic recovery tips should consider the Food for Thought demonstration with Charles Mattocks at 3 p.m. Sunday. The author of "Eat Cheap but Eat Well" offers tips for frugal gourmands.
