LOS ANGELES TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS | THE LARGEST LITERARY GATHERING IN THE COUNTRY. WHERE 500+ VOICES SHARE ONE STAGE. STORIES, CELEBRITIES, AND CONVERSATIONS IN ONE PLACE. A FREE FESTIVAL OPEN TO EVERY KIND OF READER. PANELS, SIGNINGS, AND IDEAS ACROSS AN ENTIRE CAMPUS. WHERE BOOK LOVERS AND STORYTELLERS COLLIDE. A WEEKEND BUILT ON DISCOVERY, COMMUNITY, AND CREATIVITY. WHERE STORIES DON’T JUST LIVE, THEY CONNECT PEOPLE.
When the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books first began in 1996, it was built on a simple but powerful idea: bring books, authors, and readers together in a way that feels open, accessible, and alive. What started as a local literary gathering quickly grew into one of the largest and most celebrated book festivals in the United States. Over the years, LATFOB has become a cultural landmark, where storytelling goes beyond pages and becomes part of a shared, public experience.
Each year, the University of Southern California transforms into a vibrant literary space filled with energy, creativity, and conversation. Walk through the festival and you’ll find author panels, live discussions, book signings, performances, and interactive exhibits happening all at once. It’s not just about selling books. It’s about connecting people through ideas, perspectives, and stories that matter.
The 2026 festival continues that tradition, bringing together a diverse range of voices across genres, backgrounds, and styles. From emerging writers to established authors, the event celebrates storytelling in all its forms. It reflects a literary world that is constantly evolving, shaped by new ideas, cultural shifts, and the voices that dare to be heard.
Thousands of exhibitors take part in the festival, representing publishers, independent presses, educational institutions, and creative communities. The entire space becomes a living network of storytelling, where discovery happens naturally and every corner offers something new to explore.
Amid this dynamic and welcoming environment, Kravitz and Sons is proud to be part of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026. We’re excited to exhibit Peelin’ the Onion by Melva T. L. Smith, a raw and heartfelt collection of poetry that reflects love, joy, pain, and everything in between.
This book feels personal in the best way. It opens up real emotions and moments that many people go through but do not always say out loud. It reminds readers that life is not always smooth, but you keep going anyway. This work carries its own voice, perspective, and purpose, offering readers something both meaningful and relatable. As it steps into a space built for connection and discovery, it stands ready to meet readers who are looking for words that feel honest and real.
The Voice Behind the Words
Melva T. L. Smith brings a creative and expressive energy into her writing. Her background shows a love for different forms of art, from music to dance to storytelling, and that mix gives her poetry a natural rhythm. It does not feel forced. It feels like something that just flows the way real emotions do.
Her style is simple but effective. She does not try to complicate feelings with big words. Instead, she keeps it clear, letting the message hit naturally. That makes her work easy to connect with because it feels like someone sharing their thoughts with you, not talking over you.
A Closer Look at Life Through Poetry
This collection is not built around one single story or character. Instead, it brings together different moments, feelings, and experiences that reflect real life. You will find pieces about love, happiness, struggle, and growth. Each poem feels like a small window into a different part of life.
The “setting” shifts depending on the emotion being explored. One moment feels light and hopeful, the next more reflective or heavy. That balance keeps the collection interesting because it mirrors how life actually works. It is not just one feeling all the time. It changes, sometimes without warning.
The message of the book is clear without being loud about it. Life can be tough, unpredictable, and even overwhelming, but you keep moving forward. There is strength in continuing, even when things are not perfect. It encourages readers to face challenges, sit with their emotions, and still choose to keep living.
Why These Words Stay With You
This is the kind of book you come back to. Not because it demands attention, but because it understands something about real life that many people feel but cannot always explain. It meets you where you are.
Peelin' the Onion
Take a moment, turn the page, and see what speaks to you.