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 Bipolar: A Difficult Life by Monika Rossa Wheatley, a raw and emotionally grounded memoir that steps into the reality many families quietly face. It follows a mother navigating the overwhelming, unpredictable world of mental illness, where love is constant but control is not.
This work carries its own voice, perspective, and purpose, offering readers something both meaningful and unforgettable. It does not try to polish the truth. It shows it as it is. As it enters a space built for connection and discovery, it stands ready to meet readers who are looking for something real, something that lingers even after the last page.
A Life Shaped by Experience and Expression
There’s something different when a story is written by someone who has lived through more than one kind of struggle. Monika Rossa Wheatley brings that depth into her writing. From growing up in Poland under a strict regime to rebuilding her life in the United States, her journey is already layered with resilience. Add to that her life as a mother of five, an artist, and someone constantly adapting to change, and you start to see where her voice comes from.
Her writing does not feel distant or staged. It feels like someone sitting across from you, telling you the truth even when it is uncomfortable. She does not hide behind complex language or dramatic storytelling tricks. Instead, she leans into honesty. That is what makes her voice stand out. It is direct, emotional, and grounded in real life. You can feel that every page comes from lived experience, not just imagination.
Inside the Story That Hits Close to Home
Bipolar: A Difficult Life is about a mother and her son, but that description barely scratches the surface. The story follows Alex, a young man whose mental health begins to unravel in ways that are confusing, frightening, and impossible to control. One moment he is full of ideas and energy, the next he is spiraling into behavior that leaves everyone around him trying to catch up.
The setting moves through everyday places that suddenly feel unfamiliar. Homes, hospitals, streets, even simple family dinners become tense and unpredictable. You see how quickly normal life can shift. Monika is not just a narrator here. She is a mother trying to hold everything together while watching her son slip into something she cannot fix. That tension drives the story forward.
What makes the book powerful is how it balances love and helplessness. Monika never stops caring for her son, even when he pushes back, even when things get worse. The story explores mental illness, family strain, and the cracks in support systems that are supposed to help but often fall short. It also shows the quiet strength it takes to keep going when there is no clear solution. It is not just about struggle. It is about endurance.
A Story That Stays With You
Some books entertain. This one stays with you because it feels real. If you are looking for something honest, something that does not pretend life is easy, this is worth your time.
Bipolar
A Difficult Life
Step into a story that tells the truth and see it for yourself.