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 Because I Knew You Were Mine: A Memoir of Forgiveness by Patricia Serio Stroberg, a deeply personal story that explores childhood abandonment, emotional wounds, and the long road toward healing. It brings readers into a life shaped by pain but ultimately defined by strength, resilience, and the choice to forgive.
This work carries its own voice, perspective, and purpose, offering readers something both meaningful and memorable. As it steps into a space built for connection and discovery, it stands ready to meet readers who are looking for stories that stay with them long after the final page.
A Life That Turned Pain Into Purpose
Patricia Stroberg’s story is not one that starts easy. As a child, she faced abandonment, confusion, and a sense of not belonging. Questions about family, identity, and love followed her early on, and the answers were never simple.
But what makes her journey stand out is what she did with that pain. Instead of letting it define her, she turned it into something meaningful. She built a multimillion dollar business, raised a family, and became someone who gives back to others who are struggling. Her life shows that where you start does not have to be where you end.
Even now, in her later years, she continues to inspire. Supporting entrepreneurs, helping trauma survivors, and sharing her story so others can find their own way forward.
A Journey Through Pain, Healing, and Forgiveness
This memoir takes you straight into the heart of her experiences. From a young girl left searching for answers to a woman learning how to rebuild her life, every stage feels real and honest. The settings move from childhood uncertainty to adulthood challenges, showing how each phase shaped who she became.
The people in her life play important roles, not just as characters, but as forces that either challenged or shaped her growth. A father returning from war, a mother struggling with mental illness, and a family dynamic filled with silence and unanswered questions. These are not just background details, they are the foundation of her story.
At the center of everything is forgiveness. Not the easy kind, but the kind that takes time, reflection, and strength. The book shows that healing is not instant. It is a process. And through that process, she finds purpose, builds a life, and creates something meaningful out of what once felt broken.
A Story That Speaks to Anyone Who Has Struggled
There is something in this story that feels familiar, even if the details are different. The idea of carrying pain, trying to understand it, and eventually finding a way to move forward. That is something a lot of people can relate to.
What makes this book powerful is that it does not pretend everything is perfect. It shows the struggle, the setbacks, and the slow progress toward something better. And in that honesty, readers can see a bit of themselves.
Step Into a Story That Shows Healing Is Possible
If you have ever wondered whether your past can truly be left behind or transformed into something meaningful, this book gives you that answer. It is real, it is inspiring, and it reminds you that healing is always within reach.
Because I Knew You Were Mine
A Memoir of Forgiveness
Take the first step into a story that could change how you see your own