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 New Beginnings: The First Year in Office the Parallel of Two Icons Barack Obama and Michael Jackson by Allen Shay, a thought-provoking exploration that connects two powerful figures through the lens of purpose, timing, and impact. It brings together history and personal reflection, showing how two different lives can still share patterns that inspire generations.
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 Shapes the Perspective
Allen Shay’s background is anything but ordinary, and that shows in how he approaches storytelling. Coming from an aristocratic family in India and later building a life shaped by business, agriculture, and personal trials, his experiences give him a wide lens when looking at history and human purpose.
His journey took a major turn after facing cancer, and that moment seems to influence how he sees life now. There is a deeper sense of reflection in his work, like someone who has had to stop, rethink, and find meaning beyond the surface. That perspective gives his writing a sense of weight without making it feel heavy.
You can tell he writes with intention. Not just to inform, but to connect ideas and show readers something they might not have considered before.
Where Two Icons Meet One Purpose
This book brings together two figures most people would never think to compare. Barack Obama, stepping into history as the first Black president of the United States, and Michael Jackson, a global icon whose influence in music and culture remains unmatched. Different worlds, different paths, but somehow connected.
The story looks at their journeys through what the author calls the three Cs. Contradictions, Cycles, and Choices. These elements shape how their lives unfolded, showing that success is not just about talent or opportunity. It is about the decisions made along the way and how they respond to challenges.
The settings move between politics and entertainment, but the core idea stays the same. Both men reached levels that changed history, and their stories offer lessons about purpose, resilience, and timing.
A Reflection That Sticks With You
What makes this book stand out is how it invites you to think. It is not just about learning facts or revisiting history. It is about seeing patterns and asking yourself where you fit in your own journey.
It makes you look at your choices, your cycles, and even your contradictions. The idea that purpose is not random but shaped over time starts to feel more real the deeper you go into the book.
A Perspective Worth Exploring
If you are someone who likes looking at life from a different angle, this book gives you that space. It connects history, personal growth, and purpose in a way that feels both thoughtful and relatable.
New Beginnings
The First Year in Office the Parallel of Two Icons Barack Obama and Michael Jackson
Take a closer look and discover the patterns that shape greatness