Book Group Expo Creates a “Spa Day for the Brain” Amy Tan and Khaled Hosseini are featured among more than 50+ authors! San Jose Convention Center (San Jose), Saturday, June 17; Sunday, June 18.

Amy Tan, whose books are standard reading in most book groups in the United States, and Khaled Hosseini, whose first novel Kite Runner has become a major nationwide bestseller, will both appear at the inaugural Book Group Expo. They will be part of a 50+ lineup of authors at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18.

Book Group Expo is being billed as a “Spa Day for Your Brain.” It is an opportunity for the thousands of serious readers and book group members from throughout the Bay Area to experience a unique interactive program built around reading and discussing literature, as well as discovering new writers.

Amy Tan notes, "Book Group Expo is a fabulous concept. What a great opportunity for writers to meet their readers and readers to meet the writers whose works they discuss in their groups. It is really book group readers who are keeping literature thriving and relevant, and who can bring good books to a wider audience.”

Part salon, part marketplace, and part marvelous party, Book Group Expo brings together a wide variety of book lovers, and authors under one roof. "The response from authors and publishers has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive,” reports co-founder James P. Reber. “Book groups are continuing to grow and our research shows seven out of 10 books groups sampled associate "good books, with good food and good wine."
The book group phenomenon has had a profound impact on the publishing world, bringing unknown authors to the forefront of literature.
The book group experience is as much a social gathering as a literary one, which will be reflected in the ancillary activities at Book Group Expo. These include a number of features related to the book group and reading experience. Readers are will converse with authors, eat chocolate, attend lively discussions, taste wine, have books signed, sample desserts, enjoy cooking demonstrations, meet other like-minded readers.
Other attending authors include; Kim Addonizio, Dorothy Allison, James Dalessandro, Andrew Sean Greer, Khaled Hosseini, Edward Humes, Mary McGarry Morris, Lalita Tademy, Luis Alberto Urrea, Ayelet Waldman…and many more…

The Book Group Expo Program Team of Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Susanne Pari, both published authors by who have many years of publishing industry experience who are just as passionate about providing a comfortable venue for authors as they are about providing exciting salons for readers. Ms. Goldmark is the producer of the popular KQED Saturday-morning show “West Coast Live” and author of And My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You. Ms. Pari is an Iranian-American writer whose bestselling novel The Fortune Catcher includes insight from her own unique life experiences.

Over 30 salon experiences are scheduled over these two days that include author readings, literary talks, interviews, panel presentations, discussions, and book signings. Topics will run the gamut from lively debates about group dynamics and discovering new books to reading the classics and book group passions.

Tickets are limited and special rates for book groups are available; for more information visit www.bookgroupexpo.com; or call the toll free ticket hotline 1-800-838-3006. Ticket prices in advance: $28 for full access for both days; $25 per ticket if purchased in blocks of 8 or more. Ticket prices day of the event: $32 at the door (21 and over); $16 student price (13-20) with valid student ID. Tickets are also available at Cody’s, Book Passages, Books Inc, Kepler’s and Book Smart.


About Book Group Expo:
Founded by Ann Kent and James P. Reber Book Group Expo is an innovative experience bringing together book lovers and author in an intimate and conversational way. To learn more about book group expo, or to purchase a ticket please visit www.bookgroupexpo.com.

Advance ticket price: $28 each; or $25 when purchased in blocks of 8 or more. Tickets can be purchased through partner independent bookstores, toll free hotline number1-800-838-3006, as well as the above web site. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Bring Me A Book Foundation (www.bringmeabook.org).