Literary Festivals Around the World

Literary festivals are my kind of adventure: thought-provoking panels, charming book stalls, unexpected author encounters, and the buzz of ideas in the air. One moment I’m sipping coffee while chatting with a debut novelist, the next I’m lining up for a keynote with a literary legend.

I’m under a marquee at the foot of the Alps, notebook in hand, caught between the scent of fresh paperbacks and a breeze off Lake Geneva—all during the dreamy charm of Switzerland’s Le Livre sur les Quais. Who knew a book festival could feel like a vacation for both the mind and soul?

Just a train ride away is the iconic Edinburgh International Book Festival, where I get lost in cobbled lanes between readings and let the city’s literary spirit sweep me up. For pure magic, I’ll always love Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in Bali—set among lush rice paddies and temples, it’s equal parts inspiration and escape. And when I want a deep dive into Southern storytelling, The Southern Festival of Books in Nashville hits all the right notes with its warm hospitality and big ideas.

"Books, bold ideas, and beautiful places? Count me in."