Northshire Booktopia 2024

Northshire bookstore is thrilled to gather readers and writers together for an intimate weekend of talks, signings, celebration and more in beautiful Manchester Center, Vermont.

Our featured authors for 2024 are Chris Bohjalian, Sylvie Cathrall, Ryan Chapman, Caroline Leavitt, Karin Lin-Greenberg, Mary Beth Keane, Amitava Kumar, GennaRose Nethercott, Shannon Reed and Simon Van Booy.

On Friday, April 26th, Booktopians will gather for a customized book recommendation event hosted by Northshire's expert booksellers, enjoy author presentations and then gather for a lovely celebration dinner (including literary trivia) at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel.

Saturday, April 27th will feature a full day of author presentations and the Saturday night "big event" - short readings and a group signing by seven remarkable authors. Please note that Simon Van Booy will present sessions on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, but will not be in attendance at the Saturday night reading.

This year's festival will conclude on Sunday, April 28th at Southern Vermont Arts Center with Chris Bohjalian in conversation with Joe Donahue of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio on his book The Princess of Las Vegas.

It is possible to purchase tickets for all three days, Saturday and Sunday only, or just Sunday's event with Chris Bohjalian. All two- or three-day tickets include a $50 Northshire Bookstore gift card. All tickets come with a discount code good for $10 off The Princess of Las Vegas if ordered at northshire.com by April 21.

Venue Information:

• Booktopia check-in for two- and three-day ticket holders will take place at Northshire Bookstore's main entrance on April 26 and 27
• All Booktopia presentations on April 26 and 27 will take place either at Northshire Bookstore's Manchester store or at the First Baptist Church, across the street from the store.
• Dinner on Friday, April 26th will be at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel at 3835 Main Street.
• The event with Chris Bohjalian on Sunday, April 28th will take place in the Arkell Pavilion at Southern Vermont Arts Center.

Lodging Information:

We hope you will stay at one of our partner hotels during your Booktopia visit!

• Barnstead Inn: Rates starting at $168 / night. Mention Booktopia when reserving at by phone at 802-362-1619.

• Kimpton Taconic Hotel: Special Booktopia rates start at $139.00/night. Book directly here or call the Central Reservations Office at 877.699.3331 and ask to stay for the Northshire Booktopia Dinner or give the code: PIA.

• Reluctant Panther Inn: Booktopia attendees get a 20% discount, with rates starting at $239.20/night for guests who mention BOOKTOPIA while booking.

• Toll Road Inn: Booktopia attendees will pay $115/night for a room with 2 double beds and $135/night for a room with a king bed. Book online at tollroadinn.com and use the code BOOKTOPIA.

If you have questions about this or any other Northshire event, please reach out to us at events@northshire.com

Please note that this is the schedule as of 4/5/24. There may be small adjustments between now and April 26. We will update our eventbrite page with any changes, and will have the final schedule available at check-in.

Friday, April 26th

10:00–11:00 am­: Check in & badge pick-up­ at Northshire Bookstore

Stop in to pick up your name badge, weekend schedule, and $50 Northshire Bookstore Gift Card. Later arrivals will be able to check in with a bookseller at the front service desk.

11:00–11:15 am: Booktopia Welcome & Announcements (First Baptist Church Sanctuary)

Join us for the official kickoff to Booktopia 2024 with announcements by Northshire Bookstore co-owner, Nicole Ihasz. In addition to welcoming you all to Booktopia, we’ll review the schedule of events, make some announcements, and encourage you to tag us @northshirebooks in any social media posts and with #Booktopia2024, and go over any last minute information.

11:15 am–12:30 pm: This Gift Card is Burning a Hole in My Pocket! (First Baptist Church Sanctuary)

You have a newly minted Northshire Bookstore gift card in your pocket: what should you buy? During this session, our expert booksellers Alden, Cathy, Stan, Nicole, Rachel and Jess will share with you some of their favorite book recommendations.

Lunch Break 12:30-2

2:00–3:00 pm: Author Session F1 (Multiple Locations)

1. Simon Van Booy - Sipsworth - Northshire Bookstore Events Space
2. Mary Beth Keane - The Half Moon - First Baptist Church Vestibule
3. Karin Lin-Greenberg - You Are Here - First Baptist Church Sanctuary

3:15–4:15 pm: Author Session F2 (Multiple Locations)

1. Ryan Chapman - The Audacity - Northshire Bookstore Events Space
2. Caroline Leavitt - Days of Wonder - First Baptist Church Sanctuary
3. Sylvie Cathrall - A Letter to the Luminous Deep - First Baptist Church Vestibule

4:30-6:00: Yankee Book Swap (meet in first Baptist Church Vestibule)

If you would like to participate in the Yankee Book Swap, bring (or buy!) a wrapped copy of a book that means something to you - most are new, but it could be very lightly used, something you are comfortable giving as a gift. Once someone chooses the book you brought from the pile, you will say something about that book and why you like it. When it’s your turn to choose, you can keep the book you opened, or ‘steal’ from (swap with) anyone who has already gotten a book. This is a wonderful way to get to know other readers at Booktopia, learn about books you may have never heard of, share some laughs, and perhaps go home with a book you really love.

6:30–9:30 pm: The Celebration Dinner at the Kimpton Taconic - 3835 Main Street

Enjoy a lovely buffet dinner and a cash bar, and chat with authors and booksellers. Northshire will host book themed trivia during dinner with small prizes from the bookstore.

Saturday, April 27

8:30–9:00 am­: Check in & badge pick-up­ at Northshire Bookstore

Stop in to pick up your name badge, weekend schedule, and $50 Northshire Bookstore Gift Card. Later arrivals will be able to check in with a bookseller at the front service desk.

9:00–10:00 am: Author Session S1 (Multiple Locations)

1. Simon Van Booy, Sipsworth - First Baptist Church Sanctuary
2. GennaRose Nethercott - Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart - First Baptist Church Vestibule
3. Caroline Leavitt - Days of Wonder - Northshire Bookstore Events Space

10:00-10:30: Simon Van Booy book signing

10:30–11:30 am: Author Session S2 (Multiple Locations)

1. Mary Beth Keane - The Half Moon - Northshire Bookstore Events Space
2. Amitava Kumar - My Beloved Life - First Baptist Church Vestibule
3. Shannon Reed - Why We Read - First Baptist Church Sanctuary

11:45–12:45 pm: A Conversation (and book picks!) with Emily Crowe

Emily Crowe, one of Northshire’s Penguin Random House sales reps will discuss her career (and her recent transition from bookseller to publishing insider) with Northshire’s Director of Events Rachel Person. Crowe then will share some of her book recommendations and recent favorites.

Lunch Break 12:45-2:15

2:15–3:15 pm: Author Session S3 (Multiple Locations)

1. Karin Lin-Greenberg - You Are Here - First Baptist Church Sanctuary
2. Ryan Chapman - The Audacity - First Baptist Church Vestibule
3. Shannon Reed - Why We Read - Northshire Bookstore Event Space

3:30–4:30 pm: Author Session S4 (Multiple Locations)

1. Amitava Kumar - My Beloved Life - First Baptist Church Sanctuary
2. GennaRose Nethercott - Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart - First Baptist Church Vestibule
3. Sylvie Cathrall - A Letter to the Luminous Deep - Northshire Bookstore Event Space

5:00–7:00 pm: The Big Event! (First Baptist Church Sanctuary)

Sylvie Cathrall, Ryan Chapman, Caroline Leavitt, Karin Lin-Greenberg, Mary Beth Keane, Amitava Kumar, GennaRose Nethercott, and Shannon Reed will all read from their books. The reading will be followed by a group book signing at Northshire Bookstore on the main level.

Sunday April 28

1:00 pm: Chris Bohjalian in conversation - The Arkell Pavilion at the Southern Vermont Arts Center - 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Drive

Bohjalian will discuss his new novel, The Princess of Las Vegas, with Joe Donahue of WAMC / Northeast Public Radio. The conversation will be followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase at Northshire’s sales table at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.