November 2025

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Annual Book Festival 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, at George Memorial Library in Richmond. This year’s event features “FBCL Community Reads” author Amanda Churchill, as well as festive activities for all ages.

FBCL’s Book Festival highlights the talent of local authors – both professional and amateur – while bringing together readers of all ages for a day full of activities, performances, and bookish fun celebrating the art of writing, literacy, storytelling, creativity, and community.

The keynote address by Amanda Churchill will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library. Churchill is the author of The Turtle House, the book selected for Fort Bend County Libraries’ 2025 “Community Reads” initiative, which encourages readers throughout the county to read and share their thoughts on the year’s chosen novel by a Texas author.

In her author talk, Churchill will share the background of her debut novel, The Turtle House, which is inspired by her own grandmother’s memories, lucky turtles, and her discovery of the true meaning of finding and defining oneself despite what society thinks.

She will also talk about the process of building a family-history novel and the importance of documenting family stories so they can be shared with future generations.

While her family stories formed the basis for the novel, certain aspects were fictionalized, and she “colored in” empty spaces with extensive research of places and time periods.

A resident of Keller, Texas, Churchill was a Writer’s League of Texas 2021 Fellow, received support from Tin House and Community of Writers, and holds a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of North Texas.

The Book Festival will also feature activities designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.

In keeping with the Japanese-American themes in The Turtle House, a “Yosakoi Dance Performance” – featuring the Clements High School Yosakoi Dancers – is scheduled in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater behind the library. Yosakoi is a kind of dance that originated in Kouchi prefecture in southern Japan. It combines traditional and modern song and dance and is iconic for its use of naruko, wooden clappers held in the hands.

Readers will have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. Interact with published writers Taki Zyngtara, Rebecca Torellas, Marcus Sabom, and many others who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Books will be available for sale and signing.

A Kids’ Book Carnival -- featuring games and activities for the younger book lovers – will be set up in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.

Also in the Bohachevsky Gallery, visit with local groups and organizations who will be sharing information about their community resources.

A Book Lovers Raffle will take place at 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room, just prior to the keynote address by Amanda Churchill. Enter to win books, swag, and must-have goodies for readers! A bonus raffle drawing -- for readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries “Community Reads” initiative by reading The Turtle House and attending one of the library system’s book-club meetings in September, October, and November – will also take place.

About the FBCL Book Festival

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend.

Visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater.

The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library.

The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).