Book Group Expo Returns to San Jose June 2007 - Khaled Hosseini and Anna Quindlen join 50+ Authors for Book Group Expo: Chapter Two!

book group expo, the unique weekend event that's part salon, part marketplace and part marvelous party, is returning to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center on June 8, 9 and June 10, 2007 with a stellar list of authors and Literary Salons for its second year. book group expo will bring together people who love books -- avid readers, acclaimed authors, book club and reading groups, up-and-coming writers, and booksellers. This year's event kicks off with internationally acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) in a special Friday night Literary Salon where he will read from his much anticipated second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns and then share an evening in conversation with Susanne Pari, author and Program Director for book group expo. (This will be a limited seating event Friday, June 8 at 6:30pm.)

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2007 -- book group expo, the unique weekend event that's part salon, part marketplace and part marvelous party, is returning to the San Jose McEnery Convention Center on June 8, 9 and June 10, 2007 with a stellar list of authors and Literary Salons for its second year.

Once again, book group expo will bring together people who love books -- avid readers, acclaimed authors, book club and reading group members, up-and-coming writers, booksellers, and book group experts. This year's event kicks off with internationally acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) in a special Friday night Literary Salon where he will read from his much anticipated second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns and then share an evening in conversation with Susanne Pari, author and Program Director for book group expo. (This will be a limited seating event Friday, June 8 at 6:30pm.)

Author Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club, Saving Fish From Drowning: A Novel), a leading participant in the inaugural event called book group expo, "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." - It's no wonder fellow luminaries such as Anna Qindlen (Rise and Shine and Roy Blount, Jr. Long Time Leaving - Dispatches From Up South) will be participating this year.

This two-day gathering features an upbeat and engaging atmosphere of "literary salons," which will feature dozens of excellent authors and Book Club Mavens including: James D. Houston, Bird of Another Heaven; Terry Jentz, Strange Piece of Paradise; Jane Austin's Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler (film set to release January 2007), Carolyn Jourdan, Heart in the Right Place; Aimee Liu, Gaining, Diana Loevy, The Book Club Companion, Jim Lynch, The Highest Tide, Mary Mackey, The Notorious Mrs. Winston; Ron McLarty, Traveler; Peggy Orenstein, Waiting for Daisy; Marisa de los Santos, Love Walked In; Peter Sussman, Decca; and Lalita Tademy, Red River, among others.

(A complete list can be found at www.bookgroupexpo.com.)

"The response to our first effort was amazing. book group expo really seemed to resonate with book group and book club members, as well as with readers in general," states Co-producer and founder, Ann Kent. "We anticipate audience growth in 2007, and we are committed to maintaining the warm and friendly atmosphere that our audience truly enjoys." Co-founder Reber adds, "This event worked well for readers, authors and other businesses that want to connect with this community. It was a terrific two day experience."

In 2006 book group expo re-introduced the notion of Literary Salons that were so popular in the 1800's. These salons bring authors together with readers in a way that shifts the conversations book clubs and reading groups are having in their homes out into a public space. It is enticingly interactive. These Literary Salons happen in the midst of a marketplace experience that includes wine, art, chocolate, jewelry, tea, and books - lots of books - that will be sold by independent book sellers. Each Literary Salon is followed by book signings by the authors.

TICKETS FOR BOOK GROUP EXPO:

Saturday & Sunday June 9 & 10 - (10am-5pm)

o    Special group rates are available to book groups, book clubs, and other groups by contacting book group expo directly (tickets@bookgroupexpo.com) at any time.

o    Two-day Full Access Pass $65.; Single Day Pass $42.

o    Early Bird Discounts are available until May 5th - $35. per day or $50. for a two-day pass. (Compared at $42 per day and $65. for two-days)

Friday, June 8; (630pm - 8:00pm) - "An Evening with Khaled Hosseini," (reading from his new book A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS)

o    $15. for individual

ºIncludes admission to all Literary Salons, book signings, Marketplace and tastings, plus free book bag!

ºJoin the community through regular up-dates on events and activities; visit www.bookgroupexpo.com

About BOOK GROUP EXPO:

Founded by Ann Kent and James P. Reber, book group expo is an innovative experience that brings together avid readers and authors in conversation and celebration of the written word. To learn more about book group expo, please visit www.bookgroupexpo.com. A portion of the proceeds go to local and regional literacy and reading programs.

For photographs, b-roll, interviews or more information, please contact: Kristen Green Public Relations at 415-567-2999.

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