The traditional format of the international book fair Non/Fiction was postponed until next spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But to keep the reading public happy, the organizers are moving their meetings with famous authors online this and next weekend.
On Dec. 5,6, 12 and 13 anyone can tune in to hear discussions with such prominent writers and cultural figures as Svetlana Alexievich (Belarus); Frans de Waal (Netherlands); Evgeny Vodolazkin (Russia); Carlo Ginzburg (Italy); Olivia Liang (UK); Pavel Pepperstein (Russia); Lyudmila Ulitskaya (Russia); Karl Zimmer (U.S.) and Leonid Yuzefovich (Russia). Non/Fiction has also invited leading Russian publishers to talk about the state of their industry today.
And to help readers in self-isolation keep up with current trends, Non/Fiction has compiled three lists of their top picks for adults, for children and for readers of comic books.
Among their recommendations for best books of 2020 are “The Virus That Broke the Planet” by Irina Yakutenko, “Yegor Letov. My Defense” by Alexei Koblov, and “The Uninhabited Land. Life After Global Warming” by David Wallace-Wells.
This year to help readers negotiate pandemic restrictions, the organizers have expanded the boundaries of their event by selling books from their three lists of top picks in participating stores across Russia at a 10% discount.
The full program of the book fair events, links to online discussions with famous authors, and recommended books, is available on the official website.
The traditional format fair will take place in March 2021. Check their site for updates on the schedule.