About Event:

June 12, 2025

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Methodist Church

Dawn Tripp with Sara DiVello‍:
Dawn Tripp is the nationally bestselling author of the novel Jackie and the novel Georgia, finalist for the New England Book Award, and winner of the Mary Lynn Kotz Award for Art in Literature. She is the author of three previous novels: Game of Secrets, Moon Tide, and The Season of Open Water, which won the Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction. Tripp and author/Festival co-chair Sara DiVello, will kick off the 2025 Festival with a dynamic conversation about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a First Lady with a formidable intellect, a legendary editor, and a lifelong, passionate booklover.

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Methodist Church

Meenakshi Ahamed with Michael Schulder‍:
Those of us who love success stories will be inspired to hear author Meena Ahamed talk about her new book, Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America. To learn their secret sauce for success, Ahamed, who came to the U.S. from India as a student in 1970, sat down with some of the highest achievers in her community – transformational figures in tech, health care, politics and journalism. She will share her insights in this conversation with Michael Schulder, creator and host of Wavemaker Conversations.

12:00PM - 12:45PM, Methodist Church

Kim Coleman Foote with Kaley Kokomoor:
Kim Coleman Foote’s debut novel Coleman Hill is a powerful family saga spanning generations and pulling from her own family story. Named a New York Times Notable Book and longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the book explores identity, inheritance, and resilience. A former fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center, Foote has received numerous literary honors. She will be in conversation with Kaley Kokomoor, Executive Director of the Nantucket Book Foundation, to discuss history, memory, and the stories that shape us.

1:00PM - 1:45PM, Methodist Church

Betsy Lerner‍:
Betsy Lerner is a memoirist, novelist, and longtime literary agent known for her sharp insight and irreverent wit. She is the author of the popular advice book to writers, The Forest for the Trees, and the memoirs Food and Loathing and The Bridge Ladies. Her debut novel, Shred Sisters, was longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s Debut Novel Award and named one of The New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of the year. Join us to hear Lerner bring her signature voice to a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and the stories that stay with us.

2:00PM- 2:45PM, Methodist Church

Victor Luckerson with Shantaw Bloise-Murphy:
Victor Luckerson is a journalist and the author of Built from the Fire, winner of the Museum of African American History, Boston/Nantucket’s Stone Book Award. His compelling account of Tulsa’s Greenwood District spans generations of tragedy, resistance, and resilience. A former writer for Time and The Ringer, Luckerson’s work has also appeared in The New Yorker and The New York Times, among other publications. He will be in conversation with Shantaw Bloise-Murphy, Nantucket Book Foundation Board Director and Director of Culture and Tourism for the Town of Nantucket.

‍3:00PM - 3:45PM, Methodist Church

Jenny Johnson & Billy Costa:
Media powerhouses Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa bring their decades of broadcast experience and deep love for New England’s vibrant food culture to the page in A Taste of Boston, a flavorful tribute to the city’s culinary legends. Co-hosts of NESN’s Dining Playbook, Meet Boston with Billy and Jenny, and the popular WBZ radio show Food for Thought, this Emmy Award-winning duo shares behind-the-scenes stories and recipes from Boston’s most iconic chefs and restaurants. Johnson and Costa promise an engaging conversation full of warmth, insight, and delicious recommendations!

‍‍4:00PM - 4:45PM, Methodist Church

Ann Leary with Lisa Genova:
Bestselling author Ann Leary returns to the Nantucket Book Festival with her sharp, hilarious, and heartfelt new essay collection, I’ve Tried Being Nice. Known for novels like The Good House and The Foundling, Leary brings her signature wit and keen observations to stories about family, fame, aging, and identity. She’ll be joined by fellow Festival presenting author Lisa Genova for a lively conversation about finding humor in the everyday, and embracing all the messy, beautiful chapters of life.

5:00PM, Nantucket Atheneum

‍Nantucket Young Playwrights:
Prepare to enjoy, appreciate and even laugh at this series of ten-minute plays written by Nantucket teens, under the mentorship of award-winning filmmaker, Jay Craven. Students worked this spring to develop and revise their original short plays - which will be performed by professional actors in a staged reading at the Nantucket Atheneum.

Each year’s program is different - but all feature complex characters, muscular plots - and surprising insights that come fully to life in these compelling slices of life - real and imagined. Nantucket Young Playwrights is produced and sponsored by Kingdom County Productions, White Heron Theatre, Nantucket Atheneum and the Nantucket Book Festival, working in association with Nantucket High School.

‍8:00PM, Breeze Bar at The Nantucket Hotel

Authors in Bars:
Join several of this year’s authors in a comfortable after-hours setting, while enjoying your favorite beverage. Admission is free, and there will be a cash bar.

About Event:

June 13, 2025

9:00AM - 9:45AM, Methodist Church‍:

Geraldine Brooks with William Cohan:
Geraldine Brooks is a Pulitzer-prize winning and New York Times bestselling author. She is also an award-winning journalist. In 1990, with her husband Tony Horwitz, she won the Overseas Press Club Award for best coverage of the Gulf War. The following year they received a citation for excellence for their series, “War and Peace.” Her novels People of the Book, Caleb’s Crossing, The Secret Chord and Horse all were New York Times bestsellers. Her first novel, Year of Wonders is an international bestseller, translated into more than 25 languages and currently optioned for a limited series by Olivia Coleman’s production company. She will be in conversation with New York Times bestselling author William Cohan, about her latest book, Memorial Days.

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Methodist Church‍:

Imani Perry with Mary Haft:
Winner of the National Book Award and critically acclaimed writer and thinker, Harvard Professor, Imani Perry, whose latest book, Black in Blues, continues her exploration of race, culture and history through the prism of the color blue. Imani Perry is a New York Times bestselling author of South to America and a spectrum of books and writing with a lens on contemporary issues through her scholarly and creative writing. Imani will be joined in conversation with writer and producer, and Co-Founder of the Nantucket Book Festival, Mary Haft.

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Methodist Church‍:

Wally Lamb with Tim Ehrenberg:
Wally Lamb is the author of six best-selling novels including the #1 New York Times best-sellers and Oprah’s Book Club picks - She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True. The beloved writer will be in conversation with Nantucket Book Foundation President and creator of Tim Talks Books, Tim Ehrenberg to discuss Wally’s first novel in eight years, The River is Waiting, a propulsive story of a young father who, after an unbearable tragedy, reckons with the possibility of atonement for the unforgivable. The two will talk about our prison system, the act of forgiveness, emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of fiction.

12:00PM - 12:45PM, Methodist Church:

Charmaine Wilkerson with Mary Haft:
Acclaimed author, Charmaine Wilkerson, continues to shape how the forces of powerful family legacy and history form the compelling character of the stories she tells. Good Dirt explores those family secrets and the threads that bind past, present and future. The bestselling author of Black Cake, which became a major television adaptation on Disney/Hulu, Charmaine will be joined in conversation with writer and producer, and Co-Founder of the Nantucket Book Festival, Mary Haft.

1:00PM- 1:45PM, Methodist Church:‍

Alice Hoffman with Sara DiVello:
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including When We Flew Away, Here on Earth, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and Practical Magic, which was made into a Warner Brothers film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. She will be in conversation with author/Festival co-chair Sara DiVello, about her latest work, When We Flew Away, which explores the little-known details of Anne Frank's life before she went into hiding. Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Hoffman brings Anne Frank, a writer who will go on to change the world as we know it, to bold, vivid life.

2:00PM - 2:45PM, Methodist Church:

Adam Ross with Elin Hilderbrand‍:
In his long-awaited release of the already celebrated Playworld, the acclaimed author of Mr. Peanut and renowned editor of the Sewanee Review, Adam Ross, will be joined in conversation with Nantucket’s own beloved novelist, Elin Hilderbrand, author of over 28 bestselling novels. Sure to be a conversation to remember, these two masters of their craft have much to discuss about contemporary fiction, the publishing industry, and the art of storytelling.

3:00PM - 3:45PM, Methodist Church:

Patti Callahan Henry with Tim Ehrenberg:
Patti Callahan Henry is the best-selling author of over a dozen contemporary and historical novels, most recently The Story She Left Behind. With a belief that the power of story changes us and moves us, Patti will explore the untold stories of the past that affect us now, stories within stories, setting, and the healing nature of art, as well as discuss her role as co-host of the weekly live web show, Friends & Fiction. Patti will be in conversation with Tim Ehrenberg, President of the Nantucket Book Foundation and creator of Tim Talks Books.

4:00PM - 4:45PM, Methodist Church:

Suzy Welch with Linda Henry:
Suzy Welch - bestselling author, business leader, and NYU professor - is known for helping people find purpose in work and life. Her new book, Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career, draws from her decades of experience as a journalist, professor, and consultant to offer a practical roadmap for personal transformation. In conversation with Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media Partners, Welch will share stories and strategies for building a life of meaning, impact, and joy—on your own terms.

6:30PM - 7:30PM, Unitarian Universalist Church:

Opening Celebration:
Reading Widely: Becoming More
Every book is a journey, an exploration of an idea, of a history, of a people, of possibilities. Reading widely, seeking voices from different genres, perspectives, and worlds not traveled, expands the envelope of what it means to be human. Immersing ourselves in worlds real or imagined expands the depth and breadth, the shape and complexity of our thoughts, and bestows upon us a more nuanced understanding of the world and ourselves. The four writers presented tonight reflect the power of words to engage and expand the universe of our own humanity and the interconnectedness of our universal humanity through the transcendent power of reading. Becoming more. Presenting authors: Patrick Radden Keefe, Loretta J. Ross, Bob Woodward, and Lisa Genova

7:30PM - 10:00PM, Brant Point Grill:

Nantucket Book Festival Author Dinner:
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner overlooking the harbor while rubbing elbows with your favorite authors. The Dinner, presented by The White Elephant Hotel, is the perfect ending to a day filled with inspiring author conversations. As the only event designed to fundraise for the Book Festival, your ticket purchase helps to keep most of our events free and open to everyone. Purchase tickets HERE.

About Event:

June 14, 2025

9:00AM - 9:45AM, Methodist Church:

Bob Woodward with Linda Henry:
Few journalists have shaped American political understanding as profoundly as Bob Woodward. The legendary Washington Post reporter and author of 23 bestselling books - 16 of them #1 New York Times bestsellers - Woodward has chronicled every president from Nixon to Biden, including his groundbreaking work on Watergate. In conversation with Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media Partners, Woodward will reflect on over five decades of investigative reporting, presidential power, and the evolving role of the press. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of the most influential voices in modern journalism.

10:00AM - 2:00PM, Atheneum Great Hall‍:

Local Authors from the Cape and Islands:
Browse books written by authors from Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod when they gather in the Great Hall on Saturday. Don't miss this chance to support our local writing community!

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Methodist Church‍:

Jason Reynolds with Mary Haft:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author, award winning writer and a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, the celebrated Jason Reynolds, will bring his perspective on addressing complex social issues through characters and story that resonate with honesty, humor, hope and heart. With more than twenty books for children and young adults, including Twenty-Four Seconds from Now, Jason will be joined in conversation with writer and producer and Co-Founder of the Nantucket Book Festival, Mary Haft.

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Methodist Church:

Carl Hiaasen with Elin Hilderbrand & Tim Ehrenberg"
Carl Hiaasen has been described as “America’s finest satirical novelist” and his most recent novel, Fever Beach, tackles our current chaotic and polarized American culture. He will be joined with co-hosts of the popular literary podcast Books, Beach, & Beyond, #1 New York Times best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand and Tim Ehrenberg, creator of Tim Talks Books. The three will chat about Carl’s origin story as a writer, the setting of Florida, our current culture, books to screen, writing for both young readers and adults, and so much more for a laugh-out-loud yet poignant conversation.

12:00PM - 12:45PM, Methodist Church:

Lisa Genova with Sara DiVello:
Lisa Genova is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, More of Less Maddy, Left Neglected, and Still Alice, which was adapted into a film starring Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and Julianne Moore, who won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice. Genova holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University. Through her books and international speaking tours, Genova has worked to break down boundaries, destigmatize neurodegenerative diseases, create conversations around mental health, and turn "othering" into empathy. She will be in conversation with author/Festival co-chair Sara DiVello about More of Less Maddy, about a young woman grappling with bipolar disorder.

1:00PM - 1:45PM, Methodist Church‍:

Molly Jong-Fast with Kate Brosnan:
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation with acclaimed writer and political commentator Molly Jong-Fast and Nantucket Project Co-Founder, Kate Brosnan. A correspondent for Vanity Fair and host of the podcast Fast Politics, New York Times bestselling author, Molly is joining us with her newest book, a memoir of a last chapter lived with her mother, How to Lose Your Mother:A Daughter’s Memoir.

2:00PM - 2:45PM, Methodist Church‍:

Jennifer Finney Boylan:
Jennifer Finney Boylan returns to the Nantucket Book Festival with Cleavage, her poignant and witty new memoir-in-essays. The bestselling author of She’s Not There, the first bestselling memoir by a transgender American, Boylan is also a professor at Columbia's Barnard College and a longtime faculty member at the Bread Loaf and Sirenland Writers’ Conferences. Join us as, with humor, heart, and deep insight, Jennifer reflects on identity, change, and the stories that shape who we are - and who we are becoming.

3:00PM - 3:45PM, Methodist Church‍:

Ocean Vuong with Tim Ehrenberg:
Novelist, poet, professor, and photographer, Ocean Vuong will present his newest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, published in May. He will be in conversation with Tim Ehrenberg, President of the Nantucket Book Foundation and creator of Tim Talks Books. Ocean and Tim will dive into his poetry collections, the award-winning book On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, and focus on the profound themes of his new novel; chosen family, unexpected friendship, what it means to exist on the fringes of society, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.

4:00PM - 4:45PM, Methodist Church:‍

Loretta J. Ross with Michael Schulder:
Loretta Ross, lifelong human rights activist and winner of a MacArthur Fellow “genius grant,” is the author of Calling In: How To Start Making Change With Those You’d Rather Cancel. It’s a guide to building coalitions with “problematic allies,” fighting hate, and even having fun doing it. Sounds improbable, until you learn Ross’ remarkable story as a Black woman who guided an Aryan Nations leader and other white supremacists to atonement, taught feminism to convicted rapists, works with college students to replace public shaming with conversations, and more. Come hear this riveting speaker share her hard-earned wisdom with Michael Schulder, creator and host of Wavemaker Conversations.

7:30PM - 9PM, Dreamland Main Theater:

The Next Chapter: Inspiring A New Generation:
Join us for a special conversation with best-selling authors, Carl Hiaasen and Jason Reynolds. Celebrated for their captivating stories that engage both children and adults, they look at the world through a prism that spans a spectrum of ages, lending a sharper view on the human story. From the satiric commentary on political and environmental issues in Hiaasen’s writing, to the deep humanity of the complex social issues found in Reynolds’ work, their passion for storytelling and connecting with readers of all ages promises an inspiring evening to remember.

About Event:

June 15, 2025

10:00AM - 10:45AM, Atheneum Great Hall:

Patrick Radden Keefe:
Patrick Radden Keefe is a New Yorker staff writer and the award-winning author of Empire of Pain, Say Nothing, and Rogues. Known for his gripping investigations into power, corruption, and hidden histories, Keefe brings a masterful narrative style to every subject he tackles. Begin Festival Sunday with one of today’s most fearless and compelling nonfiction writers, as he shares insights from his acclaimed body of work.

11:00AM - 11:45AM, Dreamland:

Chris Sheppard with Rob Cocuzzo:
Christian Sheppard is a professor of liberal arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. With The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball, he has written a witty and wise love letter to baseball with life lessons from Homer to Opening Day. Stories of Achilles, Jackie Robinson, Odysseus, and both the 2004 Red Sox and the 2016 Cubs are told with humor and inspiration. Christian will be interviewed by Rob Cocuzzo, author and former editor of N Magazine.

12:00PM - 12:45PM, Dreamland:

Jonathan Waterman with Patti Callihan Henry:‍
Jonathan Waterman is an adventurer, award winning photographer and writer. His many articles have appeared in Outside, National Geographic, and Men’s Journal. Having spent years as a ranger and mountain climber in Gates of the Arctic National Park, he returned to Denali after a hiatus to discover shocking changes in the wildlife and landscape. Into the Thaw, his sixteenth book, was published in November 2024. He will be in conversation with Patti Callahan Henry, another of this year’s featured festival authors.

1:00PM - 1:45PM, Dreamland:

Wright Thompson with Luke Russert:
Wright Thompson is an award winning senior writer for ESPN and the bestselling books Pappyland and The Cost of These Dreams. His newest book, The Barn, tells the shocking history of the 1955 lynching of fourteen year old Emmett Till, a child who loved Bo Diddly and comic books. This crime changed America with its impact on the civil rights movement. Mr. Thompson lives in Oxford, Mississippi not far from the Barn, yet until 2020 he knew little of its significance. The book is a result of how this could have happened and how he could not have known about it. The writer Luke Russert, a previous Nantucket Book Festival standout, will interview Wright Thompson.

3:00PM - 5PM, Cisco Brewers:

Festival Send-Off Celebration:
Gather at Cisco Brewers on our final day of the Festival for great food, music, and conversation for readers and writers alike. Attendees may choose from delicious options for lunch, plus drinks by Cisco Brewers, Triple 8, and Nantucket Vineyards.

Shuttle available from the Visitors Services on Federal Street. No tickets required; pay for your own food and drinks.

Date: JUne 12-15, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Nantucket

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