NYC’s Book Fair Packs Brooklyn Library

Brooklyn’s Central Library buzzed today as the NYC Book Fair drew 8,000. Over 100 publishers—indie to Penguin—sold 10,000 books; a Queens poet’s debut sold 300. Free author talks packed the plaza—Colson Whitehead’s Q&A drew 500. Kids’ storytime at 2 p.m.—200 tots laughed. NYC’s literary soul—Brooklyn reads.

Organizer Lena Park, 38, mixed local zines with big names—diversity shone. A Harlem novelist’s memoir on bodegas—$15—sold out; X raved. Pop-up poetry slams at 4 p.m.—teens spat fire; crowd snapped. Sun hit 70°F—readers lounged on steps. Library’s steps—NYC’s book heart.

It’s not perfect—main hall jammed; lines hit 20 minutes. Some wanted more sci-fi—romance dominated stalls. Still, 100 booths, 8,000 readers—fair’s a hit. Post-event, Flatbush cafés buzzed—book talk flowed. Annual rite—NYC turns pages.

Park’s 38—literary star? Poet’s 25—voice rises. Brooklyn read; NYC glowed. Book Fair—words win.