[A photo from a main-stage author presentation at the 2025 National Book Festival. Photo Credit to Olivia Bak]

The National Book Festival was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. on September 6, 2025, bringing together authors, readers, and book lovers from across the United States.

Former librarian and First Lady Laura Bush partnered with the Library of Congress to host the very first festival in 2001 at the U.S. Capitol.

Since then, the festival has grown steadily, attracting more than 100,000 visitors  each year and establishing itself as the largest literary celebration in the country.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the festival featured several special events. 

More than 90 authors from diverse genres participated along with interactive storytelling sessions, writing workshops, and book signings.

One of the most anticipated appearances came from Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was introduced during the welcome remarks by Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen. 

Her session was moderated by award-winning philanthropist and festival co-chair David Rubenstein.

Justice Barrett spoke about her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution. 

In her remarks, she shared insights from her years on the Supreme Court, reflected on the role of the judiciary in American democracy, and explained her own approach to interpreting the Constitution.

She said she wrote the book to help readers gain a better understanding of how the Supreme Court works and how justices make their decisions.

When asked whether Supreme Court justices get along, Barrett replied yes, quoting the late Justice Antonin Scalia: “We attack ideas, not people.”  

She noted that members of the Court are both friends and colleagues, adding that the greatest reward of her position is the opportunity to serve the public.

The festival’s main stage also highlighted poetry in an event titled “Celebrating the U.S. Poets Laureate: Joy Harjo, Ada Limón, and Tracy K. Smith,” moderated by Washington Post Book Critic Ron Charles.

The three U.S. Poets Laureate appointed by the Library of Congress discussed their special poetry projects, including Harjo’s Living Nations, Living Words, Limón’s You Are Here: Poetry in Parks, and Smith’s American Conversations: Celebrating Poems in Rural Communities.

Each poet also read selections from their work, allowing the audience to experience the rhythm and emotion of their writing firsthand.

The focus later turned to children’s books, giving the audience a rare opportunity to hear from Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis presenting her debut book, The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page.

Davis explained that the project, which took nearly two years to complete, combines imaginative storytelling with vibrant illustrations to empower children and celebrate diversity.

At its core, the book conveys themes of self-acceptance and resilience, encouraging young readers to embrace themselves and face challenges with confidence.

Davis also shared with the audience her work through the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which she founded over two decades to promote fair and authentic representation of women and diverse groups in children’s films and television.

In addition to these author presentations, attendees enjoyed the festival’s STEM District for young innovators, the Story District for live storytelling, and hands-on creative workshops covering comics, fiction, poetry, and illustration.

With inspiring author talks, interactive activities, and book signings, the 25th anniversary festival provided a memorable celebration of learning, creativity, and a love of reading of all ages.