Where will more than 80 authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers and tens of thousands of book lovers be gathered this fall? On the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the third annual National Book Festival on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Among the celebrated authors attending this year are Julie Andrews, James Patterson, Robert Caro, Avi, R.L. Stine, Walter Dean Myers, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Stephen Carter, Nelson DeMille, Julia Glass, Pat Conroy, Cassandra King, Catherine Coulter, Michael Beschloss and Bob Schieffer. Have your favorite author sign his or her book.

There will be pavilions dedicated to "Fiction & Imagination," "Mysteries & Thrillers," "History & Biography," "Children," "Teens & Children," "Storytelling," "Home & Family," "The Library of Congress," "Let's Read America" "The States" and "Book Signing."

Renowned chefs Jacques Pepin, who has hosted several shows on PBS, and Patrick O'Connell of the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia, will appear in a new pavilion called "Home and Family." If you watch the popular home decorating show called "Trading Spaces," then you'll want to see hosts Paige Davis and Frank Bielec, also in this pavilion. Another new pavilion is dedicated to "Poetry," with readings throughout the day, including from 1987 Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur.

Although this is the third year for the Book Festival, the Library has promoted reading and literacy through its Center for the Book since 1977. The center has affiliates in all the states and the District of Columbia. You can contact your local center by going to the State Center Affiliates page to learn about Center for the Book activities in your state.

Whenever you are accessing one of the American Memory collections of millions of items of American history, take a minute to peruse each collection's accompanying "Read More About It" reading list.