Warmer weather brings out Washington’s blossoms, and also its writers and readers. Mark your calendar for three literary festivals this season.

Bethesda Literary Festival – Staged at several different venues throughout Bethesda, this celebration of the written word starts on Friday evening, April 20 and runs through the weekend.  Featured speakers include Judith Viorst, biographer Walter Isaacson, and pundit Thomas Friedman.  The final panel, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 at the Writer’s Center, will consider the future of the book review and feature The Independent!

Kensington Day of the Book – Extending from 11 a. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, this festival is conducted along the length of Howard Avenue in Kensington, MD.  Authors will conduct readings, small presses will feature their wares, and local musicians will perform.

Gaithersburg Book Festival – In its third year, this one-day celebration will run from 10 to 6 on Saturday, May 19, on the grounds of Gaithersburg’s City Hall.  Featured authors include former PBS anchor Jim Lehrer, novelists Stewart O’Nan and Keith Donohue, sports writer John Feinstein, and nonfiction authors Steve Coll and Adam Hochschild.