Contacts: 
Charlene Shirk, Chair, 904-280-4722 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Maggie Hightower, Executive Director, 904-525-6591 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sara Zarr and Chris Bohjalian Announced for Two Much Ado About Books Events
Young Adult Author to Host Teen Panels, Fiction Novelist Serves as Breakfast Author

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2010) – The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation announced that Sara Zarr will join the 2010 Much Ado About Books lineup as the teen author and Chris Bohjalian has been chosen by fans in an online poll to host the intimate “Breakfast with an Author” session.  Both events are a part of the festivities taking place during the 15^th annual book festival which benefits the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, held Feb. 26-27.

Zarr is the acclaimed author of three young adult novels including her most recent best seller, Once Was Lost.  Zarr, whose works address real world issues facing young adults, will hold a panel discussion and Q&A on Feb. 27 at the Main Library at 11:00 a.m.  Due to her large following and the strength of the Teen Writer’s Club in South Jacksonville, she will also be hosting a writer’s workshop at the Mandarin Library Branch at 2:00 p.m. that same day.

Also, that morning, a private breakfast for 10 lucky guests will be hosted by Bohjalian, author of Secrets of Eden.  To allow for fan interaction in this year’s event, Bohjalian was selected as the breakfast author through an online poll and was chosen over two other authors.  This event will take place at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, the host hotel of Much Ado About Books, and tickets are $100 in advance. 

Much Ado About Books also includes an intensive writer’s workshop, panel discussions with more than 15 authors, Children’s Chapter with celebrity readings and a keynote luncheon featuring Mary Kay Andrews.  To purchase tickets or get more information about the schedule of events and guest authors, visit the event Web site, www.muchadoaboutbooks.com.  Follow the event updates on Facebook and Twitter by visiting http://bit.ly/JaxBooks or www.twitter.com/jaxbooks. 

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About Much Ado About Books

In its 15^th year, Much Ado About Books is Jacksonville ’s largest literary event, bringing national, regional and local authors together with book lovers and raising funds for the Jacksonville Public Library. The program supports reading for all community members regardless of age and highlights local resources supporting the City of Jacksonville ’s literacy initiative.

About the Jacksonville Public Library

The Jacksonville Public Library is a large library system, consisting of a 300,000 sq. ft. Main Library and 20 regional, community and neighborhood branch libraries. The organization also serves the needs of the community with Talking Books Library for Disabled Customers and an active adult literacy program.   The Library directly serves residents and employees of Duval County both within the Jacksonville city limits and the Beaches and Baldwin communities. Residents of neighboring Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns Counties are also able to partake of the services provided by the Library.  The Library’s mission is to connect people with ideas that enlighten, encourage, inspire, enrich and delight.