DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A book-lovers paradise: The 20th anniversary of the Brooklyn Book Festival drew thousands of visitors to Borough Hall Plaza and nearby locations on Sunday. The sprawling event included readings and discussions with top authors, a marketplace of books put out by hundreds of presses, “Bookend” events and virtual programming, along with the separate Children’s Day festival on Saturday.
The Mysterious Book Shop’s table in the Marketplace was piled high with mysteries by best-selling authors. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle
This year’s Best of Brooklyn award was presented to Marlon James, author of National Book Award finalist “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” the first novel in his fantasy trilogy “Dark Star.” (His most recent novel, “Moon Witch, Spider King,” is the second novel in the trilogy.) The Best of Brooklyn award is presented each year to an author whose work best exemplifies or speaks to the spirit of Brooklyn. Fans lined up to have James, a Brooklyn resident originally from Jamaica, sign a copy for them.
The steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall were a perfect place to take in speakers on the Main Stage at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle
Seven different venues hosted speakers — from the Main Stage, where panelists spoke on a range of topics from inspiration to the everyday; to Brooklyn Law School, where themes ranged from crime to politics; to sites including Cadman Plaza East, Columbus Park, Borough Hall, the Center for Brooklyn History, and more.
The Brooklyn Book Festival’s 2025 Best of Brooklyn (BoBi) award was presented to Marlon James, author of National Brook Award finalist “Black Leopard, Red Wolf.” On Sunday, James, left, signed copies of his work. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn EagleOn the Main Stage, (from left) moderator Melissa Lozado-Oliva and authors Debbie Urbanski, Ananda Lima and Marie Helene Bertino discuss the moments when the everyday “becomes infused with a haunting, surreal quality.” Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn EagleThis bookseller points to “The Promise,” the 2021 novel by Damon Galgut that won the Booker Prize. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle(From left) Leslie Jamison, Jessica Hoppe, and Rax King discuss “sobriety in memoir,” moderated by author and illustrator Erin Williams, right. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn EagleWhat the Dickens? This man is passing along information about a literary organization celebrating Charles Dickens, “The Friends of Dickens.” Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn EagleReaders examine books at one of the many displays in the Marketplace at this year’s Brooklyn Book Festival. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
