The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Franken headlines MJCC event
Other notables in the lineup include the Bush twins and World’s Most Interesting Man.
He’s already been one of the original Saturday Night Live writers and now is an increasingly influential U.S. Senator from Minnesota. So what other high profile gigs are left on Al Franken’s plate?
How about closing out this year’s star-studded Book Festival of the MJCCA?
The author of “Al Franken, Giant of the Senate” will be here “in conversation with” GPB’s Bill Nigut, host of “Political Rewind,” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. He leads a lineup of more than 45 authors who’ll speak and sign books during the 26th edition of the popular festival. The 16-day event kicks off on Nov. 4 with another high-wattage speaker: Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, author of “The Court and The World.”
Others on this year’s lineup include: Joy Mangano, the Miracle Mop inventor and inspiration for the Oscar-nominated movie “Joy,” who tells her own story in “Inventing Joy;” Jonathan Goldsmith, aka the “Dos Equis Man,” whose book is titled “Stay Interesting: I Don’t Always Tell Stories About My Life, but When I Do They’re True and Amazing”; humor writer Dave Barry; Dan Barry; and Reza Aslan.
Of particular local interest, former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell and Charles McNair will discuss his book, “Play It Again, Sam” on Nov. 9. And in what promises to be a fascinating event, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, will be here to talk about their new book, “Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life.”
As the twin daughters of former President George W. Bush (their grandfather, George H.W. Bush, also was president), the siblings grew up in the spotlight, but have rarely opened up together in public about their lives. Their appearance here on Nov. 18, will feature them in conversation with local favorite and New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin.
Most events will be held at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) in Dunwoody. For complete information on the festival and purchasing tickets, go to www.atlantajcc.org.