Last weekend, Long Islanders and authors from around the country came together at Long Island University and throughout the streets of Oyster Bay to celebrate the rich literary history of the region at the inaugural Gold Coast Book Fair. 

In a unique collaboration between the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, Long Island University, and Theodore’s Books, a local bookstore founded by former U.S Representative Steve Israel, The Gold Coast Book Fair was made possible by the presenting sponsor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union..

“It was truly amazing to see the very first Gold Coast Book Fair come to life and enjoyed by so many interested readers, families, Long Islanders, and so many others,” said Israel, owner of Theodore’s Books. “We could not have pulled this off without the unwavering support of our sponsors, participating authors, special guests, staff, and volunteers. It was a testament to the continued interest in books, literature, learning, and continued education that has been a hallmark of my life and a touchstone of my career in Congress and afterward. The attendance over the weekend – more than 3,000 people in total – not to mention the interest I saw expressed in the faces of everyone there, vindicated for me the reasons behind creating the Book Fair and I look forward to making this an annual event here on Long Island with the continued support of our beloved community.”

The weekend kicked off with a conversation Friday night between Israel and Erik Larson, about the latter’s current New York Times best-selling book, “The Demon of Unrest.” The former congressman and Larson spent time talking about the book, the author’s childhood in Freeport and his process for writing such gripping tales.  

On Saturday, June 29, the Gold Coast Book Fair continued at Long Island University with a full day of panel discussions and seminars with authors like Pulitzer Prize finalist Alice McDermott, who discussed her critically acclaimed new novel, Absolution. 

Edward F. O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, and Anita McBride, director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University, School of Public Affairs, explored the stories of women whose relationships, opinions, and influence shaped the events of American presidencies and, as a result, the course of the nation.

The event was moderated by political commentator and strategist Margaret Hoover (the great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover). 

Saturday’s events capped off with a fascinating discussion between historian Douglas Brinkley and Israel about the author’s seminal work regarding the D-Day Invasion, “The Boys of Pointe du Hoc.“ The two spoke of the operation, its recent 80th anniversary, and what future World War II commemorations might look like. 

On Sunday, June 30 in downtown Oyster Bay, the Gold Coast Book Fair wrapped up with sessions about the history of Long Island and its inhabitants over the centuries, and readings with the Suffolk County poet laureate, the Nassau County POET LAUREate, and Long Island’s teen poet laureate.

Kevin Baker, the author of “Baseball and The Rise of  New City” talked with former Nassau Comptroller Jack Schnirman about the history of America’s pastime in New York City.  

Later in the day, Carla Hayden, The 14th Librarian of Congress, spoke with Israel and author Alexis Coe about Hayden’s important work as our nation’s foremost librarian, the role that libraries and librarians play in ensuring our democracy’s freedom of speech, and why libraries have never been more important to the future of American civic life. 

The full list of authors from the weekend is below. Those from Long Island are indicated by an asterisk (*). 

• Rochelle Alers*, author of “Take The Long Way Home”
• Jackie Azúa Kramer,* author of “Manolo and the Unicorn”
• Neha Bajaj,* author of “Noah’s Intense Day
• Shikha Bajaj, author of “Own Your Color: How to Unleash Your Limitless Potential with One Secret Tool: MENTOR”
• Kevin Baker, author of “Baseball and the Rise of a New City:
• Claire Bellerjeau*, author of “Remember Liss”
• Danielle Bertoli*, author of “Struck Inside Out: Essays, Meditations, and Poetry to Help You Heal Heartbreak, Embrace Change, and Love Yourself”
• Bill Bleyer*, author of “Sinking of the Steamboat Lexington on Long Island”
• Valerie Bolling, author of “I See Color” 
• Douglas Brinkley*, author of “Silent Spring Revolution”
• Cynthia Carr, author of “Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar”
• Nat Cassidy, author of “The Nestlings”
• Lauren Chaitoff*, author of “108 Awesome Yoga Poses for Kids” 
• Paula Curci, Nassau County Poet Laureate and author of “Done That Poetry and Posics Poetry” 
• Sarah Beth Durst*, author of “The Spellshop”
• Mazey Eddings, author of “Late Bloomer” 
• Denice Evans-Sheppard, Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society and author of “Footsteps of a Forgotten Soldier
• Brooke Lea Foster, author of “All the Summers in Between”
• Sam Garonzik, author of “A Rough Way to Go”
• Sarah Goodman*, Suffolk County Teen poet laureate
• Bonnie Grubman*, author of “ Walter And Willy And The False Note” 
• Pamela Hamilton*, author of “Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale”
• Deborah Hauser*, Suffolk County poet laureate
• Carla Hayden, librarian of Congress
• TR Hendricks, author of “The Infiltrator” 
• Q. Imagine*, author “Exhale”
• Carinn Jade, author of “The Astrology House”
• Kris Janvier*
• Zainab Khan*, author of “Noura’s Crescent moon”
• Cassandra Khaw, author of “The Dead Take the A Train”
• Jonah Kramer*, author of “Manolo and the Unicorn” 
• Erik Larson, author of “The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War”
• Victor Lavalle, author “Lone Women”
• Caroline Leavitt, author of “Days of Wonder”
• Anita McBride, author of “Remember the First Ladies”
• Alice McDermott, author of “Absolution”
• Jeannie Moon*, author of  “Then Temporary Wife”
• Edward F. O’Keefe, author of “The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Woman Who Created a President” 
• Richard Panchyk*, author of “Power to the People! A Young People’s Guide to Fighting for Our Rights as Citizens and Consumers”
• Patricia Park, author of “What’s Eating Jackie Oh?”
• Caridad Piñeiro, author of “Sabotage Operation”
• Christina M. Rau*, author of “How We Make Amends”
• Shelby Renjifo*, author of “Wasp at a Funeral”
• Lauren Rico, author of “Familia: A Riveting and Unforgettable Novel of Sisterhood”
• Melissa Rivero, author of “Flores and Miss Paula”
• Ali Rosen, author of “Alternate Endings” 
• Larry Samuel*, author of “Making Long Island” 
• Blue Sapphire*, author of “Love Notes”
• Alex Segura, author of “Secret Identity”
• Esther K. Smith, author of “Making Books with Kids”
• Mark Torres*, author of “Long Island Migrant Labor Camps”
• Chris Vega*, author of “The Ferguson Brothers Lynching Nonfiction 
• George Wallace*, author of “LipSmack”
• Darlene Williams*, founder of the Black Authors Festival and author of “The Higher Level Method”
• Robert Zeller,* author of “New Surrealism: The Uncanny in Contemporary Painting Art”

CT: