This April, hundreds of authors, essayists, journalists, writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians and bibliophiles, will converge on the USC campus for two days of free readings and performances at the LA Times Festival of Books.

The annual two-day event has a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. Held over April 22—23, the 2017 festival has a bumper schedule with the likes of Bryan Cranston, Chuck Palahniuk, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Roxane Gay, Joyce Carol Oates, Kelly Oxford, George Saunders and Margaret Atwood, amongst others, taking part in panels, engaging in discussions, reading from their work and signing books.

There’ll also be a kids’ stage with authors and performers and a cooking stage with demonstrations by Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow, Mozza’s Nancy Silverton and celebrity chef Ayesha Curry.

“The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is the largest festival of its kind in the United States and is The Times’ annual gift to our city.”

+ Comedian Tig Notaro is hosting the LA Times Book Prizes

Almost all of the festival’s events are free, but some indoor conversations require reservations. Tickets are available from April 16 at 8am.