Occurring at the same time yet over 100 miles away from Coachella is perhaps a less extravagant festival. The lesser-known LA Festival of Books, held April 21-22, may not have the infamy of Coachella; however, each year, it never fails in drawing in large crowds of bibliophiles. Spanning across the University of Southern California campus were rows of seemingly never-ending tents, their white color reflecting the relentless sunlight, signaling a beacon to the various novels and bookish items within.

Intermittently placed throughout the campus were stages hosting various author performances from cooking demonstrations to puppet shows and poetry readings. “There is always some sort of concert going on at all times,” said Clark Magnet junior Brijal Shah, a first-time attendee of the festival. The voices of enthusiastic authors sharing their works traveled across the campus, past the many food trucks and used book sellers. Large crowds clustered around muralists spray painting on large pieces of plywood. Even larger were the crowds gathered around five-foot-tall crossword puzzle, the multitude of adults furrowing their brows trying to come up with the name of a “Norse god of heroic glory.”

But what draws people initially to the festival are the author panels. This year, the Festival saw over 400 authors and performers on stage or in conversation on a panel, with tickets at only $2. “You can buy books from a lot of places, but what makes the festival so unique are the conversations, and they’re what keep people coming back year after year,” said USC freshman and festival volunteer Hannah Mulroe. The Festival holds a special place in Mulroe’s heart as it was what made her want to apply to USC. “Last year when I was deciding on what school to go to, I was looking through USC’s Instagram and saw a promotion for the Festival of Books. I knew then that I needed to go to USC.”

Mulroe’s friend and fellow volunteer Isabel Torres shared the same mindset. “There aren’t that many festivals like this one, which makes it so unique,” Torres said. The two are more than just classmates; they are both a part of the USC club The Helenes, through which they applied to be volunteers at the festival.

Most importantly, though, the Festival of Books is a place to connect. People flocked to not only meet their favorite authors but to also interact with others who share their same interests. This is all represented in the festival’s main tarp. A giant roll of vinyl held upright displays a different question every year. This year, the words “What book changed your life?” hung in the air as festival attendees came up to grab a sharpie and answer it.

After a couple of hours, the vinyl was so crowded in titles that some were illegible. Yet, the sense of togetherness was not stifled as fragments of conversations peek through, revealing strangers bonding over similar tastes in novels and a plentitude of “Me too!”s.

“I got to meet a lot of people that I wouldn’t have otherwise met, including the woman who wrote the Friends theme song,” said Shah. “If you’re looking to have a good time and make some new friends, I would definitely recommend going to the Festival of Books!”