By Okon Ekpenyong

The chances of attending a book fair or book festival during which one of the authors or a table is a state’s former governor is extremely rare. 

One of the authors attending the 2023 Book Festival on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Downtown Columbus Library included a famous Ohioana who was once the country diplomat, a university administrator, and the state’s former governor, Richard Celeste. 

For those unfamiliar with him, it is essential to know that he was the last Democratic Governor to serve two terms. In 2022, the former governor published his first book, “Celeste’s Autobiography, In the Heart of It All: An Unvarnished Account of My Life in Public.” 

The Governor grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, then attended and graduated from Yale University and Oxford University, before embarking on a life as a public figure, which took him to Washington, D.C., India, the governor’s residence, and beyond.

A significant reason for Celeste’s longevity may be that he was the first governor in the state to have more female cabinet members than any other governor. Also, help created more roles for African Americans in government than any other governor. 

The beauty of this year’s event is that if a person comes with an open mind, the flow of knowledge is within their grasp”, one reader said. 

Governor Celeste points out that reading is a universal thing since some of these authors come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, thereby creating a heightened sense of cultural awareness. 

Frances Smith Strickland, the wife of former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, was also present. She is also an author whose 1991 book “The Little Girl Who Grew Up to Be Governor: Stories from the Life of Martha Layne Collins” was on display.   

The Home State Savings Bank of Cincinnati in 1985, under Celeste, failed almost like Silicon Valley Bank in California in 2023. A supporter says the administration forced a bank holiday to prevent massive withdrawals and give the state and the banks more time to recover.

While there was some success for the governor, regarding diversity and inclusion, particularly in governmental roles, some lawmakers were pushing back. 

In his book, the former diplomat discusses his life as a private and public figure, the highs and lows, and the hopes for the future he has.

Also, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and his First Lady Fran attended this year’s Book Festival at the Downtown Columbus Metropolitan Library. The event was open to the public and featured over 120 authors across the library from 10:30 am to 5 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

The Ohioana Book Festival is part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s 150th-anniversary celebration, which commenced its big day on March 4, 2023. 

Among the books listed here were fiction, nonfiction, poetry, Middle Grade/Young Adult, and Juvenile stories that are creative and will inspire readers to think critically. 

You can flow better if you know more; in other words, if you read more, the more knowledge and wisdom one gains, it helps one stay resilient in the face of adversity. Furthermore, it may assist a person in refocusing negative thoughts and preventing depression and burnout. 

According to research and studies, when one’s brain constantly gains information, it enables one to make better decisions when facing challenging obstacles. Attendees, including the authors themselves, found inspiration to pick up a book or two, especially after meeting the creator of the masterpiece. 

The Ohioana Library Association has organized the event since its inception in 2007, but returning to a live and in-person for the first time since 2019. It features authors, poets, illustrators, panels, readings, discussions, children’s activities, food truck vendors, and more. According to Ohio Library Association, the festival happens in the spring of each year and welcomes approximately 120 authors and more than 3,000 visitors.

The Book Loft of German Village, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio’s Dolly Parton Imagination, and other organizations also sponsors the event.

“I sold books, gave a 15-minute reading, saw so many friends, met new authors, inhaled the scent of new books, marveled at the surprise that the bag of chocolates I bought to lure readers to the table “MATCHED MY BOOK COVER” while basking in the glow of having a third book selected for this beautiful event,” Author Nita Sweeney stated on her social media page. 

Sweeney, an author of more than seven books, also shared that she participated in the virtual Book Festival held in 2020-2022, which was still an honor, but without the reality of rubbing elbows with other authors, signing books for readers, and breathing in all those lovely book molecules”.

Authors from various nationalities attended the book festival, including an African-American mother and daughter author SRD Harris. The authors of several books posted on her social media page, “What can we say to express our deep gratitude for your love at the 2023 Ohioana Book Festival today.” 

I purchased one of their books, “Future Miss President,” dedicated to Kamala Harris, who became the First US Woman Vice-President. And based on our conversations and seeing the overwhelming support, especially from parents who attended the event with their children, they are just getting started. 

“She also stated that overwhelming public support completely floored them and that their Tribe is growing daily because of readers.” 

This year’s book festival not only lived up to the hype but also demonstrated that Ohioana authors’ creative minds can leave readers seeking more intellectual stimulation to enrich their lives.

Using the word success would be an understatement, so it was simply a home run for all the readers, storytellers, and organizers.

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