Inaugurated in 2008, the Louisiana Book Festival's One Book, One Festival discussion group continues at the Louisiana Book Festival. Participants are invited to read the same book in advance and then join the scholar-led discussion with others at the festival.

The 2024 One Book, One Festival selection is Eudora Welty's The Optimist's Daughter with perennial crowd-pleaser Dr. Gary Richards once again leading the discussion.

Past Selections

2023
Other Voices, Other Rooms
Truman Capote
(75th Anniversary)
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2022
A Streetcar Named Desire
Tennessee Williams
(75th Anniversary)
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2021
A Gathering of Old Men
Ernest J. Gaines
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2019
A Christmas Memory
Truman Capote
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2018
The Great Big Doorstep
E.P. O'Donnell
Discussion leader: Katie Henninger

2017
A Streetcar Named Desire
Tennessee Williams
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2016
Creole Belle
James Lee Burke
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2015
Go Set a Watchman
Harper Lee
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2014
Modern Baptists
James Wilcox
Discussion leader: James Wilcox

2013
The House on Coliseum Street
Shirley Ann Grau
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2012
A Confederacy of Dunces
John Kennedy Toole
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2011
Of Love and Dust
Ernest J. Gaines
Discussion leader: Reggie Scott Young

2009
Same Place, Same Things
Tim Gautreaux
Discussion leader: Gary Richards

2008
All the King's Men
Robert Penn Warren
Discussion leader: Gary Richards