Good Bookish

In a society where many have had their attention spans bankrupted by instant distractions and cheap thrills, the idea of an event to celebrate literature may conjure images of cabals of literati holding opaque discussions about obscure novels.Valissa Smith will have none of that today at the Kansas City Literary Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at on the Plaza. “We try to get rid of the stuffy concept,” says Smith, festival director. Organizers expect thousands to attend panel discussions, readings, workshops and meet-and-greets with writers representing a wide and inclusive swath of literary genres. Authors include Sharon Robinson, writer of children’s books and daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, as well as Ron Hansen, who penned the book The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. For stage schedules and location information, see kansascitylitfest.org. Admission is free.— S.T. Vockrodt

Sat., May 17, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 2008