Each year, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books buzzes with increasing energy and vibrancy as more attendees flock to the event. From avid readers and casual book lovers to literary enthusiasts and industry professionals, crowds gather to celebrate the joy of reading.
As the largest book festival in the United States, the event kicked off with a grand two-day celebration last April at the University of Southern California. Visitors, including book enthusiasts, collectors, authors, and publishers, enjoyed the festivities free of charge.
Many attendees gravitated towards the Citi of Books booth in search of their next literary adventure and to meet up with their favorite author. Last April 20th, at the University of Southern California, Michael Franklin Varro Jr. signed and gave out copies of his insightful book, “Stories from the Boxcar: A Spiritual Journey.”
Frank Varro, author of “Stories from the Boxcar,” is a retired Methodist pastor, prison and hospice chaplain, missionary, teacher, counselor, and musician. He is from a three-generation family of Chinese missionaries. This ‘Quilogy’ (five books in one) is the story of his paternal Hungarian-immigrant heritage and his maternal-missionary heritage. It relates to his father’s boyhood home—a boxcar on a siding in Regina, Saskatchewan—from which came his father’s many stories and life’s lessons, which is the theme of Dr. Varro’s book—pictures of his own life, struggles, victories, and detours along the way.
“Stories From the Boxcar: A Spiritual Journey” is based on true stories, actual history, and oral tradition. Many names and places were changed or added. Many parts of the story, if unknown, were either added or changed for dramatic purposes.
Stories from the Boxcar is a work that draws on the memoirs of Frank’s late father and mother and his father’s siblings and relatives. The book was filled with stories from different people that are truly inspiring.
The lively author was filled with energy as he interacted with fair-goers. He delightfully talked and discussed his book with them, from the young book lovers to the grown book enthusiasts. This was a successful and blissful festival of books for everyone.
Like what you just read?