The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026, held on April 18–19, 2026 at the University of Southern California campus, once again brought together book lovers, authors, publishers, and creatives for a vibrant celebration of literature. Known as one of the largest literary festivals in the United States, the event featured panel discussions, book signings, live performances, and countless booths filled with stories waiting to be discovered. The atmosphere was lively and inspiring, offering something for every kind of reader.
Citi of Books proudly took part in this year’s festival, connecting with attendees from all walks of life. Their booth became a welcoming space where visitors explored a diverse collection of titles and learned more about the company’s publishing and marketing services. Throughout the two-day event, the team engaged in meaningful conversations with aspiring authors, avid readers, and fellow industry professionals, making the experience both productive and memorable.
The participation of Citi of Books in LATFOB 2026 was a valuable opportunity to showcase their growing catalog and strengthen their presence in the global book community. Being surrounded by passionate storytellers and curious readers allowed the team to gain fresh insights into current literary trends while building new relationships. The energy of the festival reflected the shared love for storytelling, reinforcing Citi of Books’ commitment to helping authors bring their work to a wider audience.
Attending book events like the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books continues to play an important role in connecting stories with readers. It opens doors for collaboration, discovery, and inspiration that go beyond the pages of a book. As Citi of Books carries this momentum forward, readers are invited to explore featured titles in their Book Gallery, including “TITLE” by AU.
Malinda Hall, having the pen name Mindy Hall, has spent many years volunteering for non-profit organizations, sitting on their boards of directors and watching the chemistry of groups of people trying to help groups of people. Her salaried jobs have included speech therapy, business manager and teaching math and English. Her current jobs include being a Granny Nanny to her fantastic grandchildren, gardening and being with friends.
“It Takes Two” by Mindy Hall follows Emily Kristich, an overwhelmed but good-hearted mother whose everyday suburban life takes a sharp turn into danger after she becomes involved with a nonprofit called Sustain and Shelter. What begins as a routine attempt to participate in her community quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Emily notices odd behavior among board members, locked file drawers that shouldn’t be locked, missing financials, and an unsettling tension that hangs around the organization’s leadership. Her curiosity seems harmless at first—until she witnesses strange exchanges in parking lots, overhears suspicious conversations, and realizes someone may be hiding far more than bookkeeping errors.
As Emily digs deeper, she becomes entangled in a web of deception, money laundering, and murder tied to two women—Rochelle and Blythe—whose identities and motives twist around each other in shocking ways. Emily’s attempts to uncover the truth put her at odds with dangerous people, including someone willing to carry a gun in her purse and use it. The story escalates as Emily sneaks into locked drawers, swaps files, and narrowly avoids being caught in situations that grow increasingly life-threatening. Bodies turn up, secrets spill out, and Emily’s instinct to protect her children and stay alive becomes her driving force. Even as she pieces together what really happened to victims like Ralph Watkins and Ida, the truth becomes more tangled, especially when Blythe’s desperate motivations for preserving a family come to light.
The novel builds to a tense climax in which Emily faces direct confrontation with a killer and must rely on her wits, her loyal dog Byte, and the shaky hope that help will arrive in time. Caught between compassion and survival, she must decide which truths to reveal and which to bury in order to save innocent people. In the end, It Takes Two weaves domestic life, suburban politics, hidden identities, and criminal intrigue into a suspenseful narrative that shows just how far ordinary people can be pushed—and how bravery can emerge where no one expects it.
Excitingly, “It Takes Two” by Mindy Hall was also displayed in Spanish Edition! This edition makes it possible for even more families and readers of all ages to learn from Mindy’s message in their native language. Whether you’re reading it as Spanish or the original English version, this book offers a reflective, character-centered mystery that thoughtfully weaves together family life, community involvement, and intrigue. Readers who enjoy grounded “amateur sleuth” stories with emotional depth and real-world themes will likely find this novel both compelling and meaningful.
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