There is a certain kind of excitement that can only be found at a book festival. Readers wander from one title to another, authors share the stories behind their work, and unexpected discoveries happen simply because someone decided to pick up a book. That sense of curiosity and connection is what makes the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 such a special literary gathering. Taking place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the festival brings together people who share a love for books while creating opportunities to discover new authors, explore different perspectives, and celebrate the many stories that bring communities together.
The Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 concluded last September 26–27, 2026, marking the festival’s 21st anniversary. The main celebration transforms downtown Winston-Salem into a lively destination for readers, featuring author panels, readings, book signings, exhibitors, vendors, food trucks, and activities for visitors of all ages. The festival also welcomes young readers with a dedicated children’s area where children can participate in activities and receive free books, making the celebration an experience that families can enjoy together.
Literary festivals such as Bookmarks offer something that cannot always be found through a simple visit to a bookstore or an online search. They create a space where readers can encounter books in a more personal way. A panel can provide insight into an author’s creative process, a book signing can turn a title into a memorable keepsake, and an unexpected conversation can lead a reader toward a story they might never have discovered otherwise. It is this combination of literature and human connection that continues to make book festivals valuable to the publishing community.
Among the titles proudly represented by Citi of Books at this year’s festival is “Totally Committed: Till Death Do Us Part” by Timothy Lawrence. The book offers readers another distinctive voice to discover and reflects the variety of stories and perspectives found within our publishing community. We are excited to introduce this work to the festival audience and give visitors the opportunity to explore the author’s ideas, experiences, and creative vision through the pages of the book.
“Totally Committed: Till Death Do Us Part” by Timothy Lawrence is a deeply personal and emotionally honest memoir that chronicles the author’s unwavering devotion to his wife, Gail, as she battles the progressive and devastating effects of Multiple Sclerosis.
Tim Lawrence watched his wife, Gail, endure a 16-year battle with multiple sclerosis while he worked full-time as a city bus driver and devoted the rest of his life to caring for her. As the disease progressed, he witnessed the gradual loss of the woman he loved—grieving her in stages while continuing to show up each day as a husband, father, provider, and part-time caregiver.
In sharing his story, Tim offers an honest and compassionate account of how he managed the emotional, physical, and practical demands of caregiving. He speaks openly about the lessons learned along the way, including the unexpected challenges he and his family should have prepared for, and the difficult decisions no one warns you about in advance.
More than a story of illness, the book is a testament to love, faith, endurance, and the often-unseen sacrifices required by caregivers. Lawrence invites readers into the private realities of marriage tested by chronic disease, revealing how vows spoken in hope are lived out through years of physical exhaustion, emotional strain, and spiritual surrender. Written with humility and candor, the book serves both as a memoir and as a guide for anyone who may one day find themselves caring for disabled loved one.
“Totally Committed: Till Death Do Us Part” is compelling because it tells the truth about caregiving without romanticizing it. Timothy Lawrence does not shy away from discomfort, exhaustion, or doubt, making the story deeply relatable and emotionally powerful. Readers are drawn into a narrative that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, one that challenges conventional ideas about marriage, strength, and devotion.
The book’s honesty allows readers to reflect on their own relationships and responsibilities, while its spiritual grounding offers hope amid despair. Whether read as a memoir, a faith-based reflection, or a caregiving guide, the book leaves a lasting impression by showing that true commitment is not proven in easy moments, but in the willingness to stay when leaving would be easier.
Citi of Books at Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 — celebrating authors, discovering new perspectives, and giving more stories the opportunity to find their readers.