As the pages of history turn, we find ourselves reflecting on a remarkable milestone—the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the largest book festival in the United States, held on April 26-27, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the University of Southern California campus, this annual celebration of literature brought together thousands of book lovers, authors, and industry professionals for a weekend brimming with literary magic.
Attracting around 150,000 attendees from Southern California and beyond, the festival was a testament to the enduring appeal of literature and the community it fosters. Each event, each conversation, and each shared moment contributed to a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrated the diverse voices and stories that shape our world.
This year, Citi of Books was thrilled to be part of this vibrant gathering, where the love for literature was palpable in the air. Whether you were a lifelong bibliophile or a curious newcomer exploring the world of books, the festival provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share our passion for the written word.
As we look back on this unforgettable weekend, we invite you to join us in reliving the highlights of Citi of Books’ gallery during the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books—a true celebration of the literary arts! A book included in the gallery was “An Old Lion Roars at Dementia” by J. Stewart Schneider.
Stewart Schneider received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 1972. For the remainder of his career, he served as a prosecuting attorney, first for the City of Ashland, Kentucky, then as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, and finally as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Kentucky’s 32nd Judicial Circuit. He held the office for 13 years until 2005 when he was presented with a death-qualified case for the first time.
To his surprise, he found that he could not argue for the death penalty because of his conviction that such an action is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ. As a result, he was voted out of office in 2005. Since 2006, he has served as Stated Supply for Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky.
“An Old Lion Roars at Dementia” reflects the precious and complex nature of human life, particularly from the perspective of an elderly man facing the challenges of vascular dementia. Schneider laments how, at the end of life, we reduce an individual’s existence to mere name and dates on a gravestone, overlooking the richness of their struggles, achievements, and the lessons they leave behind. The book is not an autobiography but an exploration of the author’s thoughts and memories as he confronts the gradual loss of his cognitive abilities, serving as both a personal reflection and a potential guide for others experiencing similar challenges.
Schneider uses the metaphor of a Ferris Wheel to describe the progression of life. As we begin life, we start at the lowest point, only able to see the immediate surroundings. However, as we rise higher, our understanding and perception of the world expand, allowing us to view a broader, interconnected world. At the peak, we feel as though we have mastered everything within our grasp. Yet, just as the Ferris Wheel descends, so too does the trajectory of life, with the inevitable return to a state of decline and loss of autonomy, where the vastness of the world slips away, and we are left to face the encroaching helplessness.
The author likens his experience to that of an “old lion” roaring in frustration and nostalgia, as he tries to assert his existence and reflect on his life while it slowly diminishes. The book represents Schneider’s final attempt to “roar” at the disease and share his perspective, looking back on his life from a place of vulnerability. He emphasizes the need to celebrate life, even as dementia strips him of his abilities, and to recognize the inherent value of human existence beyond the fleeting moments that are often reduced to historical records.
Overall, Schneider concludes with a poignant meditation on the nature of memory and legacy. He recalls the image of his father’s coffin, filled with papers representing his life’s experiences—successes, failures, moments of joy and distress. While his father’s life was reduced to a simple name and dates after death, Schneider argues that this reduction is a heresy against the complexity and value of a human life. The book is ultimately a celebration of life’s messy, chaotic, and beautiful nature, and a call to acknowledge the richness of every individual’s journey, rather than consigning it to the simplicity of birth and death dates.
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