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.
In collaboration with Citi of Books, the author of “The Call of the Mourning Doves: Meeting God in Reality,” Mary Kathy Gray, held a successful book signing event during the 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
Mary Kathy Gray was born in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1969, Mary Kathy and her family moved to Arkansas where they operated a commercial poultry and cattle farm. Today, her sons, Larry and Michael live near her home in Dardanelle, Arkansas. In 2017, she became Mary Gray-Sand, marrying Duane Sand who has a son, David.
She was trained as a classical pianist while attending colleges in Texas and Arkansas. Today, her business career has led to helping older citizens with their Medicare Insurance as an Independent Agent. In 1986, Mary Kathy felt led by God to write expressions of His love through poetry, scripture studies, prayers, short stories, novellas, novels, and inspirational articles. She is contributing to the author in six books
Her book was featured by Citi of Books during the 2025 London Book Fair last March 11-13 in Olympia, London.
“The Call of the Mourning Doves: Meeting God in Reality” is an expression of knowing God and developing relationship and fellowship with Him. On these pages, you will come to know the author and the struggles she experienced that brought forth the knowledge, wisdom, and guidance to achieve the relationship she has with God-a relationship you may be longing for.
Throughout this spiritual book, God’s great miracles are shown. How He protects us from Satan, saves our lives from illness, ease our worries, and heals our shattered hearts. He meticulously planned how every creation from miniscule to massive supports life, each for the other.
This book aims for its readers to know that our selfless God is concerned about our needs. He hears our silent cries and our heart’s deep desires. If you made a bad decision, cry your frustrations into His shoulder. He is our guide in this complicated journey of life. God wants His created beings to achieve a plane of faith so high that they can reach Him on His spiritual plane. He wants to connect with us through spiritual intimacy.
In this book, you can learn from your own existence and experiences how to become a holy and communicative entity who is energized by the power of the Holy Spirit to meet with God in reality.