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 “The Witness” by Julia Navin.
Julia Navin, who was born in 2001 in Massachusetts, has completed her new book “The Witness”: a meditative and emotional collection of poetry that explores her personal experiences with trauma and healing.
Author Julia Navin currently resides in Stoneham. She has always been deeply fascinated with the natural flora and fauna of New England and has incorporated this in her poetry along with a passion for the human psyche, fairytales, and spiritual awareness.
Navin introduces her work, writing, “You’ll see the truth of hard-won wisdom, almost pyrrhic if I hadn’t fought for breath at every second, during and since.
“And man is the cruelest animal when he wants to kill and not // eat what he takes and takes and takes from the very foundations. But // they were rotten at the base and were soon replaced upon destruction.
“My peace is my own and so is my innocence. So is what I know // to be real.”
“The Witness” offers a haunting and powerful collection that confronts the profound impact of sexual trauma as one stands on the threshold of adulthood. Through an intricate blend of poems, songs, and reflective suites, Navin crafts a stark testimonial that captures the emotional turmoil and deep wounds left in the wake of such experiences. Her writing is both raw and evocative, drawing readers into the visceral reality of survival and resilience. The collection’s use of evocative imagery and metaphor reveals poetry as an algebra—a personal formula through which Navin processes pain and attempts to make sense of the catastrophe that disrupts the mind and spirit.
Navin’s work is a call to resist the consuming void left by trauma, urging readers to listen closely to the silent echoes of suffering and healing. She likens this void to a black hole in the universe, a dark and consuming space that challenges one’s very existence. Yet, through her poignant words, there emerges a sense of defiance and hope—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is a strength in witnessing, speaking out, and embracing the journey toward healing. “The Witness” is a profound meditation on survival, pain, and the transformative power of poetry to illuminate and resist the shadows of trauma.
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