Podcast Summary
Overview
Episode: Ep 497: The Magic of Bringing Book Lovers Together
Podcast: What Should I Read Next?
Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival
Date: October 7, 2025
This episode delves into the unique appeal and inner workings of the Charleston Literary Festival, highlighting the importance and resurgence of live literary events. Anne and Sarah explore the joys, surprises, and community found at book festivals, with practical insights and inspiration for anyone curious or nervous about attending.
Main Theme
Celebrating the magic of book lovers coming together at literary festivals—especially the Charleston Literary Festival—Anne and Sarah discuss what makes for a memorable in-person book event, the curation process, the festival’s origins, and how to make the most out of your festival experience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Charleston Literary Festival: Origins and Essence
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History:
- Founded in 2017 in Charleston, SC, as an offshoot of the 40-year-old literary festival at Charleston House, Sussex, UK—home of the Bloomsbury Group.
- Now in its 9th year, it’s expanded from a 3-day to a 10-day festival each November.
- Original UK inspiration focused on literary conversations, art, and the "Bloomsbury spirit."
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Charleston’s Role
- The city’s rich, complex history, walkability, tight-knit community, and real Southern hospitality shape the festival’s intimate and inclusive atmosphere.
- “Charleston holds the whole history of the United States in its cobblestones.” (B, 11:29)
2. Festival Structure and Unique Features
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One Stage, One Program:
- All events are held at Dock Street Theatre, the oldest purpose-built theater in the US.
- No overlapping sessions; attendees can see everything they want without conflicts.
- “There’s not a hotel ballroom in sight…for us, we have this one location, which is the Dock Street Theatre, and we don’t counter program things.” (B, 17:31)
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Hospitality:
- Authors and some attendees are welcomed to parties in private historic homes (including a Jane Austen 250th birthday party and a Gatsby-themed event).
- The city genuinely opens its doors for the festival.
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Curatorial Lens:
- Focus on “literary excellence” defined broadly—prize-winners, books with social relevance, emerging voices, and international representation make up a varied slate.
- Genres range from high literary fiction to memoir, social commentary, and even reality TV stars’ memoirs.
3. Attendance: How Readers Participate
- Flexible Options:
- VIP weekend experiences (access to all events, local tours, private parties).
- Book club concierge service: travel-planning help and special discounts for groups.
- Individual tickets available for specific events—with advanced and on-the-door options (though sell-outs occur quickly).
- “People love to travel with their book clubs…people are in their book clubs for years and years and years.” (B, 25:23)
4. The Resurgence of In-Person Literary Events
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“In person events are back, baby.” (B, 28:48)
- Despite virtual access, there’s renewed hunger for live events.
- This year’s Charleston ticket sales doubled those of the previous year.
- The festival’s events are built on authentic conversation between authors, with audience involvement and plenty of spontaneous and serendipitous moments. House lights stay up to encourage mingling.
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Broader Relevance:
- Live events foster a sense of connection missing from algorithm-driven digital life.
- “Who challenges us and who broadens our sense of the world? … people are craving it in person now more than ever.” (B, 31:50)
5. Curating Surprise & Serendipity
- Spontaneity Built In:
- Festival design encourages attendees to try one event outside their comfort zone.
- Attendees often discover fascinating new authors and topics—a joy echoed by both Anne and Sarah.
- “Try and surprise yourself when you’re choosing your events…pick something that’s a total black box for you.” (B, 40:32)
6. Sarah Moriarty’s Personal Reading Life
- Broadened Horizons:
- Her role as curator has expanded her reading, leading her to discover and delight in read she wouldn’t have sought out—like a biography of Ronald Reagan or local history topics.
- Adaptive Reading Habits:
- She consumes nonfiction via audiobooks, especially memoirs, and reserves literary fiction for print. She happily reads in all formats—paper, ebook (on Libby), audio.
- “I’m not precious whatsoever about how I read...Just do. And also sometimes if I have to read something or…I just like read the first five pages and then...suddenly you’re like 45 pages in.” (B, 44:13)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Charleston’s depth:
“Charleston holds the whole history of the United States in its cobblestones.”
— Sarah Moriarty (B, 11:29) -
On why curation matters:
“We want to bring...literary excellence, and we define that in lots of different ways.”
— Sarah Moriarty (B, 21:05) -
On post-pandemic in-person events:
“In person events are back, baby.”
— Sarah Moriarty (B, 28:48) -
On event format:
“There’s an intimacy to conversation. There’s a spontaneity...the magic of the thinking on the spot and thinking in the room.”
— Sarah Moriarty (B, 29:51) -
On attendee advice:
“Some things, you know, some things you’re interested in and something that might be a black box.”
— Sarah Moriarty (B, 41:07)
Important Timestamps
- 06:18: Sarah introduces herself, the festival, and her role.
- 08:10: Festival’s historical roots and UK connection explained.
- 11:29: Why Charleston is the perfect host city.
- 16:04: Charleston’s hospitality, private home events, and festival distinctives.
- 17:53: Single-stage format discussion.
- 21:05: Behind the scenes of festival curation.
- 25:23: How readers and book clubs can attend.
- 28:48: Return of live literary events post-pandemic.
- 29:51: Why conversations (not presentations) matter.
- 33:15: The joy of discovering new authors by surprise.
- 36:48: Sarah’s personal pick highlights and upcoming events she’s excited for.
- 40:32: Sarah’s practical advice for first-time attendees.
- 42:24: How curating the festival changed Sarah’s reading habits.
Practical Advice for Festival Goers
Sarah’s top three recommendations:
- Secure tickets early—events do sell out.
- Choose a mix: Go for things you already care about, things you're curious about, and a “black box” session to surprise yourself.
- Bring friends and be open to meeting new people—community and conversation are at the heart of the festival.
Episode Tone
The conversation is warm, generous, enthusiastic, and deeply inviting—reflecting the spirit of Southern hospitality and a love of books and community. The episode is a celebration of serendipity, variety, and the transformative power of coming together over stories.
For more information:
- Charleston Literary Festival
- Full list of books mentioned and detailed festival info: whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com