The 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB), held on April 26–27 at the University of Southern California (USC), was a significant cultural event that brought together a diverse array of participants and marked its 30th anniversary with a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and community. The festival is known for attracting a large crowd each year. For instance, the 2024 festival drew over 150,000 attendees, and the 2025 event featured more than 550 writers, experts, and storytellers, along with hundreds of exhibitors.
The festival featured over 100 ticketed author events, children’s storytelling sessions, poetry readings, book signings, and more than 400 exhibitor booths. Notable participants in the 2025 festival included authors such as Stacey Abrams, Jon M. Chu, Amanda Gorman, Chelsea Handler, Ibram X. Kendi, and Rebecca Yarros, among many others. The festival’s success was also attributed to the generous involvement of volunteers who assisted with various aspects of the event, including welcoming attendees, staffing author events, and supervising book signings.
LATFOB 2025 emphasized accessibility and community involvement. General admission was free, with select programming requiring tickets. The festival’s partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs ensured that a wide range of activities were available to attendees of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a welcoming environment for literary enthusiasts and families alike.
As LATFOB celebrates three decades of literary celebration, the 2025 festival underscored the importance of storytelling in shaping culture and community. With its diverse programming and commitment to accessibility, the festival continues to be a premier event for book lovers and cultural aficionados. The success of this year’s event sets a promising precedent for future festivals, ensuring that the tradition of literary celebration will continue to thrive in Los Angeles.
LATFOB 2025 offers a unique opportunity to explore new voices, groundbreaking ideas, and thought-provoking works of art. This year, one of the most anticipated entries is Blended Families by Dr. Larry D. Snapp, D.Min., PNC, and Dr. Carol A. Snapp, D.Min., PNC, showcased in the Book Gallery. This masterpiece serves as a guide for couples navigating remarriage and integrating households. It provides principles to help build a Godly marriage—especially in the context of remarriage—and offers strategies for overcoming common obstacles. The curriculum is based on Scripture from the King James Version of the Holy Bible and is intended for those who have remarried or plan to remarry after divorce or the loss of a spouse.
Dr. Larry and Dr. Carol Snapp are graduates of the College of the Bible and Primus University of Theology. Their curriculum is a collaborative effort, drawing from their academic studies and clinical pastoral experience in Marriage Enhancement and Pneuma Nouthetic Counseling. Pneuma Nouthetic Counseling is a form of Biblical and Christian counseling that admonishes, corrects, and instructs. The Snapps had a vision to restore God’s values in homes and families through this curriculum.
The Snapps were married in December 1979, creating a blended family, as Carol had been previously married and had stepchildren. After 23 years of marriage, they experienced a major crisis, which led them to the NAME marriage ministry and a restored relationship with Jesus. This personal journey inspired them to counsel other couples and develop the teachings found in their book.
Dr. Larry D. Snapp was interviewed by Benjie Cole of CBS Radio. People of Distinction is one of the most wide-ranging radio shows in the United States, hosted by Benjie Cole and Al Cole from CBS Radio. It is an ideal platform for authors and readers to discover newly published books, especially those written by passionate and independent voices. For a more detailed understanding of Dr. Snapp’s inspirations and the story behind the book, you can watch the full interview below:
The book Blended Families addresses several key themes and topics relevant to those navigating the complexities of remarriage and family integration. These include emotional baggage from past failed marriages, remarriage after divorce or the death of a spouse, and differences related to geography, age, religion, race, and culture. It also explores challenges such as in-law relationships, step-parenting, and single-parenting skills. The book emphasizes the importance of recognizing the pitfalls of marriage and remarriage, following God’s roadmap for a healthy relationship, and understanding what constitutes a Godly marriage.
Blended Families was also showcased at the London Book Fair (LBF), held at Olympia London from March 11–13, 2025. The event reportedly attracted approximately 30,000 attendees and experienced a 10-percent increase in sales at the International Rights Center compared to 2024. The Rights Center sold a total of 550 tables, highlighting the growing interest in literary rights and publishing partnerships. With over 1,000 exhibitors, LBF continues to be a premier gathering for the global publishing community.
The London Book Fair offers a platform for forging connections, gaining insights, and influencing the future of creative content. It draws a diverse range of professionals, including publishers, dealmakers, copyright experts, commissioners, and global licensors—all representing the dynamic landscape of the publishing industry.
Blended Families by Dr. Larry D. Snapp, D.Min., PNC, and Dr. Carol A. Snapp, D.Min., PNC, delves deeper into issues affecting blended families. In addition to previously mentioned themes, the book addresses topics such as the distinction between teachable moments versus discipline and punishment, the importance of forgiveness, responding with grace, and earning respect. The Snapps guide readers in identifying “relational landmines” and advocate for embracing God’s priority pyramid—a model that helps place relationships in the correct spiritual and practical order to make the blending process more harmonious.
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