I go to the library every week and check out a huge stack of books. Admittedly, I don’t always read everything I bring home, but I get through as many as I can before it’s time to return them.

Something about having that pile sitting by my bedside reminds me that there are always more stories we can hold inside of us. This, to me, is what reading’s all about. There’s nothing better than the feeling of turning the page and discovering with bated breath whatever plot twist awaits you. I’ve always been a reader. I always will be.

When I finished the final pages of “Good Dirt” by Charmaine Wilkerson earlier this week, I couldn’t help but feel struck by the ability of a book to transport us elsewhere. To a different time, a different place. We get to live in other people’s shoes for whatever time span lies between the covers of the novel. We get to travel without leaving our couches.

I don’t know if magic exists, but either way, I think reading is about as close as you can get.

If you’re a book lover like me, you’re in luck! This weekend marks the second annual New Hampshire Book Festival, coming right to downtown on Saturday. The Monitor will even have a table on the street during the event, so make sure to stop by and say hi in person.

Like every week, I’ve compiled a list of the hottest happenings to help shape your weekend. Today, however, I find myself with more exciting events to share than I know what to do with. Do with that as you will, and enjoy the weekend no matter how you choose to spend it.

Multi-day events

On Friday, catch the speeches kicking off the New Hampshire Book Festival, with Tui Sutherland delivering the children’s keynote at 10 a.m. and Walter Mosley giving the evening keynote at 7 p.m. Both events will be held at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Then, on Saturday, the book festival will take over part of Main Street, with a costume parade of favorite book characters, author panels, community booths and more. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate all things literary! More info can be found at https://www.nhbookfestival.org/.

Head to NHTI for the Manhattan Short Film Fest, featuring 10 short films from around the globe. The film festival takes place from Friday through Sunday and serves as the kick-off for the community college’s 26th annual Friday Night Film Series. With screenings happening throughout the weekend, you’ll have ample time to catch a film or two. Admission costs $10 for the public and is free for NHTI students. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or check. To learn more, visit nhti.edu/events.

Friday, October 3

With the theme of “Spooky Season,” this month’s First Friday features an Oktoberfest in Bicentennial Square, live music, evening shopping, food trucks, soccer and more in downtown Concord. Don’t miss this exciting start to October, running from 4-8 p.m. https://www.firstfridayconcord.com/october.

Saturday, October 4

Eight groups from around the area will gather at the MainStreet Stage and Amphitheater in Warner for the Warner Ukelele Fest a day of music and workshops. The musical event runs from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. and is geared towards people of all ages, so make sure to stop by!

For more music in your weekend, visit the Fiddle Festival at the Concord Community Music School, featuring workshops and performances throughout Saturday. If you or anyone else you know loves the fiddle or wants to explore it more, then this is the place to be! Check it out at https://www.ccmusicschool.org/event/fall-fiddle-festival-workshops-concert-2/

Sunday, October 5

Head to Henniker’s Main Street for the Henniker Community Market’s Handmade & Homegrown. The event will spotlight 90 local artists, a variety of farms, live music performers, an array of food trucks and lots of activities geared towards children. Check out https://www.facebook.com/HennikerCommunityMarket to learn more.

If you’re looking for something a little different

In the spirit of books, and if you hold an interest in national — and local — history, consider venturing to Maine on Thursday, October 9 for a talk with author Adam Higginbotham on his new book “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” at 6:30 p.m. at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel. Higginbotham will be joined by Pat Callaghan, a former TV journalist and news anchor (WCSH-TV, Portland), who reported on the Challenger story live in 1986. Concord High School teacher Christa McAuliffe was the Teacher in Space aboard the space shuttle 39 years ago. For more information:  https://vinhillmusic.com/performance/a-conversation-with-adam-higginbotham-a-benefit-for-graves-memorial-library/.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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