By Riley Kaminer
Miami’s cultural calendar wouldn’t be complete without the vibrant Miami Book Fair, and this year more than ever, tech and business books are taking center stage. The 41st annual edition, running from November 17-24, is packed with insightful discussions on AI, entrepreneurship, and the world of big tech – a theme that reflects our increasingly tech-driven lives.
Lissette Mendez, the Miami Book Fair’s Executive Director, shared her excitement about the lineup this year, emphasizing how the fair continues to grow in its representation of diverse topics.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of interest in AI and what it means for the future, not only in practical terms but also ethical and philosophical ones,” she told Refresh Miami. Among the headliners is Daniela Rus, director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), who will delve into the intersection of AI and humanity with her two works: The Heart and the Chip: Our Bright Future with Robots and The Mind’s Mirror: Risk and Reward in the Age of AI. Her talks promise to spark critical conversations about the technology reshaping the world.
The fair will also explore the social impact of digital culture, with Ben Smith’s Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral tackling how our obsession with virality has shaped the internet as we know it. Smith’s insight into the rise of web traffic, coupled with his deep dive into tech rivalries, will undoubtedly resonate with the Miami crowd, especially as South Florida’s own tech scene continues to expand.
Mendez also noted a surge in speculative fiction and sci-fi this year, reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of uncertainty and wonder. “There’s a lot of great fiction this year, from sci-fi to magical realism, that holds a mirror up to our times,” she said. Among the highlights is Sierra Greer’s Annie Bot: A Novel, which explores the ethical complexities of AI through a gripping, dystopian narrative. Colin Winnette’s Users: A Novel also dives into this theme, with a plot that examines the way technology transforms everyday life.
For the entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts in Miami, there are plenty of titles to pique their interest. Kara Swisher, the outspoken journalist famous for her incisive takes on Silicon Valley, will be presenting her latest book, Burn Book: A Tech Love, which offers both sharp criticism and personal reflections on her time covering the industry. The lineup also includes Andrew Smith’s Devil in the Stack: Searching for the Soul of the New Machine, a look at the hidden costs of the digital revolution; and Coco Krumme’s Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization, which questions our pursuit of perfection in a world obsessed with efficiency.
Beyond the books, the fair’s famous street festival returns on November 22-24, bringing even more excitement. As Mendez explained, the live music stage continues to anchor the festival, offering local bands a platform and drawing in attendees who might not have initially come for the books.
“We love that we can showcase local talent, and often people who come for the music end up discovering something new in the author events or on the shelves,” she said.
The children’s area, always a big draw, is expanding this year as well, with more activities, more authors, and an appearance from FIFA’s Children’s Valley, featuring soccer drills and educational programming in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup. It’s another reflection of Miami’s role as a global city, blending art, culture, and sport in a way only this city can.
As Miami grows into its reputation as a tech hub, it’s clear that the Miami Book Fair is evolving alongside it, offering something for everyone from the curious reader to the tech entrepreneur looking for the next big idea. With an expected attendance of over 65,000 people, this year’s event promises to be an even bigger celebration of literature, culture, and innovation.
WHAT: Miami Book Fair
WHERE: Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus (3100 NE 2nd Ave, Miami 33137)
WHEN: November 17-24 with the street fair on November 22-24
WHO: Book lovers of all ages and backgrounds
HOW: Learn more on their website and purchase tickets
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