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This year marks a special edition of the Marcus Jewish Community Center’s annual book festival. The JCC will host its 20th annual book fair—one of the premier literary events in the region—Nov. 5 - 20 at the center, located on Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody.

An estimated 10,000 visitors are expected to attend events ranging from book signings and panel discussions to author meet and greets. The events feature a diverse lineup of more than 40 authors, including bestselling writers, rising literary voices and celebrities.

“During the book festival, our community comes together to explore, learn and be uplifted together by these extraordinary authors,” said Sheri Gumer, book festival co-chair. “People come to hear an author discuss his or her book, and can’t wait to come back to another program, this time with friends or family. The festival is such a wonderful, community-building event.”

Regis Philbin is one of the featured celebrity authors. He will appear on Nov. 20 to discuss his memoir How I Got This Way. In his book the talk show host shares with candor and humor what his experiences taught him about achieving success and happiness—and about maintaining both for a lifetime.

On Nov. 12, MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews presents his new book Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero. Matthews has been collecting firsthand JFK stories from the former president’s closest friends and associates to write his newly released book that offers an insightful examination of Kennedy’s life, from privileged child to war hero and president.

Another high profile journalist sheds light on some of the most critical presidential and vice presidential debates of the past four decades. Veteran news anchor Jim Lehrer, who moderated a dozen of those debates, shares his insight on Nov. 8 when he plans to talk about his new book Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain.

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman appears on Nov. 13 to share with his audience the significance of the Sabbath in his life. Lieberman’s book The Gift of Rest: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Sabbath combines personal and political memories with history and religious reflection in his practical how-to guide for incorporating the Sabbath into one’s life.

This two-week festival of bestselling books and celebrity authors had a humble beginning in 1992, when it was a five-day event with just seven authors. Over the years, literary luminaries, such as Norman Mailer and John Updike, have made the JCC Book Festival a highlight of Atlanta’s literary calendar.

The organizers encourage the public to share in the celebration by giving the gift of a good book to American soldiers. Throughout November, the JCC will accept contributions of “gently used” books from a broad range of genres to be sent to military personnel stationed overseas, at stateside bases and veterans’ hospitals.

Tickets to individual events cost less than $20, or visitors can purchase a special package for multiple events that cost $100 for nonmembers or $75 for members. For more details, including a calendar of events, visit www.atlantajcc.org.