The annual Vancouver Writers Fest has announced the complete lineup of  its 2019 edition, revealing an even deeper commitment to its long-standing mission of taking on large, urgent issues. And, let’s face it, there have been more than enough large, urgent issues to contend with in recent times. The news is full of emergencies, whether environmental, social, or political. What better alternative to panic than focused thought, imagination, and empathy—all things that books can supply naturally?

The weeklong fest, which runs this year from October 21 to 27 and features more than 100 authors,  officially kicks off with the Alma Lee Opening Night Event on October 22. Tanya Talaga—journalist and 2018 CBC Massey lecturer, as well as guest curator of the festival—will be featured in conversation with writer and broadcaster Jael Richardson, exploring Talaga’s work on Canada’s record of abuse in its relations with Indigenous peoples, and on mapping the path to change.

Elsewhere, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik addresses the besieged state of liberalism (October 26), renowned author and activist Naomi Klein sets out the stakes for action on climate change (October 26), and former chief justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin talks about her new memoir of a groundbreaking career (October 27), to name just a few of the events plugged straight into current affairs.

Alongside this is a teeming roster of acclaimed novelists, storytellers, and poets, including such names as Emma Donoghue, Lynn Coady, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Sean Michaels, and Lee Maracle, recent nominee for the prestigious Neustadt Prize, commonly referred to as the “American Nobel”. Often they’ll be gathering into groups and panels, such as when Mona Awad, Elif Batuman, and Anakana Schofield converge on October 24 to discuss their best-selling, humour-fuelled works, or when an October 22 International Showcase brings together Malaysia’s Tash Aw, Nigeria’s Chigozie Obioma, and Philippines-born American author Joanne Ramos.

Tickets may well go fast for some of these dates. Bibliophiles should also note Saturday Books & Ideas on the fest’s calendar, a program of 14 free or pay-what-you-can events taking place on October 26.

For the full lineup and details, go to the VWF website.