Book lovers and literacy advocates can foster their causes and enjoy members-only benefits at the same time by becoming a Friend of the Festival for the Tucson Festival of Books. Each tax-deductible donation helps defray festival expenses and offers support for TFOB charitable recipients. Friends are invited to special member-only events throughout the year and during the festival. These include coffee hours and exclusive meet-and-greets with authors.

"When you become a Friend of the Festival, you become a part of one of the major sponsors of the Tucson Festival of Books," says Friend of the Festival Co-chair Allyson Tofel. "This is one of the ways the we can keep the festival free to the public."

To become an individual member it is a $30 minimum donation and family memberships are a $50 minimum. Visit the TFOB website to become a Friend of the Festival. Please stop by a Friend of the Festival booth this weekend. If you are already a Friend, be sure to pick up your window cling and visor!