Summer reads are one thing, but the Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival is quite another. In its fifth year, the festival occurs the first weekend in August every other year and highlights the Island’s rich literary history while bringing some of the best known authors to the Vineyard. The weekend features some of the country’s leading authors and includes readings, panel discussions, author interviews and book signings. This year’s list of authors includes Eric Asimov, Linda Greenlaw, Tony Horwitz, Geronimo Johnson, Ward Just, Jamaica Kincaid, Dick Lehr, Adam Mansbach, Richard Russo, Laura Wainwright and Rose Styron.

The festival’s mission is to provide the opportunity for authors and readers to meet, to engage with one another in a relaxed and beautiful setting and to allow each to find new meaning in their work and discover new works. The festival features authors of national acclaim as well as local writers, and covers a diversity of genres to appeal to many different interests and ages, Island residents and summer visitors.

On Saturday, August 3, the festival will be held at the Harbor View Hotel on North Water street overlooking the outer Edgartown harbor. On Sunday, August 4, the festival will move up-Island to the grounds of the Chilmark Community Center. Hours each day will be approximately 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is free and open to all.

The author speaking schedule for each day will be announced in coming weeks and will be available at the festival website mvbookfestival.com.