Gary Shteyngart was born in Russia and came to the United States at age seven. He is the author of The Russian Debutante's Handbook, Absurdistan, and most recently, Super Sad True Love Story-- an instant New York Times Bestseller . Shteyngart was named a Granta Best Young American Novelists and a New Yorker "Best Writer Under 40." His novels have been translated into over 24 languages.

Justin Veach is the Library Foundation's Director of New Initiatives responsible for creating programming designed to appeal to new and diverse audiences. He is the producer and host of This is Your Library a new series of live conversations presented in a late night talk show-like format (without the TV) at the Central Library. Justin is a third generation Angeleno, a veteran of the US Coast Guard, former performance artist, and one-time gallery owner who has been producing literary events for 20 years.