Hungry? Bite into an edible book with UC Libraries

The University of Cincinnati Libraries will celebrate the International Edible Books Festival with an event 1-2 p.m. on Monday, April 1, in the fifth floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library.

At the event, more than 20 participants will present their edible creations that represent a book in some form. There are few restrictions in creating an edible book — namely, that the creation be edible and have something to do with a book. Submitted entries include edible titles such as "Food: A Love Story" and “A Series of Unfortunate Cupcakes.” Best sellers "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and "The Giving Tree" are represented alongside classics like "Middlemarch," "Where the Red Fern Grows" and "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," among other literary greats. 

As in past years, entries will be judged according to such categories as "Most Literary," "Most Delicious," "Most Hilarious" and "Most Gruesome." In addition, the winners of "Top Student Entry" and "Best Overall Entry" will receive a limited edition UC Libraries T-shirt. After the entries are judged they will be consumed and enjoyed by all in attendance.

According to the International Edible Book Festival website, the edible book was initiated by librarian and artist Judith A. Hoffberg during a 1999 Thanksgiving celebration with book artists. It became an international celebration in 2000 when artist Béatrice Coron launched the Books2Eat website. Traditionally, the event is celebrated on April 1 (April Fools' Day) to mark the birthday of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), a French lawyer and politician who became famous for his book, "Physiologie du gout (The Physiology of Taste)." To view images of the 2018 edible books, visit the UC Libraries Facebook page. 

The Libraries International Edible Books Festival is free and open to the public. Come to celebrate (and eat) "books good enough to eat."