At this year's LA Times Festival of Books, readers are invited to explore stories that transcend the ordinary—where faith is awakened, hearts find home, and spirits seek deeper connection. Featured at the Inks & Bindings booth (Booth 978, Black Zone), three compelling titles come together in a carefully curated showcase that celebrates the power of storytelling across genres. Distinct in voice yet unified in purpose, each work explores transformation in its own profound way.
Leading the collection is “Visitation: An Intensely Personal Narrative” by Art Perkins, a spiritual memoir and religious nonfiction work that recounts a Christian witness to a UFO encounter. Moving beyond typical extraterrestrial accounts, the book centers on a profound spiritual awakening that shifted Perkins from agnosticism to Christian belief, accompanied by a renewed understanding of the nature of God. Alongside its detailed retelling of the experience and its aftermath, it explores connections between the UFO phenomenon, biblical teachings, and the Holy Godhead, offering a distinctive interpretive lens on faith and divine interaction. With a background in electronics engineering and experience as a certified flight instructor, Perkins brings both analytical clarity and spiritual reflection to his narrative, now shared through his life in rural Washington with his wife, Carolyn.
Shifting into a gentler, more intimate narrative, “The Kittician Kitty” by Patricia Viles-Antonellis offers a heartfelt children's story inspired by true events. The book follows a lost kitten from the island of St. Kitts who finds a new home and a renewed sense of belonging in the United States. Rooted in themes of comfort, healing, and found family, the story carries emotional depth beneath its simple premise. Drawing from her background as a high school teacher in history and psychology, Viles-Antonellis brings thoughtful insight into experiences of loss, resilience, and care. Her years of counseling students facing developmental challenges and addiction further shape a compassionate, human-centered perspective that resonates with readers of all ages.
Rounding out the collection is “I Only Walk On Water When It Rains” by Patty L. Luckenbach, a spiritually expansive work that explores metaphysical themes through a deeply personal lens. Framed through intimate conversations with the Great Bear Spirit, the book invites readers into a journey of self-discovery, interconnectedness, and the divine presence within all life. Dr. Luckenbach, an Associate Minister, educator, and honorary doctorate recipient, draws from a lifetime of spiritual study and service. As a hunka, or adopted member, of the Lakota-Sioux Rosebud Nation, her writing reflects a deep respect for indigenous spirituality, enriched by her academic background in psychology, counseling, and thanatology. Her voice is both grounding and expansive, encouraging readers to reflect on their own spiritual paths.
Although these three titles differ in genre, they all meet at a shared emotional core: transformation. Whether it's a shift in faith, a journey toward belonging, or a search for deeper meaning, each book speaks to the universal human desire to understand one's place in the world and beyond it.
Catch these titles live and in their element at the Inks & Bindings booth during this year's LA Times Festival of Books. All three books are available for purchase on Amazon and are also featured on the Inks & Bindings Special Online Feature at https://inksandbindings.com/latfob-2026/.
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