Best-selling authors and their books will pay a weeklong visit to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center during the Viterbi Family Foundation-sponsored 17th annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair from Nov. 3-13. The largest annual Jewish book fair in Southern California will offer thousands of titles that have been carefully vetted by dedicated members on a book selection committee. The committee assures that the freshest and best novels, biographies and memoirs — most published within the last year — have been selected and will be on sale at the multi-day event. Expert committee members will also be on hand to provide advice to gift-givers seeking out the perfect read for loved ones this holiday season. In addition to the bookstore, one of the event’s main highlights is an evening author lecture series, which is set to host more than 40 best-selling writers, journalists and commentators followed by book signings. Cocktail mixers and receptions will preview some of the lectures and book signing events. Book fair speakers include Israeli consul general David Siegel; son of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Gilad Sharon; No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach; and NBC’s Tel Aviv news correspondent Martin Fletcher. A special free family day on Nov. 6 is dedicated entirely to children and families with activities including storytelling, special music performances, a craft station, Kid Zone, obstacle course and visits by a famous puppeteer and best-selling children’s authors. Children are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. Admission to family day and the book fair are free. Admission to the author lectures is $14 to $17. All proceeds from the event will benefit programs at the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture. For more information about the book fair or to purchase tickets for the evening author lectures, visit www.sdjbf.org or call (858) 362-1348.