From from literary luminaries to flights of fancy, inspiration is always near in NYC.

Downtown Brooklyn

Brooklyn Book Festival
This annual lit-apalooza brings top talent – Paul Auster, Edwige Danticat, Dan Savage and Mary Higgins Clark to name just a few – and the bookworms who love them to town for a week of panel discussions, readings, parties and much more. This year’s event will feature 80+ authors, more than 104 panels and more than 50 “bookend” events.
September 17-23, see site for times and events
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, 209 Joralemon Street

Chelsea

The Joy of Sake New York 2012
Sample more than 300 premium sakes plus appetizers by 14 of New York's finest restaurants, prizes and more at this sake celebration. The Joy of Sake is a non-profit organization whose mission is sake education, and this annual sake discovery program centers around main events in Honolulu, New York and Tokyo that were organized to provide an unparalleled perspective on the great variety of sake produced today.
Thursday, September 20, 6:00-9:00 PM
The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street
$90 per person

Midtown West

Kite Flight
The Fashion Center BID presents the seventh annual Kite Flight. Join other kite enthusiasts atop the Port Authority Bus Terminal for an afternoon of kite-making, kite-flying, crafts, free food, music and fun.
Sunday, September 23rd, 1– 4 PM
Rooftop parking lot of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, 7th Floor (South Wing), 8th Avenue at 40th Street
$Free

Upper East Side

92nd Street Y Street festival
This street fair is a neighborhood favorite, courtesy of the esteemed 92nd Street Y. This year’s highlights include Wellness Way, a city block offering community health services, the first annual Manhattan Kosher Grilling Challenge, live music, children's entertainment and kids’ arts & crafts, sports, concerts and games, a Greenmarket and much more.
Sunday, September 23, 12 PM
Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street

Financial District

All Tomorrow’s Parties Music Festival: I’ll Be Your Mirror USA 2012
This tightly-curated alternative music festival shifted locations this year and moved to Pier 36, a new indoor space on the edge of the East River with glorious views of Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. As usual, expect a memorable and eclectic lineup of artists including The Afghan Whigs, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Philip Glass, The Roots, Tyondai Braxton and many more.
Friday, September 21-Sunday, September 23, see site for schedule
Pier 36, 299 South Street
Tickets: $60-$190