Head down to a book festival this autumn
This month brings a brace of local literary festivals- promising dozens of brilliant book events and compelling conversations. Here are some of the highlights...
Guildford Book Festival
- October 1-18
- Book here
Chris Bryant- Code of Conduct
- October 17, 6.30 pm
- The Electric Theatre
- £13.50-15
From Boris Johnson’s lies to Owen Paterson’s lobbying, the Labour MP and chair of the Committee on Standards explains how things got so bad and how the problem may be fixed.
Carrie Dunn – Women Up
- October 15, 4 pm
- St Mary’s Church Guildford with Guildford Methodist Church
- £9-10
Following the triumph of England’s Lionesses at Euro 2022, football journalist Carrie Dunn shines a light on the evolution of women’s football – and the gender gaps that persist.
Timothy West – Pru and Me
- October 4, 8.15 pm
- The Electric Theatre
- £13.50-15
Actor Timothy West gives a loving account of his 60-year marriage to actress Prunella Scales, who was diagnosed with dementia 20 years ago.
Kate Mosse – The Ghost Ship
- October 4, 6.30 pm
- The Electric Theatre
- £13.50-15
Bestselling novelist Kate Mosse speaks to Stephanie Merritt about her latest book, inspired by the real-life story of pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
A Walk and Talk with Duncan Minshull – Where My Feet Fall
- October 15, 11 am
- Hatchlands Park
- £9-10
Leading a walk around the lovely leafy grounds of Hatchlands Park, Duncan will be pausing every so often to read extracts from his latest book, a collection of 20 essays by leading writers who share their own experiences of walking.
Wimbledon Bookfest
- October 12-22
- Book here
Annie Macmanus – The Mess We’re In
- October 13, 8 pm
- Merton Arts Space (Wimbledon Library)
- £12.50
DJ, author and broadcaster Annie Mac discusses her latest book, which follows the life of a young Irishwoman finding her feet and her sound at a memorable point in London’s cultural and musical history.
Clive Myrie – In conversation with Toby Mundy
- October 21, 4:30 pm
- Baillie Gifford Auditorium (Wimbledon High School)
- £20
The host of Mastermind shares his life experiences and what he has learned about the intersection of the personal and the professional.
David Baddiel – The God Desire
- October 22, 2:30 pm
- Baillie Gifford Auditorium (Wimbledon High School)
- £15-17.50
Stand-up comedian, activist and presenter David Baddiel isn’t afraid of a big question – and his latest book, The God Desire, asks one of the biggest: does God exist? David will converse with broadcaster, journalist and festival patron Samira Ahmed.
Danny Cipriani – Who Am I?
- October 19, 8 pm
- Baillie Gifford Auditorium (Wimbledon High School)
- £15-17.50
One of the most polarising personalities in rugby, Danny reflects on playing under Martin Johnson, Stuart Lancaster and Eddie Jones and talks openly about his attempts to escape his demons. Danny grew up in Wimbledon and attended local schools Donhead and Whitegift.
Rose Tremain – Absolutely and Forever
- October 18, 6 pm
- Rutherford Theatre (Wimbledon High School)
- £12.50
Rose Tremain, one of our greatest living writers, discusses her most personal novel yet. In her 80th year, Rose reflects on a life’s work in conversation with Erica Wagner, author critic and former literary editor of The Times.
Tom Holland – Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age
- October 22, 4 pm
- Rutherford Theatre (WimbledonHigh School)
- £15
Award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and co-host of the popular The Rest Is History podcast, Tom Holland, introduces his third Roman history epic, Pax.
Ben Okri – The Wasteland
- October 15, 8 pm
- Rutherford Theatre (WimbledonHigh School)
- £20
A stirring one-man performance of T.S. Eliot’s iconic long poem by one of Britain’s most acclaimed poets and novelists, Ben Okri.
Emma Gannon &Thomas Curran– The Myth of Perfection
- October 14, 4 pm
- Rutherford Theatre (Wimbledon High School)
- £15
What if we were told that our obsession with achievement is a trap? Join author and broadcaster Emma Gannon and acclaimed LSE professor and the world’s leading expert on perfectionism Thomas Curran, to discuss how to create a culture that celebrates the joys of imperfection.
Lisa Snowdon – Just Getting Started
- October 15, 4:30 pm
- Baillie Gifford Auditorium (Wimbledon High School)
- £15-17.50
The best is yet to come, says TV presenter and model Lisa Snowden, as she talks openly about ageing, menopause and how to reframe tough life stages as golden opportunities in conversation with Dr Naomi Potter, co-author with Davina McCall of the bestselling Menopausing.
