October marks the start of the literary season in Surrey and South-West London!
Wimbledon BookFest runs from October 17th-27th, with events across the town and beyond. While the ‘Fest’ is active throughout the year – The Merton Big Read and the Big Dreams theatre festival for children are two of its proudest projects – the main festival is an autumnal harvest of big names from the worlds of literature, politics, showbiz and sport.
Meanwhile, now in its 35th year, the Guildford Book Festival (October 6th-20th) boasts its usual eclectic programme of interviews, workshops and talks, with a nature-based walk thrown in. Events take place at a range of Guildford venues, including the Electric Theatre, and further afield at West Horsley Place and Hatchlands Park, with something to suit everyone's tastes!
FOR THE HISTORY BUFF
Operation Biting by Max Hastings
• October 6th – History Day at West Horsley Place
Historians Nicola Tallis, Saul David, Melita Thomas and David Gibbins will all be discussing their work at the former home of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe.
10.30am-4.30pm; £48 admission only or £54 with lunch.
• October 24th – Bestselling military historian Sir Max Hastings talks about his new book, Operation Biting, which reflects on one of the most daring yet least talked about missions of World War II.
Wimbledon High School; 6.30pm; £20.
FOR THE NOVEL CONNOISSEUR
The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse
• October 7th – Catch megaselling author and book festival favourite Kate Mosse discussing The Map of Bones, the final book in her Joubert Chronicles series. The Wimbledon event also features 2024 debut novelist Kaliane Bradley.
Electric Theatre, Guildford; 6.30pm; £16
• October 10th – Adele Parks MBE, bestselling Guildford author and festival patron, hosts a Literary Dinner at the County Club to discuss her new novel First Wife’s Shadow, along with the release of a previous title as a motion movie.
7pm; £45 with two-course meal.
• October 19th – Catch Robert Harris, king of the political thriller, in conversation with Radio 4 Front Row presenter Samira Ahmed.
Wimbledon High School; 4pm; £20.
FOR THE SPORTS LOVER
Brutal by Iwan Thomas
• October 14th – Olympic athleteturned-presenter Iwan Thomas reflects on the toll that life as an elite runner takes on body and mind, as explained in his autobiography Brutal.
• October 24th – Sir Geoff Hurst’s new book, Last Boy of ’66, sees the only surviving member of that World Cup-winning side look back at the big game and reflect on the squandered legacy of an achievement that no English team – male or female – has managed to emulate.
Wimbledon High School; 8pm; £20.
SHOWBIZ STARS
A Pocket Full of Happiness by Richard E Grant
• October 17th – The Great British Sewing Bee star and celebrated designer Patrick Grant will be at both festivals this month, discussing his new book Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish, the need to put quality before quantity and his campaign to end fast fashion.
Electric Theatre, Guildford; 6.30pm; £16.
• October 17th – It’s Strictly season: time to hear from head judge Shirley Ballas about her new novel, Dance to the Death.
Electric Theatre, Guildford; 8.15pm; £16.
• October 20th – Radio and TV broadcaster Vanessa Feltz talks openly about her life and new book, Vanessa Bares All.
Wimbledon High; 7.30pm; £17.50.
• October 26th – A Pocketful of Happiness: actor Richard E Grant on staying grateful in the darkest hour.
Wimbledon High School; 7.30pm; £22.50.
FOR THE FOODIES
Mary's Foolproof Dinners by Mary Berry
• October 19th – Rick Stein discusses his latest book, Food Stories, an exploration of British cuisine.
• October 26th – Cake queen Dame Mary Berry on the secrets of culinary success in Mary’s Foolproof Dinners.
• October 27th – TV presenter and farmer Kate Humble talks sustainable food production, subject of her book Home Made.
Click here to see more of whats in store at Wimbledon BookFest and here for more Guildford Book Festival events! To read about book festivals in London, click here!
