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Feats Of Memory
Memoirist Blake Morrison, an enthusiastic lifelong reader of other people’s lives, brings a delightful compendium of musings of narrative non-fiction to the Festival. His latest book On Memoir: An A-Z of Life Writing is a treasure trove of thoughtful literary exploration and amusing observations. From AI to ethics, politics to sex, he explores the challenges…
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Benefits Of Reading
It’s official. Reading is good for you according to a study published on a recent front page of The Times (15 Sept). Researchers at the University of Cambridge have said that regardless of “what or how we read”, sitting down with a book is linked to improved health and problem solving. The report, published in…
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Advice on Allergies
Hayfever may be on the wane with the end of summer, but allergies are on the rise worldwide, and one in three UK adults experiences allergic reactions at some point during their lifetime. Broadcaster and author Rebecca Seal offers some welcome relief in her book Irritated: The Allergy Epidemic and What We Can Do About…
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A Golden Success
Best-selling author Louisa Young continues her aunt Elizabeth Jane Howard’s much-loved Cazalet Chronicles in her new novel published this month (3 Sept) and already receiving rave reviews. The Golden Hours continues three decades of the Cazalet family saga, now moved to the early 1960s, where a new generation of Cazalets is growing up in a…
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A new Normal
Comedian and poet Henry Normal is appearing at the Festival ahead of recording a new series for BBC Radio 4 where he has written and performed several shows in which he uses poetry, storytelling and comedy to explore life’s big questions. Co-writer of the award-winning Mrs Merton Show and of the BAFTA-winning Paul and Pauline…
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Longlisted for a prize
Andrea Wulf is on the longlist for The Baillie Gifford Prize 2026 announced on 3 September for her book The Traveller: The Revolutionary Life of George Forster and His Search for Humanity. The Baillie Gifford Prize rewards excellence in non-fiction writing, bringing the best in intelligent reflection on the world to new readers. Judges said…
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Bowie By A Superfan
Before David Bowie fans rush to see the tribute concert Bowie By Candlelight at Wells Cathedral in November, here’s a chance for Festival goers to discover what shaped the late musician’s music. Journalist and Bowie superfan Peter Ormerod has written a new biography that delves into Bowie’s quest for spirituality, taking in his first musical…
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Playing With Numbers
Two authors who are interested in numbers – one in googology, one in global economics – both are appearing at the Festival, and both are likely to be fascinating speakers. What’s googology? It’s the study of huge numbers, as mathematical logician Richard Elwes explains in his book called just that – Huge Numbers: A Story…
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Voice From The Grave
Former war correspondent and best-selling author Damien Lewis brings to life WWII Special Forces hero Archie Gibson in his new book Behind Enemy Lines. Gibson miraculously survived a harrowing attack in the desert by an 88mm German gun and went on to spearhead a string of daring missions by the Long Range Desert Group patrol,…
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Climate Upheaval
After a summer of wildfires, drought and natural disasters across the world – and the first hosepipe ban in Somerset in 50 years – climate and geopolitics expert Arthur Snell should prove a fascinating guest at the Festival. In his book Elemental he suggests that, while natural disasters and increased scarcity of food shake the…
