One event that is always on my calendar is the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival. An array of interesting conversations with talented author's held across two weeks. It is a must-visit! This year's program did not disappoint with topics including Future Tense, Brilliant Fiction, How To Live A Meaningful Life, Back to Ours, The Front List, and more. Held at the stunning new location - Edinburgh Futures Institute, Lauriston Place. Here are some of the incredible events and the latest book releases mentioned at Edinburgh International Book Festival 2024.
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2024
Can you believe we are almost at the end of August? The month has flown by! It has been a whirlwind of meeting incredible authors, joining in with topical conversations, and enjoying the odd moment sitting in the sunshine and watching the world go by in the Edinburgh Futures Institute Courtyard.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors since 1983.
"Over 100,000 visits were made to our new home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute between 10-25 August 2024, with thousands of curious passers-by exploring and enjoying the new site, as well as almost 70,000 in-person ticket holders" - new director Jenny Niven
The Edinburgh International Book Festival may be over for another year but the party hasn't quite finished yet! There are some incredible events you can still watch online and so many fascinating, entertaining, interesting books that you might like to read, and if you're quick, signed copies too!
Marian Keyes: Disaster Averted
One of my favourite authors, I have been following Marian Keyes since being introduced to her books by a group of Irish girls, while backpacking around Australia back in 1997! Some of her laugh-out-loud novels include Watermelon, Rachel's Holiday, and Last Chance Saloon. This year the bestselling Irish author arrived at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with a hilarious, heart-warming new novel - My Favourite Mistake.
Anna trades in her high-flying life in New York to help her friends open a wellness retreat in a tiny Irish town. When the locals protest its opening, Anna must make amends with the help of an old flame.
I was unable to join the conversation live in person, but did you know that many conversations are streamed and also available to replay later? Watch Marian Keyes at Edinburgh International Book Festival online.
My Favourite Mistake is now available in hardback from Waterstones. If you get in quickly, you might be able to order a signed copy.
Leslie Hills: A Love Letter To Edinburgh
The history of 'Auld Reekie' is brought to life in new ways by film producer Leslie Hills in 10 Scotland Street, her first book. It's a kaleidoscopic portrait of one house, where we meet booksellers, silk merchants, sailors, preachers, politicians, and explore its far-reaching connections stretching across the globe over two centuries.
Watch Leslie Hills being interviewed by Val McDermid online at Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Caroline Eden: Culinary Journey
My mouth was watering as we sat in the historic Spiegeltent and listened intently as Caroline described some of the incredible dishes in her new book Cold Kitchen. An honest, heart-warming memoir, drawing upon memories and gathered recipes that bring her travels in Central Asia, Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe to life.
I can't wait to delve in and make some of the incredible recipes including watermelon, feta and mint salad, as well as, some of the delicious-sounding Middle East apricot cookies.
What recipe from Cold Kitchen will you make first on your culinary journey?
An Afternoon With Jenny Colgan
Beloved Scottish Author Jenny Colgan is an international superstar, she has sold 10 million copies of her books in more than 30 countries. Celebrating her latest book, Close Knit, a new tale of friendship, family, and opportunity as a young women leaves the comfort of her community knitting circle on a remote Scottish island to embrace a high-flying lifestyle.
As well as this spectacular new book - Close Knit, which I am so looking forward to reading. I am excited to share, that something special is coming this Christmas!
On Resilience: Vincent Deary
'Often the first casualty of stress is joy' says health psychologist Vincent Deary.
An expert in fatigue, Deary has spent his career helping people pushed past their limits. His latest book, How We Break - thoughtfully unpacks how overwhelm happens and how it's affecting our bodies and minds.
Lorraine Kelly: Escape To Orkney
Beloved broadcaster Lorraine Kelly first visited Orkney in 1985 and has returned every year since then. Inspired, her debut novel, and instant Sunday Times best-seller - The Island Swimmer is set in Orkney. A tale of facing the past, self-discovery, and the healing power of the sea.
Val McDermid: Meet Queen Macbeth
Bestselling author Val McDermid is widely recognised as Scotland's 'Queen of Crime'. In her latest book, she meets another queen: the real Lady Macbeth. Plunging into the dark world of medieval Scotland, Queen Macbeth is a tale of treachery, massacre, and ruthless ambition.
Tracy Chevalier & Harriet Constable: The Floating City
Two fascinating novels, untold stories, set in historical Venice. Harriet Constable's debut novel The Instrumentalist and Tracy Chevalier with The Glassmaker, her 11th novel in a career including Girl with a Pearl Earring. Fascinating discussion as they talk to Lennie Goodings with stories of defiant creative women, glass, and music.
Alexander McColl Smith: A Passion For Fiction
Alexander McCall Smith returns to unveil a new series and offer a welcome update on our favourite agency in Botswana. Meet Katie Donald, who finds herself running a dating company for Edinburgh's lonely hearts. Told with wit and warmth, The Perfect Passion Company promises to delight while our reunion with Precious Ramotswe in The Great Hippopotamus Hotel is a much-anticipated treat.
Tim Spector: Go With Your Gut
Food gives us life, yet diet misinformation abounds. Bestselling author and epidemiologist Tim Spector is here to separate fact from fiction - and to reassure us that we can love our bodies and food equally. Drawing on new research, Food for Life is an award-winning guide through gut health, food myths, and processed diets.
James Crawford: Traces of the Past
The search for hidden landscapes drives the work of Shetland-born author James Crawford. Whose books have explored borders, lost buildings, and - in conjunction with his BBC series Scotland from the Sky - the views revealed by photography from the air. Today he talks about his latest work, Wild History: Journeys into Lost Scotland, in a conversation about searching for the nation's abandoned buildings and landmarks.
Watch the discussion with James Crawford as he delves into Wild History: Journeys into Lost Scotland.
Rachel Roddy: The Roman Way
Rachel Roddy never intended to stay in Rome, but two weeks after visiting the market at Testaccio, she signed a year-long lease on a flat nearby. Five Quarters: Recipes and Notes from a Kitchen in Rome tells the story of that year and of the city she grew to love. Almost ten years since the first edition, Rachel reflects on her life today and the simplicity of Roman cooking.
Inspiring event hearing about the wedge-shaped quarter of Rome - Testaccio, the old slaughterhouse, bustling food market - where Rachel's Italian adventure began. Do you know how to cook pasta al dente? And discovering the Italian essential kitchen utensil!
Five Quarters: Recipes and Notes from a Kitchen in Rome is now available in hardback at Waterstones.
The Front List: Richard Osman In Conversation With Ian Rankin
The news of Richard Osman's brand-new series sent millions of readers wild. A worldwide exclusive, he launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Saturday 24th August!
Bestselling Richard Osman chatted to the legendary Ian Rankin about Amy and Steve Wheeler - the first father and daughter-in-law detective combo in crime writing history (we think) - as well as killers, cats, and how, just when you think you know where you're headed, life has other plans.
Oliver Burkeman: On Making It Count
Oliver Burkeman is the international bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks, which explored how we might step back from Being Busy as a core personality trait and make the most of our ridiculously short time on Earth. Discussing his latest work, Meditations for Mortals, with Festival Director Jenny Niven, Oliver Burkeman takes inspiration from a multitude of disciplines to encourage us to think about how we can make our lives meaningful.
It was a very insightful, thought-provoking conversation. I can't wait to delve into Meditations for Mortals.
These were just a few of the incredible conversations that took place and of course, there were lots more books! Which one or more will you delve into?
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