This year’s Guernsey Literary Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever, with 52 events and a fantastic range of speakers. Some of the big names include TV chef Tom Kerridge, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock, journalist Jon Sopel, and human rights campaigner Baroness Shami Chakrabarti.
We're excited to be hosting 18 events at the Library, including a Crime Panel with novelists Clare Mackintosh and Asia Mackay, plus interactive family events with some brilliant children’s authors and illustrators.
While you wait for the Festival to get underway, why not get reading? On this list we've gathered a few of the authors visiting this year, with links to their back catalogue so you can borrow for free from the Library! Keep scrolling to find out more.
The Festival runs from Friday 25 April til Sunday 4 May. Tickets are on sale now at guernseyliteraryfestival.com.
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- Jenny O’Brien
On Saturday 26 April, Nick Le Huray will be talking to local author Jenny O’Brien about her new novel The Book of Lost Children, set in Nazi-occupied Guernsey. Before you discover Jenny’s latest book, why not delve into her previous novels including the popular crime thriller series featuring Detective Gaby Darin.
Borrow books by Jenny O’Brien here. Book a ticket to her talk here.
- Sam McAlister
Adapted into an EMMY-nominated Netflix film starring Billie Piper and Gillian Anderson, Scoops is the story of how Guernsey's own Sam McAlister clinched the infamous 2019 BBC interview with Prince Andrew.
Known as a 'booker extraordinaire' and responsible for many of Newsnight's exclusives over the past decade, at her talk at St James on Saturday 26 April Sam will give a backstage pass to the most unforgettable journalism of our times.
Borrow Scoops by Sam McAlister here. Book a ticket to her talk here.
- Levison Wood
On Wednesday 30 April, renowned explorer Levison Wood will be discussing his latest book The Great Tree Story, about the profound influence forests have had on our planet and civilisation.
Best known for his walking expeditions in Africa, Asia and Central America, Levison has written seven other books including Walking the Himalayas, which won Adventure Travel Book of the Year at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards
Borrow Levison Woods books here. Book a ticket to his talk here.
- Tom Kerridge
If you missed out on tickets for Great British Menu star Tom Kerridge’s sold-out talk on Thursday 1 May, get your recipe fix from the Library instead! The Michelin-starred chef has published lots of great books and is known for his big flavours and beautifully crafted yet accessible food.
Borrow books by Tom Kerridge here.
- Jon Sopel
Jon Sopel is the former BBC News North America editor and chief political correspondent, now host of the hit podcast The News Agents. He'll be at St James on Friday 3 May to talk about his latest book Strangeland: How Britain Stopped Making Sense.
The writer and broadcaster has also written extensively about the White House during Donald Trump’s first term. You can borrow Jon Sopel’s latest book, as well as his other works, from the Library here. Book a ticket to his talk here.
- Dawn O’Porter
Join Guernsey's own Dawn O’Porter on Saturday 3 May as she chats about her latest book, Honeybee - a buzzy new novel about womanhood and the wonders of female friendship.
The TV presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author has written lots of great novels including So Lucky and Cat Lady; a fresh and funny tale about the eponymous feline fan and the unseen depths that lurk beneath her mocked exterior.
Borrow books by Dawn O’Porter here. Book a ticket to her talk here.
FOR KIDS!
- Dapo Adeola
Over the shimmering ocean, up the huge, high mountain, through the deep, dark forest... WE'RE GOING TO FIND THE MONSTER!
Join Children’s Book Prize-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola on Saturday 3 May for this interactive storytelling and live drawing event.
Borrow more books brought to life with Dapo's illustrations here. Book tickets to his event here.
- Sophy Henn
We can't wait for this fun-filled story time on Saturday 3 May. Join award-winning author and illustrator Sophy Henn as she teaches children how to draw brilliant expressions and make a pet ghost to take home.
You can read Sophy’s books, including Attack of the Danger Kittens, on the children’s reading app Sora. Book tickets to her event here.
- Louie Stowell
Calling all Norse myth super fans! On Saturday 3 May, Louie Stowell will be hosting an interactive event about her bestselling Loki: A Bad God’s Guide series. Packed with humour, doodling, acting and facts!
Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, Stowell's effervescent series presents the doodle-heavy diary of trickster god Loki after he is banished to Earth in the body of an eleven-year-old boy.
Borrow books by Louie from the Children’s Library here. Book tickets to her event here.
