Twenty years ago this October Emma and Alex Milne-White took ownership of The Hungerford Bookshop and, as part of their celebrations, they have lined up their biggest autumn of events ever with some of the UK, and the world’s, bestselling writers.
The autumn kicks off on Thursday 27th August (OK strictly speaking that’s still summer, but it’s very, very nearly autumn!) with local author and bookshop favourite, ROBERT HARRIS talking about his brand-new book, Agrippa. The international bestselling writer returns to Ancient Rome in this page-turning historical thriller published on the day of the event. You will hear about it in Hungerford first!
And then September is a mega month, starting with Daphne du Maurier’s grandson, PAUL DE ZULUETA and his very personal biography of du Maurier, Last Night I Dreamt, on Wednesday 2nd September. From personal family archives Paul has woven a fascinating and intimate biography of an iconic woman and the artistic dynasty from which she came. Du Maurier defied the conventions of her day to becomes one of Britain’s most revered writers. It will be a fascinating evening.
Hot on the heels of that event is an evening with BBC journalist, Security Correspondent, thriller writer and Marlborough College alumnus FRANK GARDNER. He will be in conversation with BBC journalist William Wintercross about his new thriller, Ballistic, on Saturday 5th September. MI6 operative Luke Carlton returns in his most exciting, edge of the seat spy thriller yet. A state of the art Russian submarine is slipping through the Arctic seas and Europe goes into a state of high alert. Is this Armageddon?
And then a change of tone for an entertaining evening on Thursday 10th September with comedian, writer and ex-Bake Off presenter MEL GIEDROYC talking about her funny, big-hearted story of second chances, The Comeback. Mel was a Sunday Times bestseller with her first book and The Comeback is destined to be just as successful. Life didn’t quite pan out for actress Gill Piper and she finds herself back in her home town, a town that could do with a little pizzazz and she might be just the person…
Mid-September brings us an evening of love for Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. Bestselling writer CATHY RENTZENBRINK has always loved Agatha Christie, turning to her again and again when looking for a little comfort and escape from life’s upheavals. One Christmas Cathy decides to reread all of Christie’s books from the first to the last. With the Queen of Crime by her side, Cathy soon begins finding answers to questions about herself and about Christie that she hadn’t even realised she was asking. The Agatha Christie Cure is a literary detective story and a memoir of finding hope in reading. Monday 14th September will be an unmissable evening for book lovers and Cathy will be in conversation with Christie and Poirot podcaster, Adam Roche.
And from Britain’s Queen of Crime to Australia’s! International bestseller LIANE MORIARTY is coming to Hungerford’s sister bookshop in Wantage for an evening of lies, deception and lots of fun! Liane’s book Big Little Lies was made into a massive Netflix series and her new book takes us back to those characters, ten years on from the shocking events of Big Little Lies. This time it’s the truth that might be the undoing of them all. Liane Moriarty is in the UK for a select few events for the launch of Big Little Truths. You can see her in Wantage on Friday 25th September.
And we end September with another bookshop favourite and local author, CLARE BALDING. It’s an event with a difference, yes Clare will be talking about her new book, Pastures New, but she will also be leading a dog walk for a few lucky ticket holders before the talk. So come and walk your dog,* eat some delicious lunch and listen to national treasure Clare Balding talking about her writing all in the glorious surroundings of The Tractor Shed at Highclere Stud on the morning of Tuesday 29th September.
* Dogs are not a must, unaccompanied humans are also welcome! Tickets for this event only are from The Tractor Shed at www.highclerevalley.co.uk
Details and tickets for all events can be found on the Events page at Hungerford Bookshop or enquire by calling them on 01488 683480.
And a heads-up that October & November is just as much fun – tickets are already selling for Max Hastings, John Boyne, Lee Child (tickets from The Beacon, Wantage), Jodi Picoult (tickets from Arlington Arts Centre, Donnington) and Tim Spicer. And who knows who else we might fit in before Christmas! Sign up for our newsletter and find out first about all our events. What are you waiting for?