FESTIVAL BOOKS | Hitlist BOOKS HITLIST
Kate Tempest
Yasmin Sulaiman picks some of the best books and spoken word events across the festivals
LOUD POETS Spoken word artists and poets from Scotland and further afield gather in the Storytelling Centre every night of the Fringe. The lineup’s different each time, and there’s live music too. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 556 9579, until 31 Aug, 9pm, £10 (£8).
LUKE WRIGHT: STAY AT HOME
DANDY The performance poet’s back with a new show on how to balance suburban life as a father of two with looking fabulous. Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, until 30 Aug (not 18), 6.20pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).
MARK THOMAS The comedian and activist kicks off the 2015 Edinburgh Book Fringe with a chat about his book 100 Minor Acts of Dissent (which was also a Fringe show in 2013). See preview, page 33. Word Power Books, 662 9112, 14 Aug, 7.30pm, free.
publish often, but it’s always worth the wait: her latest novel Lila is a triumph. A highly anticipated event marking the first morning of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 15 Aug, 11.45am, £10 (£8).
ALI SMITH The author of Hotel World, The Accidental and, most recently, the excellent How to Be Both is appearing in two Book Festival events this year. The second dubs her ‘one of Scotland’s finest writers’. We concur. See preview, page 33. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 15 Aug, 2.15pm, £10 (£8); 16 Aug, 11.45am, £10 (£8).
events at this year’s Book Festival. See preview, page 29. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 16 Aug, 2.15pm, £7 (£5); 18 Aug, 7.30pm, £10 (£8).
KIRSTIN INNES TIM CLARE
The Glasgow-based writer talks about her excellent debut, Fishnet: a novel about sex workers that was inspired by research she undertook for an article she wrote in this very magazine. See feature, page 32. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 15 Aug, 8.45pm, £7 (£5). The performance poet became a novelist this year, with the release of his first book The Honours. Here he appears with Mull Historical Society’s Colin MacIntyre to talk about their respective debuts. See feature, page 31. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 16 Aug, 8.45pm, £7 (£5).
MARILYNNE ROBINSON Pulitzer Prize-winner Robinson doesn’t
The author of The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive appears at two Since being shortlisted for a Mercury Prize last year, poet / rapper Kate
MATT HAIG KATE TEMPEST
Tempest’s profile has skyrocketed. This month, she visits the Book Festival to talk to Don Paterson and to perform in two separate events. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 18 Aug, 8.15pm, £10 (£8); 19 Aug, 8.15pm, £10 (£8).
UNBOUND: HEAD NORTH, MY FRIEND!
The Book Festival’s free nightly salon starts up on Sunday; there’s something to enjoy every night but this is our pick for this week, in which Ryan van Winkle hosts writers from Shetland, Finland and Iceland. See preview, page 33. Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 19 Aug, 9pm, free. Unbound starts on 16 Aug.
800 authors from 55 countries in 750 events. Join the adventure in Charlo"e Square Gardens! Book tickets: 0845 373 5888/ www.edbookfest.co.uk
Tickets still available for: Chris Brookmyre, A L Kennedy, S J Watson, Ben Okri, Julian Clary, Kate Mosse, Edwyn Collins, Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart David, A C Grayling, Helen Lederer, Steve Bell, Kate Tempest, George the Poet, Pat Barker, Tracey horn, Michel Faber and many more.
30 THE LIST FESTIVAL 13–20 Aug 2015