BOOKS
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BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL Annual Melrose literary extravaganza returns with a packed roster
The Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival always punches above its weight with an impressive lineup of authors, writers and speakers descending on Melrose every year. 2017’s fest is no exception with a diverse programme that will appeal to kids, adults, serious readers and book geeks. Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese is the big draw, in conversation with Rory Bremner (Sat 17 Jun). Anne Reid (you’ll know her from Last Tango in Halifax and Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies) presents an evening of stories and song (Thu 15 Jun). And Judy Murray, tennis coach and mother of national hero and world number one Andy, will discuss her autobiography Knowing the Score (Fri 16 Jun). With a general election just a week before the festival, there’s plenty of politics to get your teeth into. Jim Naughtie examines Trump’s rise to power (Thu 15 Jun), Misha Glenny discusses cyber security (Fri 16 Jun), Alan Little looks at the future of democracy (Fri 16 Jun), Tim Shipman’s new book covers the lead up to and impact of Brexit (Sun 18 Jun) and former Minister for Women, Joan Ruddock, talks about her memoir Going Nowhere (Sat 17 Jun).
There’s plenty of crime royalty in tow too, with Mark Billingham and Chris Brookmyre (pictured) in their ‘unflinchingly sweary two-man show’ (Fri 16 Jun), and Val McDermid (Sat 17 Jun) and Ann Cleeves (Sun 18 Jun) putting in an appearance. And the two day Family Book Festival features Curtis Jobling (author of the Max Helsing series, Sat 17 Jun), Philip Ardagh (Sun 18 Jun) and Captain Firebeard’s School for Pirates author Chae Strathie (Sun 18 Jun). (Henry Northmore) ■ Borders Book Festival, Melrose, Thu 15–Sun 18 Jun.
1 Jun–31 Aug 2017 THE LIST 67