Book Festival Hitlist

The best of the Book festival

This article is from 2009.

Janice Galloway
One of the nation’s most beloved writers recalls her childhood once more as she muses over the tricksily-titled memoir, This is Not About Me. 20 Aug, 11.30am, £9 (£7).

Emmanuel Jal
There are few people who could even imagine the terrors of being a child made to fight in a war-torn homeland. This guy has lived it and come through the other side. See page ??. 15 Aug, 8.30pm, £9 (£7).

Jen Hadfield
In a year of poetry shocks, this Shetland-based writer made a few waves of her own by scooping the massively prestigious TS Eliot prize. 17 Aug, 4.30pm, £6 (£4).

Dave Gorman
The globetrotting comic reflects upon the time he crossed America by trying to avoid the chainstores and brand names. It sure wasn’t easy, boy. See page ??. 16 Aug, 8pm, £9 (£7).

Mio Matsumoto
The threat of cancer loomed large over this young Japanese artist, but she turned her pain into a graphic novel of much renown. See page ??. 15 Aug, 2.30pm, £9 (£7); 15 Aug, 5pm, £4.

David Aaronovitch
Feel a little queasy when you hear a far-fetched conspiracy theory? You’ll be in safe hands here as the writer and broadcaster tut tuts before those who seek explanations beyond all reason for some of the world’s most epochal events.
20 Aug, noon, £9 (£7).

Denise Mina
The increasingly diverse writer talks crime today alongside genre pal Alex Gray. See page ??. 18 Aug, 6.45pm, £9 (£7).

All events are based in Charlotte Square Gardens. Box office: 0845 373 5888.