Daunt Books Festival 2016

Daunt Books held their first Spring Festival in 2014. Following two successful years, the independent bookshop’s two-day bonanza returns this March, much to the delight of London’s literati. With events spread across the 10^th and 11^th of the month, talks range from the wonders of the short story to a new take on that conversational perennial, the British weather.

Thursday’s highlights include a talk from literary sensation Max Porter. Having edited Eleanor Catton’s Booker-winning novel The Luminaries, Porter followed up with his debut novel Grief is the Thing With Feathers last year. A genre-defying exploration of mourning, entwined with the life and poetry Ted Hughes, it’s an assured critical favourite.

Later in the day, join BBC arts editor Will Gompertz as he discusses his recent book Think like an Artist. Embark on a journey through the galleries of history, explore the common traits that creatives share, and learn how Vermeer and Caravaggio can help us in everyday life.

Rounding off the day is venerable novelist Howard Jacobson. His recent book Shylock Is My Name sees one of the most memorable characters in the English canon return as the unlikely houseguest of a Cheshire art collector. A master of serious-minded comedy, Jacobson is one of the greats of his generation.

Friday boasts a similarly strong programme. We’re particularly excited about ‘Under English Skies:’ the most interesting discussion of weather you’re likely to hear this year. Alexandra Harris is the author of Weatherland, an exploration of the ways in which British culture has been formed by its weather. She’s joined by Christine L. Corton whose book London Fog is a meteorological enquiry like few others.

For the final talk of the festival, Elif Shafak author of The Architect’s Apprentice talks about Istanbul, a city at the heart of her work. Discussing the factual and fictive representations of this most extraordinary place, poised between East and West, she is joined by historian Jason Goodwin and journalist Barnaby Rogerson.

The talks will take place at Daunt's Marylebone shop, and tickets can be bought for individual events or for the whole festival. Click here to view the full programme.