We're pleased to be supporting Books by the Beach 2024
Posted by Tracey Baty on
Scarborough’s Books by the Beach festival programme (Friday 7 - Sunday 9 June) is a heady mix of nautical adventure, powerful politics, and fascinating history. There’s sparkling performance poetry from Scottish National Poet JACKIE KAY, revelatory memoirs from prize-winning journalist POLLY TOYNBEE and comedian HELEN LEDERER, plus high hopes for sea conservation from marine biologist DR HELEN SCALES.
Headliners include ‘Prince of Fashion’ PATRICK GRANT, BBC’s Security Correspondent FRANK GARDNER OBE and bestselling novelist DAVID NICHOLLS - author of recent Netflix huge hit One Day. Patrick Grant is best known as a judge on the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee and will talk about sustainability in clothing and his life in fashion. Frank Gardner introduces his new international thriller Invasion, and David Nicholls shares his new novel You Are Here - a moving story of first encounters, second chances and finding the way home.
This year’s festival is launched at 10.30am on Friday 7 June by bestselling historical novelist STACEY HALLS. Stacey introduces her new novel The Household. Set against Charles Dickens’ home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history it’s her most ambitious and captivating novel yet.
Egyptologist PROF JOANN FLETCHER discusses Wine in Ancient Egypt: from the temples of the gods to the table of Cleopatra. There’s the lighter side of crime with novelist GLENDA YOUNG who will chat with audience members about her book Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel. Glenda’s crime novels are set in Scarborough and there will a slice of cake and a cocktail included in her ticket price. This event takes place at The Crescent Hotel.
PETER TAYLOR OBE will be returning to his home town to discuss his new book Operation Chiffon: The Secret Story of MI5 and MI6 and the Road to Peace in Ireland. Discover how those involved risked their careers - and their lives to help secure the fragile peace that exists today. Sunday Times bestselling historical novelist RORY CLEMENTS introduces his stand-alone WW2 novel MUNICH WOLF and former Home Secretary ALAN JOHNSON discusses his new thriller Death on the Thames. Alan is a festival friend and great raconteur - so he’ll have plenty of tales to share with the audience!
Two dazzling debut writers are appearing too. SOPHIE ELMHIRST brings the true-life jaw-dropping tale of unlikely couple Maurice and Maralyn Bailey who were cast adrift in the Pacific Ocean when their yacht was sunk by a whale…
And highly reviewed JENNIE GODFREY whose novel set in 1979 follows 12 year old Miv who decides to make Yorkshire ‘safe again’ by finding the man dubbed The Yorkshire Ripper - the page turner everyone is talking about!
For more details on this year’s full line-up go online at www.booksbythebeach.co.uk
Ticket information for purchasing online and also in-person at Scarborough YMCA Theatre is available on the website. Most events take place at Queen St Church Scarborough.
In the annual tradition, we will partner with Books by the Beach in the festival beer naming competition. Full competition details will be online soon, so do keep checking it out and try your luck!
Beer and books - what’s not to like?!