The annual LitFest event organised by Chorleywood Bookshop is recognised to be one of the top festivals of its kind in the country, with inspirational speakers bringing book related entertainment to the village over two weeks of November.
By her own admission, Bookshop founder Sheryl Shurville is relentless in tracking down writers she admires and persuading them to come to Chorleywood. And it usually works!
Amongst the highlights this year are 92 yr old children’s author Judith Kerr (Mog, Tiger came to Tea) plus Wendy Holden with Eva Clarke – two miracle babies of the holocaust born in the German prison Camps in World War Two.
As usual there are a few celebs in the programme – Melvyn Bragg talks about his latest novel that depicts the events of the Peasants’ Revolt, Jonathan Dimbleby presents the story of The Battle of The Atlantic told through diaries and letters, John Suchet looks at the lives of the Strauss waltz kings while Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz straight faced funny man Nick Frost talks about his life and career as told in his book Truths, Half Truths and Little White lies.
There’s so much for history buffs this year. Giles Milton dips into his collection of 100 quirky snippets revealing secrets of Hitler and Charlie Chaplin while documentary presenter historian Dan Cruickshank gives an insight into features of the 100 buildings highlighted in his latest publication A history of Architecture and Natalie Livingstone takes us behind closed doors of Cliveden introducing extraordinary women who have been mistresses of the great house near Maidenhead.
A few visiting authors present legends of literature or politics – Claire Harman on Charlotte Bronte and Charles Moore on Margaret Thatcher while Jonathan Beckham tells the story of Marie Antoinette and a missing diamond necklace worth 1.6 million francs! Politician Vince Cable expresses his views on the economy and the Coalition. Then there are highly rated writers Andrew Miller and Sophie Hannah – acknowledged master of the psychological thriller. Audiences get to eat chocolates, canapés, sip wine and meet debut novelists and bestselling authors and even can take along an antique for valuation by Judith Miller of Antique Roadshow fame. As ever, something for everyone. Book early, tickets sell fast.
Main pic © Henri Phillips/Chorelywood Magazine
All tickets from Chorleywood Bookshop, 4 New Parade, Chorleywood, WD3 5NJ
http://chilternbookshops.co.uk/home/chorleywood-bookshop
01923 283566