Out & About October 2017

OA feature

“Also, biographies of people that have led really interesting lives. Joan: The Remarkable life of Joan Leigh Fermor that Simon Fenwick will be talking about during this festival, isn’t published yet, but I know I shall be selling piles of this, especially in the run-up to Christmas. The cover is gorgeous too…” It wasn’t so long ago that the doom-mongers were predicting the death of paper books in favour of e-books, but the situation seems to be reversing. Although Emma accepts that e-books might Readers come in to the bookshop and remark on how beautiful the books are, how browsable have their place, she champions the former. “Yes, sales of e-books are falling and sales of ‘physical’ books are growing. Interestingly, it is the younger generation in particular that enjoy physical books. Also, people seem to have become bored with their e-readers… the novelty is wearing off. “Readers come in to the bookshop and remark on how beautiful the books are, how browsable. And, of course, you can pass them round to your friends once you

“Gosh… Intrepid women explorers I find very interesting, like Lesley Blanch or Gertrude Bell – so either of those. “I’d like to find out what happened to Amelia Earhart, so it would be good to ask her. I find David Sedaris really funny – I have been enjoying him on BBC Radio 4 recently – he would certainly make me laugh a lot. “William Boyd is one of my favourite novelists that I have never managed to get, but I’ll keep trying.” Mention of English writer Gertrude Bell (1868-1926), archaeologist, academic, Middle East explorer and possible spy, reminds us of the enduring appeal of travel books. They take you to places you may never get to see; they can broaden your horizons just by sitting in an armchair. They can inspire you to travel. Holiday reading or guidebooks become visible memories, keepsakes, on your bookcase. Reading travel literature written in the past can also make you reflect on how our world has changed. The bookshop is well-placed to get the feel for what appeals to Hungerford – which books go down well – and that is likely to shape future festivals. “History titles really work well for us. I suspect our next themed literary weekend might revolve around this somehow.

have finished with them. “ I can see that e-readers are handy if you travel frequently, but I would rather read my paperback by the pool and not worry about the battery running out or getting it wet. “I quite like opening a book years later and finding sand or blades of grass inside, a memory from a past trip.” We muse over what makes a good book. “For me a good book is a book that makes me reflect about my opinions, and gives fresh insight into our world. A good book can help me understand the world through eyes of others. Language to me is important – that’s why I like poetry – as much as the plot. “Often though, it depends what mood you are in. I always return to Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield when I need cheering up. “A good book can transport you utterly. It can connect you with the world, and let you escape from the world. I have re-read favourite books over the years and the meaning can change depending on where you are in your life. “In that way books come on a journey with you too.” For full programme details and booking, visit

www.artsforhungerford.com or www.hungerfordbookshop.co.uk



Bestselling Author ROBERT HARRIS will be talking about his latest book Munich Tuesday 10th October at 7.30pm Hungerford Town Hall

I]Z KmcZ 8]W\ ]c` PcWZRS`a ![ OP]dS U`]c\R ZSdSZ Oa bVSg `SaQcS O BcR]` `]]T K\Yb mci j]g]h XcbUhY jc`ibhYYf cf ^c]b h\Y BUh]cbU` Hfigh mcif giddcfh \Y`dg ig hc `cc_ UZhYf gdYW]U` d`UWYg ]b @cbXcb UbX h\Y Gcih\ 9Ugh giW\ Ug H\Y JmbY GUbX\Ua AYacf]U` 7\UdY` UbX H\Y 7\UgY Zcf YjYf Zcf YjYfmcbY" cVh^ʩcVahfigh#ʩf\#i`$h]Z"jmcZ

Plus, don’t miss... Katherine Webb & Vanessa LaFaye talking about their novels The Hiding Places and At First Light “Robert Harris is the master of the intelligent thriller’’ - The Times Tickets £6

in Hungerford Library on Tuesday 3rd October at 7.30pm. Tickets £5

Tickets for all events available from Hungerford Bookshop (01488 683480) or ArtsForHungerford.com

BUh]cbU`Hfigh&$%+"H\YBUh]cbU`Hfigh]gUb]bXYdYbXYbhfY[]ghYfYXW\Uf]hm biaVYf&$),(*" D\chc[fUd\mBUh]cbU`Hfigh=aU[YgP?UfYb@Y[["

cVh^ʩcVahfigh

19