An incomplete list of the literary events I'm bookmarking this summer

Featuring wild swimming at bookish festivals, and a Slightly Foxed soirée in Cambridge...

Gosh, isn’t the UK just utterly glorious in the sunshine? Since landing here from Florence two weeks ago, the weather Gods have really turned it on: breezy mornings, balmy afternoons, and those long, golden evenings that we just don’t get in Australia—where it’s pitch black by 8pm, even in the height of summer. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, so I’ve been soaking up every sun-drenched moment—long rambles through wildflower-strewn fields in Somerset, bottles of prosecco in beer gardens, that delicious sense that life is humming along quite nicely.

While I’m here, I also plan to make the most of something the UK does particularly well: glittering literary events. Sydney’s always been a little thin on the ground in that department, so being on this side of the Atlantic feels like the perfect excuse to indulge in a few bookish soirées. Read on for my pick of some of the best ones on offer this summer, and do drop me a note if you’ll be at any of them!

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Joanne Harris in conversation with Joanna Cannon,Waterstones Piccadilly, May 21st

As a huge fan of Joanne’s Chocolat trilogy, it would be pretty accurate to say that I’m gagging for her latest instalment, Vianne. Said to be a stunning prequel to the bestselling modern classic, it follows Vianne Rocher as she arrives in Marseilles—six years before the original novel begins—only to uncover a growing conspiracy that threatens everything she’s built. Joanne will be joined in conversation by the wonderful Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. Tickets available here.

Epilogue Series: An Evening with Sarah Harman, Spitalfields, May 22nd

I devoured All The Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman earlier this year, so I’m thrilled to be heading to this Epilogue Series event in Spitalfields. It’s a brilliant concept—a modern twist on the classic literary salon, celebrating storytelling through live readings and conversation. They also run a Classics Book Club (currently reading Zola’s The Beast Within) which sounds like great fun. More info and tickets here.

Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, May 22nd-June 1st

It’s a great source of shame of mine that I’ve never been to Hay. Alas, when I lived in London I was far too busy getting drunk and chasing unsuitable men around the gutters of Northcote Road to pay any heed to the fact that one of the world’s best literary festivals was just a short train ride away. Since moving to Australia, the dates have never worked, but this year, they’ve lined up perfectly. While I’ve inevitably left it too late to find anywhere to stay, I’m planning on hopping on a train to Hereford for the day, and seeing where the wind takes me, even if that inevitably is the last train back to Paddington. Tickets and info over here, and if you have a house in Hay with a bed going spare, do make yourself known in my DMs.

Well Read at Wasing, near Reading, May 25–26th

I visited Wasing Estate with my mum yesterday, and wow—she’s a beauty. Think vivid purple rhododendrons, a glittering lake fringed with fragrant trees, a water-front sauna that wouldn’t feel out of place in Finland, and fields that roll on as far as the eye can see. Well Read is their inaugural literary festival, aptly named and hosted in partnership with the excellent Hungerford Books. The line-up is stellar: Lucy Jones, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clare Balding, and Freya Bromley (whose The Tidal Year I’ve been meaning to read for yonks). Add in organic wine, wild swimming, and book shopping galore—what’s not to love? Head to their website for tickets.

Slightly Foxed Summer Party, Cambridge, May 29th

Slightly Foxed are old faithfuls of mine. While I’ll definitely be popping into their gorgeous London HQ, I’m also making a beeline to Cambridge for their summer soirée at St Botolph’s Church. They’ll be launching Issue No. 86: Good Books and Artichoke Bottoms, plus a beautiful new cloth-bound edition of Nigel Slater’s Toast. Email isabel@foxedquarterly.com if you fancy joining.

Guadalupe Nettel in conversation with Jessica Andrews, Daunt Books, June 3

I j’adored Still Born, so I’m thrilled that Guadalupe Nettel is back with a new short story collection, The Accidentals. She’ll be chatting about it with author

Jessica Andrews

at one of London’s prettiest bookshops, glorious Daunt Books in Marylebone. Tickets are here.

Rest & Read with Ease, Wales, June 6–8th

It would be rather remiss of me not to include my very first reading retreat, hosted with the glorious

Tanya Lynch

from Ease Retreats in Wales. It’s a dreamy weekend devoted to books, with a theme of stories shaped by the sea. Ocean dips and waterfront pub drinks are optional—but it would be rather rude not too, wouldn’t it? We’ve got one spot left if you fancy it. More info here.

Women’s Prize Live, Bedford Square Gardens, June 11th

A lovely full-circle moment for me: I’ll be appearing at this year’s Women’s Prize Live, a whole decade after I worked for them (pre-ill-fated-fling—we all know how that one ended). It’s London’s finest literary day fest, featuring Emma Gannon, Tayari Jones, Priscilla Morris, and the wonderful Kate Mosse. You can even book a bibliotherapy session with me! Tickets here.

BookBar Presents, Chelsea, various dates

BookBar has just opened a swish new venue on one of London’s swankiest streets, and their events line-up is very good indeed. I’ve got my eye on evenings with Elif Shafak, and Katie Kitamura in conversation with Caleb Azumah Nelson. More details here.

The Idler Festival, Hampstead Heath, July 11–13th

A weekend of philosophy, music, talks, and merriment set in the dreamy Fenton House gardens by Hampstead Heath. Expect Renaissance dancing, ukuleles, beekeeping, and big names like Emma Thompson and Sally Phillips. You can also join

Emily’s Walking Book Club

to chat about Persuasion on the Heath. Plus: plenty of time for loafing around under apple trees. Dreamy. Tickets are over here.

The Chelsea Arts Festival, Sloane Street, September 19–21

A late-summer lit fest with sundowners and three days of storytelling in the heart of the King’s Road? Yes, please.

Elizabeth Day

will launch her new novel One of Us there, and there’s a Women’s Prize 30th anniversary event with Kate Mosse and June Sarpong. Line-up and tickets here.