Buckle up, bookworms! The 2024 Ilkley Literature Festival is back, bigger and better than ever, with a lineup that’ll have you scraping your jaw off the floor. From 4 to 20 October, the charming spa town of Ilkley will transform into a literary wonderland, hosting an array of poets, novelists, chefs, historians, politicians, children’s authors, biographers, journalists, and yes, even the odd national treasure. Hold onto your reading glasses, because this year’s festival is set to be an unforgettable page-turner.
Kicking things off is the legendary Kate Atkinson, who will launch her new Jackson Brodie book, Death at the Sign of the Rook, in an exclusive event with Grove Bookshop on 18 September. But that’s just the preface. The festival will feature over 90 events across 17 days, with venues like King’s Hall buzzing with literary excitement.
Get ready for headline acts that are as varied as your bookshelf. Julian Clary, Susie Dent, and Shirley Ballas are set to dazzle with their debut murder mystery novels—because why not shake things up a bit? American novelist Jodi Picoult will be presenting her latest work, By Any Other Name, while Booker-prize winner Alan Hollinghurst celebrates his first book in over a decade, Our Evenings. If you’re a fan of culinary delights, Prue Leith’s cookbook, Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom, is a must-see, alongside Gyles Brandreth’s exploration of happiness in Happiness in Just a Minute.
Erica Morris, the festival director, sums up the excitement: “We’re excited to welcome big names and big ideas as we once more bring an epic celebration of books, reading and writing to Ilkley. From exploring the secrets of happiness to who owns the moon, to our turbulent state of politics here and across the pond, there’s plenty to entertain, engage and inspire.”
The festival isn’t just about star-studded appearances. It’s also exploring some intriguing themes. In Verse pays homage to the festival’s 50-year legacy of promoting poetry, featuring luminaries like Peter Sansom and Raymond Antrobus. Democracies in Danger tackles the pressing issues of our time, with journalists and politicians dissecting the state of global politics.
Crime fiction fans, rejoice! Murder, They Wrote delves into the nation’s bestselling genre, with appearances by Janice Hallett and Saima Mir, among others. And let’s not forget the delicious theme A Matter of Taste, where you can indulge in food and wine tastings with figures like Prue Leith and fromager-extraordinaire Ned Palmer.
For those with a green thumb or a penchant for tech debates, the themes Explore Moor: Nurturing Nature and Ethics and Technology offer a deep dive into climate issues and the impact of AI on creativity. Shakespeare enthusiasts will find a fresh perspective in Shaking Up Shakespeare, featuring Dame Harriet Walter and her event, She Speaks! What Shakespeare’s Women Might Have Said.
With so much to offer, this festival is a veritable buffet of intellectual and cultural delights. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an extraordinary celebration of literature. Head over to https://www.ilkleylitfest.org.uk to view the full programme and book your tickets now. See you there, book lovers!
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