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BOOKS W
e said there is no need to go whizzing off to faraway climes, but whether you are looking for a new page-turner for your time on the beach, or just want to curl up on the sofa at home with a new read for some quiet time, Waterstones in Milton Keynes has recommendations aplenty. The bookstore also has some special events coming up, starting with leading real-life Criminologist David Wilson, who visits the store on Thursday, July 14 from 6pm. Wilson is Professor Emeritus of Criminology and the founding director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University. His incredible career has brought him into contact with nearly every recent serial killer in the country, and he will be sharing those experiences. He will also concentrate on the case at the heart of his brand new book, A Plot To Kill which explores the shocking story of two victims who had been groomed, seduced and mentally tortured by a man in the community who used his position to target and exploit the elderly.
Tess Gerritsen visits Waterstones on July 23
Start a new chapter this summer Very little shocks David, but this case in the sleepy village of Maids Moreton, astounded him. The book will be available to purchase at what is certain to be a fascinating event. Something completely different follows a week later (July 21, from 6pm) with a Manga Extravaganza! Whether you are new to the genre or a longterm fan, there will be plenty for you. Visit the store and browse the many series they have to offer. Check out the games, figurines and products based on popular characters and then give your brain a manga workout with a themed quiz. Wear your best cosplay outfit if you want to – someone is going to win a prize on the day. And on Saturday, July 23, best-selling author Tess Gerritsen will be visiting to sign copies of her new Rizzoli & Isles thriller, Listen To Me.
Tess is also a physician and she brings firsthand knowledge of emergency and autopsy rooms to her work. This is the 13th book in the addictive series and her appearance is a chance for fans to get her squiggle on their copy of the book. On August 4, Bethany Clift will be in conversation talking about her second book, Love & Other Human Errors, an original novel about the chaos of love in all its forms. So something that we can all identify with! “We spend a huge amount of our lives looking for love, if we are lucky enough to find love it sets our world on fire and when we lose love it can literally break our hearts. Everything that I have ever written is about love and everything that I will ever write will have love in it. I wouldn’t want to live without it. Love really does make my world go round,” she told Pulse.
at its core – making use of their brilliant imaginations, of course! This year’s event – on Saturday, July 2 - includes sessions with authors Lauren Child (Clarence Bean: Scram) and Chris Smith (Frankie Best Hates Quests), a ‘Book Club for Super-Spies.’ Local authors will get a look in too – with half a dozen ready to spark creativity in youngsters. The Pollinator Parade looks like it will ‘bee’ brilliant; it’s a celebration of our buzzy pals, with fun facts, a giant bee-hive, and the aforementioned parade followed by educational craft workshops. Kids can even make their own pom-pom bees, while learning about the importance of the insects.
Or, how about spending some time with Professor Frost and his fantastical fleas. This is the biggest little show you’ll ever see, and if you miss the mini menagerie in play you’ll be hopping mad! Elsewhere, cast members from the enchanting new musical Hexwood School of Sorcery will perform songs, and you can meet the cast post-performance. Other things to get stuck into include live art and sand art, a nature quest and a free Gangsta Granny workshop, and Festive Road will bring their larger than life dragon Gwynhaff to the show.
> To purchase tickets for events, or for more details visit waterstones.com/events
B
edford Bookfest is a children’s festival with a stellar line-up all ‘booked’ for July 9 & 10. Some of the biggest names in young fiction will be visiting the town to read excerpts from their page-turners. Book lovers of all ages will be able to enjoy Q&A sessions, creative writing workshops and sing-a-long sessions (yes, really!) with authors and illustrators. On Saturday, Jamie Littler (author of the bestselling series Frostheart), Sophie Deen (responsible for the Agent Asha series) and author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson will be in attendance. Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet – the duo responsible for the picture book series Supertato – visit on Sunday to give a peek into their new series – I Spy Island. Punk Rocker Doodle creator Laura Dockrill will pop in, and a Poetry Clinic will close the event. > The event is being hosted at The Place Theatre. Secure tickets by visiting booktastic.org.uk In Aylesbury, the family-friendly literary and arts festival WhizzFizzFest will take over the town centre. Originally inspired by Roald Dahl, the event has evolved and turned into a celebration of creative arts with children’s literature
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For the full programme and to see what’s happening where, head to whizzfizzfest.org.uk
Hello Summer! Your guide to what’s going on locally this summer | Created by Pulse Magazine www.pulsemagazine.co.uk
