We have an amazing programme of authors, specialist writers and talks for this year’s festival and we hope you can join us. With a growing reputation for lively discussion and new ideas, Barnes BookFest 2024 takes place in Barnes, London SW13 from Friday 20 September – Sunday 22 September 2024.
Booking now open for all events.
Register below for updates and latest news.
- Fri, 20 Sept 2024
- 4pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
Bestselling author Robert Harris talks with historian Simon Heffer about the research and true story underlying his latest novel 'Precipice'.
- Fri, 20 Sept 2024
- 4.30pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
BBC London weather forecaster Elizabeth Rizzini joins pupils from local schools to talk about … the weather.
- Fri, 20 Sept 2024
- 6pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
Author and BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner talks about 'Invasion', his fourth book featuring SIS operative Luke Carlton in a story of dark espionage and geopolitical tension.
- Fri, 20 Sept 2024
- 8pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
'One of the top guitarists of all time' (Rolling Stone), Thurston Moore discusses post-punk bohemia and life as the frontman of Sonic Youth – which defined alt rock in the 1980s/1990s.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 12n
- Barnes Methodist Church
Debut novelist Emily Howes discusses the family life of eighteenth-century artist Thomas Gainsborough with the acclaimed art biographer James Hamilton.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 12n
- Barnes Methodist Church
The last British Ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Laurie Bristow describes the causes, meaning and human cost of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 2pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
A trio of remarkable women discuss their work in music, sport and literature.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 2pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
Tomiwa Owolade argues that the debate about race and racial injustice is dominated by American viewpoints. Instead, we need a new conversation about race in British life today.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 4pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
Professor Nigel Biggar’s bestselling analysis of the British Empire provoked extensive debate. In his defence of the empire, he faces challenging questions about colonialism.
- Sat 21 Sept 2024
- 4pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
Gill Johnson discusses her memoir, which recaptures the lavish opulence of Venice during the 1950s and her time there as a young woman, in conversation with journalist Rory Ross.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 6pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
Miriam Margolyes discusses her memoir 'Oh Miriam!' with fellow actress Patricia Hodge and shares all sorts of stories – both published and unpublished.
- Sat, 21 Sept 2024
- 8pm
- Barnes Methodist Church
Art critic Laura Cumming discusses her book 'Thunderclap', a memoir about a life in art, a father and daughter and the great artists of the Dutch Golden Age.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 10am
- Olympic Studios
Hayley Mills discusses Hollywood and childhood stardom in conversation with theatre critic Michael Billington.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 10am
- Barnes Green Centre
Life hopefully doesn’t mimic art as local author Bernard O’Keeffe talks about his latest DI Garibaldi novel, in which a crime writer is found dead in Barnes Pond hours after giving a talk at the Barnes Book Festival.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 12n
- St Mary’s Barnes
Madhumita Murgia discusses the impact of powerful and often exploitative technologies on everyday life with Bloomberg technology columnist, Parmy Olson.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 12n
- Barnes Green Centre
Podcaster, broadcaster, writer and performer Gyles Brandreth meets his friend, the actor and poet Leigh Lawson, to celebrate the power of poetry and the importance of positivity.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 2pm
- St Mary's Barnes
Author of the first authoritative – although not authorised – biography of Sir Keir Starmer, in conversation with Evening Standard journalist Philip Collins.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 2pm
- Barnes Green Centre
Annie Garthwaite discusses Cecily Neville - mother of Edward IV and Richard III - the Wars of the Roses and the four women who shaped the progress and outcome of these most savage wars.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 4pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
Lord Patten’s account of his time as the last Governor of Hong Kong gives unprecedented insights into negotiating with the Chinese, he discusses what has happened since the 1997 handover.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 4pm
- Barnes Green Centre
Political historian Sir Vernon Bogdanor considers six post-war politicians who each had an extraordinary impact on our country, despite never becoming prime minister.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 6pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
The highly acclaimed biographer Sue Prideaux discusses her latest book – a vital re-examination of the trail blazing and controversial artist, Paul Gauguin.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 6pm
- Barnes Green Centre
Internationally bestselling novelist Abi Daré talks about her latest novel 'And So I Roar' which continues the story of Adunni, a young runaway in Nigeria who seeks a better future.
- Sun, 22 Sept 2024
- 8pm
- St Mary’s Barnes
Possibly England’s greatest batsman, the former captain of the England cricket team talks with sports presenter Eleanor Olyroyd about all things cricket and beyond.
The festival programme and schedule are also available to download here as a PDF.
A printed booklet containing the same information is available at the Barnes Bookshop, 98 Church Road.
2024 Festival Schedule
The festival programme and schedule are also available to download here as a PDF.
A printed booklet containing the same information is available at the Barnes Bookshop, 98 Church Road.
