Hi guys 👋🏻
Last weekend I attended the inaugural Ipswich Book Festival, Chapter One…here’s how it went…
1st Stop – 12pm Talk Author ‘Tim Sullivan’
‘ The Bookseller’
This was a brilliant and funny talk from Tim Sullivan, the author of the George Cross Mystery novels. It was so interesting to hear about the writing process, where he gets his ideas from and to hear his passion for the brilliant character of George Cross. George is great, and I’m glad I managed to pick up the latest in the series (signed 😃) as well as a few that I haven’t read yet.
The Cross novels are so enjoyable to read, and the subject of Neurodivergance is well researched and beautifully represented in these exciting and gripping novels.
Tim was very funny and witty, and the team interviewing were great, so it made for a really enjoyable talk.
2nd Stop – Lunch & a spot of reading 📚
Stop 3 – Time for a bit of book browsing/shopping
I had to pop into one of my favourite shops in Ipswich, and our only independent book shop,’Dial Lane Books’, on Dial Lane.
I also popped into Waterstones to use a book voucher that I conveniently found that morning. I love their buy one get one half price deal!
Stop 4 – 4pm Talk Author Wendy Holden
‘The Teacher of Auschwitz’
This talk was beautifully moving, and it was so inspiring to hear their brave stories.
In the current world, it was wonderful to hear some courageous and self less stories about humans helping each other and putting others before themselves, even in the most unthinkable situations and conditions. These are stories that now more than ever need to be heard.
Stop 5 – 4.45pm Talk John Wark and Mark Prentice
‘He’s here, he’s there’
As a lifelong Ipswich town fan, I thoroughly enjoyed John Warks talk to round off a brilliant day.
Every Ipswich town fan knows who the legend John Wark is, but I have to admit I had no idea just how much of a mark he has made on the world of football, the stats and accolades are insane, awards and lists with some of the world’s most famous footballers – formidable in Europe and the highest leagues of football in his day, he really helped put little old Ipswich Town on the map.
It was a great way to end a fantastic day, and I for one cannot wait until next years festival.
Next year, the event is proposed for the first weekend of October 2026!
https://www.ipswichbookfestival.com/
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I wish I could do it all again this weekend 📚
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Roseanne Byford 