Sara signs on for Borders Book Festival’s August programme

Organisers are delighted with the “enormous success” of the online shows, and have announced their August programme to watch for free from Sunday, August 2.

Amongst the highlights are novelist and Irish Laureate for Fiction Sebastian Barry, a festival stalwart ever since winning the Walter Scott Prize in 2012 and 2017; a further spotlight on the world’s master storytellers with Val McDermid and David Baldacci; landmines, Love Island and loneliness from the inspirational Camilla Thurlow; and Dr Amir Khan from Channel 5’s Behind Closed Doors tells how he helped lead one of the busiest GP surgeries in the country through the unprecedented trials of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Festival director Alistair Moffat said: “We’ve been delighted with the positive response we’ve received since the virtual festival launched this month and are excited to reveal a lively and eclectic line-up for August.

“It’s thanks to the continued support of Baillie Gifford, McInroy & Wood, Creative Scotland, and Scottish Borders Council, as well as other sponsors, that we can deliver this dynamic programme of events, with more promised throughout September”

August offers a plethora of events scheduled every Sunday, presenting a rich and diverse programme with something for everyone.

All the family can join in with the morning show at 11am, followed by the adult events at 4pm and 7pm.

And in a midweek special, riotously funny comedian Sara Pascoe will be joining the festival with an exclusive special event on modern masculinity and sexual economics at 8pm on Thursday, August 20.

Here is the full line-up

Sunday, August 2

11am – Children’s author Alan Windram will be launching the latest title from his award-winning picture book series One Button Benny.

4pm – Broadcaster and novelist Sally Magnusson on myth, immortality and the role of women in society with festival director Alistair Moffat.

7pm – US bestselling thriller writer David Baldacci talks to Lee Randall about his latest novel A Minute to Midnight.

Sunday, August 9

11am – Hilarious adventures from Wigglesbottom Primary with author Pamela Butchart.

4pm – Dutch historian Rutger Bregman presents a new view on human nature.

7pm – Award-winning novelist Sebastian Barry on his latest novel A Thousand Moons.

Sunday, August 16

11am – Eilidh Muldoon will show young viewers how to draw a very sleepy owl in this launch event for Snooze.

4pm – Environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt presents a compelling blueprint for post-COVID -19 recovery.

7pm – Former Bishop of Edinburgh, and bestselling author Richard Holloway helping us to make sense of the world with writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson.

Thursday, August 20

8pm – Sara Pascoe’s special on modern masculinity.

Sunday, August 23

11am – Fun facts and drawing tips from master cartoonist Gary Northfield, the creator of the hilarious Julius Zebra books.

4pm – How to change the world with young activist and entrepreneur Jeremiah Emmanuel.

7pm – Unrivalled queen of crime Val McDermid on her latest heart-pounding thriller Still Life.

Sunday, August 30

11am – Much-loved Sir Charlie Stinky Socks author, Kristina Stephenson.

4pm – Reflections on celebrity culture and mental health with Camilla Thurlow and her inspirational new memoir Not The Type.

7pm – Dr Amir Khan introduces his brand-new book The Doctor Will See You Now and talks about the highs and lows of his life as an NHS GP.

And remember, all events from the July programme are still available to view for free at any time from the festival website www.bordersbookfestival.org