New events for 2019 announced

We’ve just announced four fantastic new events in the programme line-up for this year’s Book Festival – tickets have just gone on sale.

Conservative politician Rory Stewart discusses what Brexit Britain can learn from the world of literature, acclaimed comedian James Acaster introduces his hotly-anticipated memoir and the life and work of the inimitable writer and illustrator Judith Kerr is celebrated with an array of top writing and illustrating talents.

In addition, in a special event in partnership with BBC Radio 2’s Book Club, on the day before the Book Festival officially opens (9 August), we welcome Alexander McCall Smith and Kit de Waal to discuss The Novels that Shaped Our World.

Thanks to his singular style, James Acaster has become one of Britain’s funniest and most revered stand-up comedians with five nominations for the Edinburgh Comedy Award to his name. In a special late-night event on Wednesday 21 August at 22.00 he discusses his memoir, Perfect Sound Whatever – a love letter to the healing power of music, and how one man's obsessive quest saw him defeat the bullshit of one year with the beauty of another, with writer, performer and ‘stand-up poet’ Rob Auton.

Despite coming fourth in the Conservative Party’s leadership contest, Rory Stewart has emerged as one of this strange Summer’s surprise political winners. The International Development Secretary’s refreshing honesty and viral Twitter campaigning won him admirers across the political spectrum – and a growing sense that he is a future leader. On Monday 26 August at 17.00 he talks to Guardian Chief Culture Writer Charlotte Higgins about what Brexit Britain can learn from the world of literature.

The inimitable writer and illustrator Judith Kerr died earlier this year. Her books have been read and loved by generations and her influence on today’s young artists and authors is profound. Author and critic Daniel Hahn is joined by literary agent Lindsey Fraser and illustrators Eilidh Muldoon, Catherine Rayner, Tom Morgan-Jones and Kate Leiper for a heartfelt tribute to the artist and her work on Tuesday 20 August at 16.00.

To mark the 300th anniversary of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe a new BBC television series to be broadcast this autumn will explore The Novels that Shaped Our World. Ahead of the series, BBC Radio 2’s Book Club are asking guests to discuss their favourites, from the established classics to the popular contemporary hits. Stig Abell, journalist and editor of the Times Literary Supplement, is joined by novelists Alexander McCall Smith and Kit de Waal in this special event chaired by producer and radio presenter Joe Haddow on Friday 9 August at 11.30 in the Spark Theatre on George Street.