Now in its second year, the cosy, relaxed feel of the festival belies its astonishing ambition and scope. This year’s participants include Sir Terry Pratchett, Sir Andrew Motion, Michael Wood, Robert McCrum, Charlie Higson, Allison Pearson…I could go on and on. Talks and readings are interspersed with events such as a Crime Fiction Tea complete with Delicious Death cake while aspiring writers can take part in a Creative Writing session run by the bestselling author Celia Brayfield.

I participated in the festival last year as an author but took my 8 year old daughter along this time around to enjoy it from the other side of the fence. We listened enraptured to award-winning children’s author Anthony McGowan whose hilarious new book Einstein’s Underpants – And How They Saved The World is out now. Equally enthralling, and coping manfully with an audience whose age range spanned everything from toddlers to grown-ups, was Josh Lacey who has just published the latest in his brilliant Grk series, Grk Down Under.

Kudos to the indefatigable Torin Douglas and his team for what is a thoroughly enjoyable event. It pulls off the rare feat of appealing to a wide range of reading tastes while always remaining entertaining and informative. The festival runs through until tomorrow evening, Sunday 19th September, so you still have time to catch this evening’s events, which include Sir Andrew Motion, as well as Sadie Jones, Rebecca Frayn, Adele Parks et al. And the best thing about it? All the money raised goes to good causes including reading related charities. Now that’s what I call a literary festival with heart!

This is not because of any lack of love of books but rather the result of an intense burst of writing that has seen me publish a trilogy and start two completely new projects in a short space of time.  Compared to the other members of the panel and the audience, however, I classify as a wimp.  In one small area of West London there are eleven known book groups and probably many more beavering away anonymously.  Judging by the discussion that ensued, they are well-read, positively keen to overlook hyped up bestsellers and hungry for excellent writing both classic and new.

The debate bore out the old adage that you should never underestimate your audience.  Publishers sometimes make the mistake of thinking that dumbed down sells.  Maybe in Dan Brown’s case but then he is an exception to every rule.  What was apparent is that people everywhere, from all walks of life, still love and appreciate a good book.  We need more festivals like this to bring together such passionate bibliophiles. 

All praise to Torin Douglas (pictured) for his superb organisation of the event which attracted such luminaries as Michael Frayn, Jacqueline Wilson, Antonia Fraser, Anthony Horowitz, Sir Ian McKellen, Michelle Paver…and me.  All the money raised went to support three worthy charities.

For more about the festival visit:  http://chiswickbookfestival.org

As for that perfect book club book…there isn’t one.  The book club members I met were far too diverse, erudite and interesting to be pinned down to a genre, never mind a single book…

Here are a few dates for your diaries:

Sunday 27th September, 3pm,  I’ll be at the first ever Chiswick Book Festival to talk about the perfect Book Club Book along with Celia Brayfield – sadly I won’t be able to make the Saturday Children’s events as (happily) my best friend is getting married (aaaaaah):

http://chiswickbookfestival.org

Wednesday 30th September, 7 – 9pm, Waterstones Notting Hill – I’ll be talking about Thoroughly Modern Heroines alongside fellow authors Josa Young and Kate Morris:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=101979982767&ref=mf

Saturday 17th October, 2.30pm, Shepherds Bush Library – I’ll be talking about the Kumari trilogy and giving some writing tips

http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Leisure_and_Culture/Libraries/Shepherds_Bush_library/14295_Libraries_Shepherds_Bush.asp