With news of this year’s event programme still fresh, and my heart still pounding like a Spaniard’s drum at a Euro ’12 football match, I thought I’d take a moment to highlight a few of the events that I’m most excited about in this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival programme. It’s early days, and I’m sure I’ve overlooked a ton of stuff, but as it stands these are the upcoming events that I’m already wagging my tail hard for (author links lead to event pages on EdBookFest website)
The magnificence of translated fiction
So, I may still be absorbing the sheer quantity and quality of events featuring at this year’s EdBookFest, but a few favourites stand out. Obviously I’m super excited about the wealth of foreign fiction that’s coming to EdBookFest again this year. IFFP winner, Aharon Appelfeld, Dutch author Gerbrand Bakker (latest novel, The Detour (Harvill Secker), Norwegian Karl Ove Knausgaard (A Death in the Family (Harvill Secker)), Hungarian László Krasznahorkai (author of classic novel, Satantango (Tuskar Rock) who’s in conversation with Carlos Gamerro (The Islands), author of publisher And Other Stories, who publish some amazing works-in-translation), and the French author taking the translated literary world by storm right now – Laurent Binet, with his novel HHhH (Harvill Secker). I’m also excited by the concept of the ‘translation duels’ events – two in total: one covering French, and the other, Spanish – which pit leading translators against one another in a duel..well…hopefully not to the death.
Short fiction goodness
My short fiction appetite looks to be sated by this year’s offerings at EdBookFest. Top of the bill is of course Sunday Times Short Story Award winner Kevin Barry, who returns to EdBookFest for his third year in a row. This year, Barry’s joining in an event with Isreali short story legend Etgar Keret, and I can’t even put into words just how excited I am. And if that’s not enough for me, Nathan Englander is also coming to the festival, not only to join in short story conservation with Junot Díaz, but to also feature in a Masterclass with Etgar Keret. Wow, just WOW! Tag on the fact that Bloomsbury short publishing authors Jon McGregor (This isn’t the Sort of Thing That Happens to Someone Like You) and Lucy Wood (Diving Belles) are also coming to this year’s festival, and really, I don’t think my heart will be able to stand up to this much short fiction excitement during the month of August.
The delicious First Book Award
Regulars to RobAroundBooks will know that I have a soft spot for debuts, and having focussed on the First Book Award quite a lot at EdBookFest last year, I’m delighted to see that the award returns again this year, under new sponsor Anobii. It would take me way too long to run through those of the 45 nominated authors that I’m most excited about discovering, so I’ll name just three non-foreign authors (because I’ve covered my favourites in that category above) – Jenni Fagan (The Panopticon; William Heinemann), Will Wiles (Care of Wooden Floors; HarperPress) and Greg Baxter (The Apartment; Penguin Ireland) – and leave you to browse the other nominated authors and their books, at your leisure.
So, in a nutshell, this is what I’m most excited about so far, for this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival ((I forgot to mention an appearance by Joyce Carol Oates, who I missed in 2010 and regretted ever since). The organisers have once again in 2012, put together a programme of events that is staggering in its breadth and beathtaking in its depth. Every year I think the festival can’t get much better, but it always does. In reality I want to go to every event, but that of course is impossible. And so I will embrace those events which mean the most to me, and enjoy a connection with the authors and forms which never fail drive and motivate me, or to nurture my soul.
But of course, it’s not only the authors themselves that thrill me, and many other people, when it comes to EdBookFest. Perhaps more than anything else it’s the presence of the festival itself that enthrals. The atmosphere, the buzz, the meeting of beautiful minds, the unbridled love for literature – Charlotte Square Gardens is a truly magical place to be in August. It’s a true mecca for booklovers, and just being there is what probably motivates and drives me the most. 7 weeks and counting? However will I stand the strain? 
.
Your turn dear reader. If you’ve had the chance to browse this year’s EdbookFest programme (if not, why not? ), what are the events that you are most excited about? I’d love to know, just in case I’ve skimmed over something ‘golden’ . Please drop your comments in the usual place below.
About Rob
Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul" - 
I don’t know why I read the programme, it was pure torture. I’ll have to start buying lottery tickets to scare up the $ to attend, otherwise I will, once again, have to attend vicariously through you, Rob
says:
So sad to hear this Sue. I really wanted you to be there this year
I’ll try as hard as I can to bring you as much of the Festival as I can. Nobody else, just you 
.
Warmest
Rob
How on earth are you going to manage all that? And is all that happening in a week or two, or three months?!
says:
Mental innit? Festival lasts for just short of three weeks. I’m going to aim for all 750 events this year
Warmest
Rob
I’m still browsing, Rob. You’re too fast for me! I’m on the first day, where there is a nice discussion about the attraction of Dystopian literature, about the psychology of time, there’s Simon Callow and there’s Alexander McCall Smith. A good start.
I’d say 30% chance I’m actually going. If there are enough interesting events clustered around a small number of days, I may go. If it’s all spread out too much, then I won’t make the trek. We’ll see.
Glad you found some great favorites already!
says:
Hi Judith,
I’m hoping you do manage to find a cluster of events that encourage you to come along. Be great to meet you in the flesh.
As for me being fast? I’m skimming and have no doubt missed loads. Expect my own list of favs to increase rapidly
Warmest
Rob
Great post Rob! I of course agree with all your choices
. And like you have said in the post one of my favourite things about the festival is being surrounding by so many other book lovers. Words can not describe how wonderful the atmosphere is every year.
says:
Thanks Sarah, and YES it’s the atmosphere more than anything else, and the connections one makes. I most certainly count you as one of those inspiring connections. Your passion for books and reading definitely rubs off on anyone else around you. 7 weeks to wait though? *sigh*
Warmest
Rob
Thanks Rob. I count you as one of the inspiring connections I met at the book festival. Like I have said before you short story recommendations have never let me down. 7 weeks and counting, I can not wait.
Sarah
says:
You’re too kind Sarah xx
Ha Ha I am so NOT going to run into you at events. My ‘must see’ list is as odd mixture of teen authors and crime writers. So, in order of appearance, Keren David, Peter Cocks, Sara Sheridan (actually she fits neither category) James Mayhew, Philip Ardagh, Peter May and Yrsa Sigurdardottir, SJ Watson, Chris Brookmyre, Doug Johnstone, Garth Nix, LA Weatherly, Nicola Morgan, Teri Terry (with Anne Cassidy and Susanne Winnacker), Mons Kallentoft, mark Billingham, Jasper Fforde, Eoin Colfer, Marcus Sedgwick, Chris Priestley. Oh and maybe catch something in that other Festival thingy that’s on at the same time! I’m going to have to pick my days in Edinburgh very carefully but at least this year we’re coming for more than a flying visit.
says:
Hi Mary,
Wow…I can’t believe that our paths won’t cross at any events. You list so many here, that the odds should have been high on us sitting together at least once. Still, I’m sure we’ll hook up at some point because as you say you’re in Edinburgh for more than a flying visit. Fantastic!
Warmest
Rob
Actually the head to head translation events sound very interesting (I saw similar advertised at Hay) but I can’t imagine I could persuade any one to go to them! We aren’t really going to that long list of events – mostly because of the dreaded Exam Result Day (and the cost) – but will just track down some of these folk and say Hi, sign my book please.
says:
wonderful selection of translation ,I m off to sulk lol have fun Rob look forward to the experience via your blog ,all the best stu
says:
Finally Stu, I get to get you back for being in London for the IFFP when I wasn’t
. Only kidding, I’m sad you won’t be around but I’ll bring you as much of a flavour as I possibly can.
Warmest
Rob