February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Steve

As a freelance journalist, writer, editor and presenter, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide.

I regularly conduct on-stage interviews with authors and personalities at festivals and events, and for more than 10 years co-hosted a monthly on air book club with Lesley Dolphin at BBC Radio Suffolk.

Details of my events, book reviews and recommendations can be found on my website moreaboutbooks.com and all the latest information is available in my weekly e-newsletter which you can receive by signing up here or read recent issues here.

Or follow me on Twitter @catherinelarner

In the press

Magazine cover pagesAs a journalist I contribute lifestyle features and profiles for regional and national newspapers and magazines. Earlier in my career, I was the launch editor of what became the leading business journal for the fitness industry in Europe, and I regularly contributed articles about the market for a US publication.

published articles

On the radio

For more than 10 years I co-hosted an on-air book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin. Listen to past discussions here.

In addition, my print articles and author interviews often feature as podcasts. You can listen to an interview with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams for Premier Radio here.

view archive on moreaboutbooks.com

At events

Hosting book launches and talks for festivals and events throughout Suffolk, I regularly interview authors on stage with audiences from 30 to 300. I have been in conversation with Esther Freud, Salley Vickers, Victoria Hislop, Rev Richard Coles, Elly Griffiths and Patrick Gale (pictured).

view event listings on moreaboutbooks.com

Recent articles

For the love of the game
in 'Suffolk', August 2026
From him home in Woodbridge, former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks discusses the club's glory years, his love of Suffolk and how he's navigating an unexpected health battle.
Folk for today
in 'Suffolk', August 2026
After two decades together, FolkEast patrons The Young'uns return to the Suffolk festival with powerful stories, rich harmonies and a shared love of folk tradition.
Worth saving
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Three readers talk about coming together to rescue vital community assets.
The project of a lifetime
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Christine Adams devoted her life to a special building.
Miniature magic
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Three women share their passion for doll's houses.
Sarah Perry: a life, a death, a story
in 'Suffolk', June 2026
The award-winning author of 'The Essex Serpent', Sarah Perry reveals the deeply personal story behind her new book and reminisces about childhood holidays in Suffolk ahead of her appearance at Felixstowe Book Festival this month.

More about books

Catherine LarnerFor my book reviews, event information and blog, please visit moreaboutbooks.com

 

 

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Holiday reading

The schools have broken up and the sun is shining so it's time for the newspapers to print their summer book features - page after page of inviting, stimulating and entertaining reads.

Am I the only one who finds this overwhelming?! I want to stay informed, and am excited to find new authors or old classics I've missed. And I enjoy seeing what my favourite authors are recommending, or the new books that are causing a stir. But my to-be-read pile is already perilous. And even if I was going to be spending any time on a beach or a long flight, I'd have filled my suitcase with my literary wishlist long ago. Can I add any more titles when there are just so many hours in the day?

So I find lists difficult. I've probably said it before.

But the Booker Longlist is announced on Tuesday and this year I've been counting down the days!

I've looked up various bloggers on the internet to see what they are tipping as contenders for this year's prize, and it's been interesting viewing. Of course there's no clear consensus but I admire them taking a stand in their speculation.

And there's an interesting mix of judges - with classicist Mary Beard, musician Jarvis Cocker and novelist Patricia Lockwood being the headliners, alongside poet Raymond Antrobus and journalist Rebecca Liu. Will their selection be notably different from the type of books chosen in previous years?

There's always plenty to discuss when we meet for our special Booker Book Group, which is now a much anticipated annual event!

We have a good number who have already volunteered to each take one of the longlisted titles to read and then report back at our meeting on Monday 7 September. If you would like to join us and haven't yet let me know, do get in touch. And if you'd rather just come along to listen in to the discussion, there will be that opportunity too - I'll send out details nearer the time.

For everyone who's signed up so far, I will be emailing as soon as I can after the Longlist is announced, at 2pm on Tuesday. It will then be a dash to get copies of the books before they sell out. It's all rather exciting...

Thank you for reading.