February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Anonymous

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. As the former editor of the leading business journal for the fitness industry in Europe, I regularly contributed articles about the market for a US publication.

published articles

On the radio

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

In addition, my print articles and author interviews often feature as podcasts. You can listen to a recent 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. In the past year I have been in conversation with Esther Freud, Salley Vickers, Simon Garfield, Susie Dent, Melissa Harrison and Elly Griffiths.

view event listings on moreaboutbooks.com

Recent articles

Writing a new chapter in the story of Peter Duck
in 'Let's Talk', July 2022
A boat that was built for Swallows and Amazons author Arthur Ransome is being given new life in Suffolk, as Catherine Larner explains.
A kaleidoscope of who I am
in 'Suffolk', July 2022
The things we collect tell the story of our life and loves. Author Julia Blackburn and her friend and neighbour, artist Tessa Newcomb, decided to explore the objects in Julia's Suffolk village home.
Jim Lawrence
The sailmaker
in 'Classic Boat', June 2022
Jim Lawrence is a living icon of the days of sail, and although best known as a sailmaker, he started off as a barge hand on England's east coast.
A Helmingham love story
in 'Suffolk', June 2022
Marriage and moving to Helmingham as a young woman made Xa Tollemache a gardener and then an award-winning designer. Now she tells the story of how she transformed Helmingham's gardens, as well as many others, in a beautiful first book.
The clue's in the title
in 'Suffolk', June 2022
Slaughter in Southwold says it all. If you love a good murder mystery you won't want to miss this festival dedicated to crime writing. Meet the authors, learn their secrets...just don't expect them to tell you the whole story.
Sharing secrets with Suffolk
in 'Suffolk', June 2022
BBC journalist and broadcaster Justin Webb kept the truth about his real father a secret for most of his life. Now he reveals much about his painful 1970s childhood in a new book.

Forthcoming events

Sarah Langford in conversation
Friday 8th July, 7.30pm
an Woodbridge Library

The Sunday Times bestselling author, Sarah Langford recalls in her new book ‘Rooted’ how she felt about moving to Suffolk with her husband to take on the management of his small family farm. 
 
Preconceptions and prejudices were stripped away as she saw how farming has changed from her grandfather’s generation to the present day. 
 
The challenges of climate change, Brexit, falling incomes, accusations of ecological mismanagement, a hostile press and public - these issues and more are all addressed in a beautifully written personal response which is impossible to put down!

Many of the stories of the individual farmers she's met are shocking and upsetting in all that they've experienced, and ultimately this is an account of the destruction of our land. But in her warm, honest and passionate response, Sarah leaves the reader feeling uplifted and energised and, ultimately, hopeful, not least because of the good people who are trying to make a difference. 

Find out how Sarah came to write the book, the people she spoke to and how she views the future for farmers - and for all of us. 

Tickets are £20 and include a copy of 'Rooted'. One further ticket (without the book) can be purchased for £12. 

Sarah was recently on BBC Radio Four Start the Week discussing 'a revolution in food and farming' with George Monbiot and Claire Ratinon. Listen again here.

Read my interview with Sarah talking about her life as a criminal barrister here.

Sarah visited us at Browsers Bookshop, Woodbridge four years ago when she talked about her memoir of life as a criminal barrister in the city. Called 'In Your Defence', it was a Sunday Times bestseller, and her event with us was sold out weeks before the date. Take a look here. Don't miss out this time! Book your tickets here. 

Measure for measure

This weekend has been dominated, one way and another, by coverage of the Glastonbury Festival, taking place after a three year hiatus. With enthusiastic crowds and headline acts, it's been declared a great success and an indication that things are finally back to normal.

Yet other smaller and newer festivals have had to be cancelled due to lack of support, and others have had attendances lower than in previous years.

While many people are eager to do all the things they used to do, there's no doubt that others are more hesitant and, with the cost of living and covid cases both on the rise, there are practical reasons why some people are unable to participate in social events as much as they may like. 

Though the arts, theatre, performance, music and entertainment may seem peripheral to life when times are becoming harder for more of us, we mustn't forget how much they contribute to our sense of joy and wellbeing. And if we don't support the people putting on these enterprises now, they may not be there for us when things become more straightforward again.

The coming weeks see many local events taking place which boost our communities, reduce the need for travel and are often very competitively priced. I hope you will consider supporting them and book your tickets in good time so that the organisers are confident of going ahead with their plans. 

We can be informed, entertained and inspired by Sarah Langford on 8 July (see below), find out more about the writing of Rupert Thomson, whom we discussed in book group this year when he visits Suffolk Book League in Ipswich on 14 September, and delight in a great programme at the Lavenham Literary Festival in November. There are riches in store!

And tomorrow it's book group! So let me know by replying to this email if you are planning on coming along and I'll make sure the coffee's on and the chairs are out, and we can enjoy sharing our ideas about 'The Blue Book of Nebo'. I look forward to seeing you soon! 

Thank you for reading.

 

More about books

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