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

Keeping up with the Cazalets
in 'Suffolk', October 2026
Louisa Young, niece of 'The Cazalet Chronicles' writer Elizabeth Jane Howard, discusses continuing her aunt's legacy ahead of her appearance at Bury Literature Festival.
Patching the puncture
in 'Suffolk', October 2026
Eight years after his dementia diagnosis, Suffolk's Peter Berry is still cycling and sharing his story - with friend and author Deb Bunt by his side.
Could you work with your son?
in 'Woman's Weekly', September 2026
Three women share the joys and challenges of having their offspring as a colleague.
'I want to live for today'
in 'Woman ', September 2026
Caroline Quentin on not being nostalgic, selling up and her new book.
Our dream jobs
in 'Woman's Weekly', September 2026
Three women tell us about the delicious work they do for a living.
Reimagining Rebecca
in 'Suffolk', September 2026
Ahead of her new novel 'The Housekeeper', inspired by Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca', Rose Tremain reflects on a life in writing rooted in Norfolk and returning to Mandeley.

More about books

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

 

 

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Investing in reading

It's been a busy week, packed with interviews - I've spoken to a classicist, a composer, an actor, a broadcaster and a man obsessed with gulls. Almost all of them have written books, even if that wasn't the reason I was speaking to them, so I'll be telling you more about our conversations in the coming weeks.

My workload over the past few days has meant that my own reading for pleasure has been curtailed. It never completely drops off because I'm not entirely 'myself' unless I'm lost in a good book.

Some people still need convincing of the value of reading though.

In Singapore, the government is paying people to read for at least 15 minutes a day. Their aim is to halt social media habits, and they have used financial rewards in other interventions in the past.

Commentators say that this 'gamified' approach - where a short-term reward mimicks the immediate dopamine hit of scrolling - is likely to be more beneficial than the actual financial gain (which is rather modest). And the 'manageable 15-minute daily goal, built around existing routines ... with tracking to keep progress visible' may make it a success.

Building positive habits is key to the 'secrets' revealed in Gyles Brandreth's new book about having a healthier, happier life, and he highlights research on reading in 'The 7 Secrets to the Hundred-Year Life'.

Just 30 minutes reading a day can add nearly two years to your life, he says. 'It strengthens 'executive function and memory' allowing us 'to cope with stress and problem-solve effectively and efficiently'. Come along to the event in November to find out more!

I wonder how the Booker judges were rewarded for their reading commitment this year. Of the 163 books they read in six months, we'll find out their favoured six titles on Tuesday evening. You can watch the announcement live online here. And we'll see whether our Booker Book Group prediction for this year's shortlist was in tune with the judges.

Thank you for reading.