ED2016 Spoken Word ED2016 Three To See ED2016 Week0 Edition

Three To See 2016: Booky events

By Caro Moses | Published on Saturday 30 July 2016

ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses helps you navigate the Festival with her Three To See tips. This time three recommended events at the Book Festival.

Leila Al-Shami and Robin Yassin-Kassab | Charlotte Square Gardens | 18 Aug
There are eight million (OK, slight exaggeration) brilliant events happening as part of this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival, and I can only recommend a few, which is sad. This was the first to catch my eye, though, as the above named pair – co-authors of ‘Burning Country’, a look at the Syrian opposition movement – take on the topic of ‘How We’re Failing Syria’. It’s an issue that’s been on my mind of late, and no doubt many other minds too.

The Write To Read – Discussing Dyslexia | Charlotte Square Gardens | 19 Aug
It’s always worth remembering, as a lover of books, that some people’s relationship with the written word can be a strained one, but that that is something that can be addressed. Appearing at this event about how to get younger readers reading is Vivian French, who overcame reading difficulties and became a successful writer, and who will discuss writing dyslexia-friendly books for young people. She’s joined by one of my favourite children’s authors, Cornelia Funke, and Barrington Stoke MD Mairi Kidd.

Aarathi Prasad | Charlotte Square Gardens | 26 Aug (pictured)
Aarathi Prasad is the author of ‘In The Bonesetter’s Waiting Room – Travels Through Indian Medicine’. It’s a unique survey of Indian medicine which takes in a wide range of subject matter – from Bollywood plastic surgeons to neuroscience in Delhi to a mental health initiative in a Mumbai slum. This discussion should make for a fascinating event.