Book Event: Walker Books Fiction Fest

Back in May, I got a VERY exciting email through inviting me and other bloggers to the #WalkerFictionFest. I of course jumped at the chance to go, Walker Books publishing some of my FAVOURITE books as a kid like The Tiger Who Came to Tea and We're Going on a Bear Hunt. I could not wait, although was a little nervous as didn't really know anyone going. 

I was very relieved to discover that Walker Books offices were easily findable and this was also massively helped by their awesome and iconic logo being right outside their offices.

Once in, we were shown into the amazing room they had set up, packed with delicious food, drink and of course a table of awesome Walker Books merchandise! I was so relieved there was food there as I was starving!

We all had a mingle and a chance to chat to other bloggers and the Walker Books Team there and then we were shown into the presentation room where we got to hear from some of Walker's amazing authors.

First up was Patrick Ness, who sadly couldn't be there with us, but he had recorded a brilliant video and gave a reading from his latest book The Rest of Us Just Live Here, which is coming out in August. Honestly I could listen to him all day. He definitely has to be the voice for the audio book. I really love the sound of this book. It's about what if you're not the chosen one? What if you're not the hero? What if like Mikey, you just want to graduate and pluck up the courage to ask Henna out before someone blows up the school..Again. Sometimes there are bigger problems than this week's end of the World. 

Next up was Katie Everson and her book Drop. I oohed and aahed along with the other bloggers there over her cover for the book. It is beautiful and so striking. Drop deals with the very real issue of drugs and fitting in and I cannot wait to start this one. They also showed us the book trailer for it which literally gave me goosebumps. Watch it below:

Next up we had Lauren James come and talk to us about her book The Next Together. If you loved The Time Travellers Wife like I did then this is definitely a book for you. Lauren is only 22 and not only is this her debut, but she has a Masters in Physics! I was so in awe of her and her talent. The Next Together is a powerful and epic debut novel about fate and the timelessness of first love. Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again. Each time their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. How many times can you lose the person you love? For Matthew and Katherine it is again and again, over and over, century after century. But why do they keep coming back? How many times must they die to save the world? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different.

We also got to hear all about how Lauren's book cover was designed which I found fascinating, as you got to see the design process and how they reached a decision. I think the cover they have chosen is perfect. There was also a talk from Maria about Cassandra Claire's new covers. My they are gorgeous and the amount of detail they have in them in amazing. I must admit I did prefer another cover that they were thinking of but after seeing the design process I fell in love with the new covers and could see why they chose them.

In the second part of our day, we got to hear about some more of Walker's upcoming books and the second installment of The Jewel, which the cover hasn't been finalised yet, but hopefully soon! 


Also we got to hear from Zoe Marriott and got a reading from her book Frail Human Heart, which is the third book in the trilogy of The Name of the Blade. She gave a brilliant reading and I know really want to read the first two books in the trilogy.













At the end of the day we got to take home a truly awesome Walker Books goodie bag! I can't decide whether to read Drop or The Next Together first!

A big thank you to all the team at Walker Books, I had a fabulous bookish time :)