What We’re Reading: Durham Book Festival 2025 Edition

Claire Malcolm

It has been very stimulating over the summer to get to grips with the work of Catherine Cookson. I grew up reading Cookson’s novels as both my mum and my nannas shared her books. I read some of them when I was far too young and they have stayed in my memory. Returning to her South Shields set novel Colour Blind, which explores an inter-racial relationship in the 1920s, was fascinating, as was learning more about Cookson’s life and working-class upbringing. John Carey in the Sunday Times wrote that ‘for literary intellectuals Dame Catherine is an upsetting phenomenon… disgracefully popular’. She published over 104 books and at one point was the eleventh richest woman in the country. Not bad for a girl that grew up in very tough circumstances near Jarrow. In The Working Class Library Podcast Live event at Durham Book Festival, we’ll be exploring her life and work, the snobbery around her writing and asking why her books seems to have fallen out of fashion and whether we should be bringing them back.

Anna Disley

I’ve long been a fan of John Harris’ political and cultural journalism, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him at Durham Book Festival talk about his book Maybe I’m Amazed. This autobiographical account of the connection through music between John Harris and his autistic son James is a subject close to my heart. I enjoyed the renewed enthusiasm and insight James gives him for artists such as Amy Winehouse, The Smiths, Kraftwerk, The Clash and especially The Beatles; there’s also a fun encounter with Mott the Hoople’s Ian Hunter. But in common with many parents of children with SEND, he has to navigate the woefully inadequate education system and fight for the support James needs. This book is at once a polemic railing against the treatment of SEND children in our public services as well as an uplifting tribute to the power of music to connect us.

Helena Davidson

From this year’s Durham Book Festival books, I’ve really enjoyed reading Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin. The novel follows Jay as she tries to come to terms with the (slightly ironic idea) of being the lesbian sister of a future Catholic saint – inspired by the story of Carlo Acutis, who has just recently been canonised. 

The novel doesn’t shy away from the issues this process drags up, such as generations of Catholic hypocrisy and trauma, and the church’s views on sexuality, but rather deals with these topics head on, with a great deal of wit and relatability. It will be great for discussion in our Commentary Through Comedy event as the comedy is so deftly used to tackle the big themes of grief, identity and family. This is an understated gem of a novel. 

Rebecca Wilkie

I love reading memoir and biography and can’t wait for our event with Durham mother and daughter writers, Dame Pat and Anna Barker. Anna is writing her mother’s life story and weaving her own life in too – Pat is one of our greatest living writers and this insight into Anna’s forthcoming book, Dipped in Ink, will be revelatory and exclusive to Durham Book Festival.

I am predisposed to love the Beatles – I grew up under the blue suburban skies of south Liverpool around the corner Strawberry Fields and a short walk from Penny Lane. I’ve read most of the books that form the Beatles canon and was excited to read John & Paul, the latest addition from Ian Leslie. It focusses on the relationship between Lennon and McCartney, from their shared childhood in south Liverpool, to the ups and downs of their artistic collaboration throughout their adulthood. I’m looking forward to hearing Ian talking about the writing of this book and exploring the particular alchemy that made Lennon and McCartney such genius writers and composers. Beatles fans may also be interested in our event with John Harris the next day.

Sarah France

One of my favourite reads this year has been Thirst Trap by Gráinne O Hare. This sharp and witty debut follows Maggie, Harley and Róise, flatmates and friends living in Belfast and grappling with relationships, work, grief, loss, renting, clubbing, and turning 30. Each character has a distinct and compelling voice, and the story is emotional and affecting, reflecting on female friendships and how they develop and evolve. Messy and chaotic in all the best ways. I’m excited to see her in the Comedy Through Commentary session on Sunday with Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Vincenzo Latronico.

Jill Read

I enjoy Lanre Bakare’s work as an arts correspondent in the Guardian, making sure that people do know, that yes, culture exists up here in the North too. His first book, We Were There, looks at the un-explored Black British culture from the late 70s to early 90s. It promises to tell some of the hidden stories of British culture, forged by Black rugby league superstars, environmental campaigners, radical artists, social justice activists and Acid House ravers in the cities and towns of the north.