Bookish

Had a long lie in...and was enjoying reading the paper when my ipad seized up and then blanked out. Oh dear, I think it maybe broken - not bad for 11 years old but I'll hope I can get it repaired and won't need a new one.
I did some laundry then some meal planning for the next few days and walked along to the supermarket. Decided to make a batch of shortbread to stock up the tin - haven't made any for ages (and of course when a couple broke I needed to test them out!).
I went over to the Book Festival's first day in EFI. Beautiful weather and the tents on the lawn with so many people enjoying the picnic benches and sitting around in the sun. The first event for me was a reception on the 4th floor where I met up with CW and MH from book group - doing their traditional 'pointing out the view' pose. Chatted to them, the Festival Director JN, and CB who I haven't seen for a long time. 
After the reception we went down to the event space to see Margaret Atwood beaming in from her home in Canada and being interviewed by Naomi Alderman (who I hadn't heard of but soon found out more about her and her novels and games work). The two of them were clearly great friends and the conversation sparkled and fizzed along, talking societal pessimism, utopias (practical and dystopian), politics and lots else. A great session, despite some technical glitches that means Margaret couldn't see Naomi or us at all.
I came home briefly before returning to see Sara Sheridan and Lesley McDowell in conversation, talking about historical fiction, characters who are invisible in the more formal historical accounts. Interesting enough...
I just had time for a drink and some crisps out on the lawn before going in to the event space again to see the previous Festival Director NB in conversation with Elif Shafak. Once again these two are good friends and it showed...great discussion that covered so many very fascinating topics including Mesopotamia, cuneiform writing, different forms of storytelling in different cultures, the River Thames and climate change. I can't do justice to it but she's a wonderful, warm speaker and it was excellent.
Home for some supper and the last bits of Olympic coverage.
Good day, with some very stimulating discussions to listen in to.