February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Anonymous

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

Hot off the press
in 'Suffolk', November 2024
James and Katie Jenkins left their careers, and armed with an 1860 letterpress and an unerring eye for detail, launched a Suffolk-based stationery business founded on traditional techniques and sustainability.
The painter's daughters
in 'Suffolk', November 2024
Gainsborough's name is synonymous with Suffolk, but it was his daughters, one who suffered from mental illness and the other who cared for her, who grabbed Emily Howes' imagination and inspired her to write a novel about them.
Pressing matters
in 'Coast', November 2024
A tranquil, secluded corner of Suffolk is home to a designer-maker studio, producing stunning stationery and running traditional craft courses. Catherine Larner finds out more.
A treasured collection
in 'Jarrolds magazine', October 2024
Daniel Dawson-Gordon is bringing the unloved back to life at his reclamation yard in Norfolk, and his one-of-a-kind treasures for the home are now available in Jarrolds.
Profile Frank Cottrell-Boyce
in 'Premier Christianity', October 2024
The Waterstone's children's laureate and mastermind of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony on normalising faith, telling hopeful stories and why he no longer apologises for being a Christian.
The garden untamed
in 'Norfolk', October 2024
In his latest book, The Accidental Garden, acclaimed nature writer Richard Mabey explores the creativity and ingenuity of plants, insects, birds and animals.

From page to screen

TLast week was a very busy week for me, but I still managed to make three trips to the cinema and watch a few hours of shows on streaming channels!

In normal circumstances I would have told myself that I couldn't fit in all that screen time but it depends on your priorities doesn't it?! I knew that if I didn't get to see the films this week, the opportunities would have passed me by. They didn't have any other showings at the cinema and my free offers on the streaming channels came to an end this weekend!!

Looking back, each film or series was an adaptation of a book and it's been interesting considering how I've responded to them all.

There were the books I hadn't read which I saw as films at The Riverside - 'Touch', a novel by Swedish writer Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson, and 'Outrun', a memoir by Amy Liptrot. Both interesting films, beautifully shot, though a little slow, and which haven't left me keen to read the original text.

And there were the books I had read - 'Disclaimer' by Renée Knight and 'Slow Horses' by Mick Herron, both streaming on Apple TV.

It's so difficult to work out what makes a good adaptation, isn't it? I think 'Slow Horses' is brilliant because the cast of characters worked so well. The book was good (I've only read the first in the series, and some time ago) but the tv version has had me completely gripped and I'm eager now to return to the books.

But 'Disclaimer', despite having Cate Blanchett as the lead and beautiful settings, hasn't held my attention. This when I thought the book a great concept, and will always think of it fondly because Renée held her book launch with me at Browsers in Woodbridge many years ago. I urge you to read the book!

I feel I might be taking a risk in a few days' time, though, because the animated film of the children's book I mentioned recently is showing at The Riverside cinema. 'The Wild Robot' was a wonderful story with a powerful message. I know the film has received good reviews so I'll be going to see it with high hopes!

Thank you for reading.

More about books

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