February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Steve

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

The Architect and the Spider
in 'Pressing Matters', November 2026
In a future dominated by AI, it feels like objects shaped by the human hand, heart and soul will carry the truest significance. Bonfield Block-Printers have chosen a path at odds with the modern world - one of slow mastery, built one piece at a time.
Rome's hidden lives
in 'Norfolk', November 2026
Ahead of her Norwich Theatre Royal appearance, historian Mary Beard reveals how graffiti, crime and ordinary people can tell us as much about ancient Rome as emperors and gladiators.
The poetry of everyday life
in 'Suffolk', November 2026
As Poetry in Aldeburgh brings writers to the coast this month, poet Michael Laskey reflects on a lifetime spent championing verse.
A Christmas miracle in Orford
in 'Suffolk', November 2026
Inspired by Benjamin Britten's vision, Master of The King's Music, Errollyn Wallen is bringing a new Nativity opera to Suffolk, celebrating storytelling, community and the power of music.
A stitch in time
in 'Woman's Weekly', October 2026
With the Bayeux Tapestry having finally returned home to the UK, three readers tell us about their own sewing projects recording historical events.
Life in the Norfolk Alps
in 'Norfolk', October 2026
His social media posts were never intended for publication, but they have become a warm, funny and personal record of life in the county. Bestselling author Louis de Bernieres discusses writing, belonging and finding inspiration in everyday moments.

More about books

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

 

 

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Listening carefully

It's been a busy few days, though I've spent most of my time sitting and listening.

There have been a number of events with vastly different speakers presenting on a wide range of subjects and it's sparked all sorts of ideas for me, and added to the list of books I want to read!

On Wednesday, of course, we were treated to a one man show by Gyles Brandreth at The Riverside as he introduced his new book 'The Seven Secrets of the Hundred-Year Life'.

I was redundant as an interviewer as Gyles preferred to hold the stage, and he was incredible in giving an entertaining presentation without hesitation, repetition or deviation (or at least very little). He shared something of his childhood and early years, as well as his hopes for living well for longer, and there were lots of well known names he dropped into his story too, of course - everyone from TS Eliot to Queen Elizabeth!

Yesterday I went to an event where I learnt about a shepherdess now living in Suffolk who has worked with sheep all over the world. She talked about how the verses throughout Psalm 23 have been particularly significant for her in doing so. She was an impressive character and they were amazing sheep!

And today I went to the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival and heard Malika Booker give a lecture about her work. This also looked at the Bible, as Malika reimagined passages from the King James Version from the perspective of a Creole woman.

Malika explained how she has used the sonnet as the form with which to engage in the stories of the Levite woman and Samson's mother in the Old Testament. She talked of coupling in sonnets as well as the sonar sonnet - it was very educational! She reignited my interest in the poetry of Shakespeare and also Edmund Spencer, as well as some poets writing today, including Keith Jarrett who introduced her session. 

What a mix of topics and speakers! It's been stimulating, inspiring, energising and surprising and has reminded me to take up these opportunities whenever I can (and I hope you'll consider joining me to hear Hermione Lee speak in a couple of weeks' time - scroll down for details).

Thank you for reading.