The Balham Literary Festival is back with a 'Happy Healthy Home' theme

Brought to us by Dulwich Books, the festival, ‘Happy, Healthy, Home?’, takes place from June 8-11 at the Bedford and focuses on how we can create the healthiest and most nurturing environment in our homes.

Owner of Dulwich Books, Susie Nicklin, said: “This summer we turn our gaze to the concept of home.

“How do we create a space - both within and without - that will nurture us and enable us to thrive, rather than simply to survive?

“What happens when that space is threatened by war, displacement, colonisation, annexation? Without a sense of ease, or with disease, how can we achieve the peace that a successful home offers?

“We’ll look at mental and physical health, life-enhancing activities like eating, swimming and singing, present events for children and even prescribe books to make you feel better.

“Enjoy a warm welcome, music and poetry, browse our pop-up bookshop and relax in the cosy, shabby chic atmosphere of The Bedford, a legendary venue and a home from home for all Balhamites.”

The programme includes talks on home cooking, exercise, mental health, and literary remedies for dilemmas in life. A political tone will ensue in the wake of the general election, with talks on Britain’s role in the Iraq War and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Family plays a key role in this year’s festival with discussions on fatherhood, multi-generational family migration, masculinity and specific events will be held for kids.

In tribute to The Bedford’s infamous history as the site of a Victorian murder trial, a “blockbuster” line-up of crime fiction authors is in store.

There will also be a pop-book shop all weekend in The Bedford.

Home Cook with Thomasina Miers

"Thomasina Miers is a confident, thoughtful and life-enhancing cook, who writes a weekly column for The Guardian.

"She is also a shrewd and pioneering businesswoman, the co-founder of the famous Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca, and a philanthropist, not to mention the mother of three daughters.

"Come and hear her talk about her career to date, and be won over by her enthusiasm and vivacity; and take home a copy of her new book Home Cook to practise her style in your own home."

Iraq: The Cost of War

"Scheduled for publication in 2005, Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s incendiary Iraq: The Cost of War is one of the most important books ever to be postponed by the British government.

"It is written by the UK’s former ambassador to the United Nations and it describes the role of Britain in the Iraq War from the point of view of an insider.

"Initially banned by Jack Straw it was finally published last year and explains in detail how we got involved and why.

"Sir Jeremy will be interviewed by Patrick Wintour of the Guardian. Between them they will show us how wars are initiated and the impact on civilians and combatants alike.

"Balham itself suffered heavily from the effects of World War II and understanding war is an essential component of explaining the need for home."

Greatest Hits

"We turn from war and its aftermath to a fun, music-filled evening of word and song. South Londoner Laura Barnett is the author of the fabulous bestselling novel The Versions of Us.

"Her new book is Greatest Hits, the story of a former 1970s rock star who looks back at her tumultuous life.

"This event will be the first opportunity to buythe book before its official publication on 15th June.

"Laura will be joined by Mercury Prize nominated, singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams who will perform a series of songs inspired by the novel.

"Taking the Bedford back to its roots as a premier venue for launching
singer-songwriters, including Ed Sheeran, this will be a relaxing Friday night event."

Neon Leon Visits Balham (ages 3+)

Everyone knows that chameleons are the best at fitting in. But not Leon. Leon is neon! In fact, he’s SO bright that he keeps all the other chameleons awake at night.

"But poor Leon is lonely, so he goes off in search of somewhere
he can blend in.

"Will he ever find a place he can fit in…?

"Join us for an interactive children’s storytelling session with Jane Clarke, author of Neon Leon and 80 other children’s books.

"The children will learn all about Leon and take part in a range of fun arts and crafts activities inspired by his story.

"N.B. all children must be supervised by a responsible adult."

A Good Enough Father

"For many, the concept of home involves a key figure – the mother. Here we look instead at the notion of fatherhood.

"Howard Cunnell is a local, Brixton-based author whose family life is complicated, life-enhancing, contradictory and who describes his transgender child’s trajectory with love, and luminous prose.

"Edward Docx has produced one of this year’s finest novels, about three sons and their road trip to Switzerland with their complicated father who wishes to end his life via Dignitas, the assisted dieying organisation, Jonathan Dean has written about three generations of men and migration, covering stories from Vienna, Cologne, Ukraine and elsewhere, and will talk to us about what it means to be a refugee, to be a European, to be British and to be a father, a son and a grandson.

"This is a not-to-be-missed unique gathering of three exceptional writers."

South London Crime Fiction Extravaganza

"Veteran Balhamites may remember the none too salubrious history of our venue The Bedford.

"Once a hang-out for real-life gangsters, on Saturday afternoon the pub will play host to some of the finest crime novelists this side of the river.

"We look forward to hearing from Anna Mazzola (The Unseeing), Annemarie Neary (The Orphans) and Angela Clarke (Trust Me), all of whom have written thrilling crime novels set in South London.

"If you’re looking for a riveting summer read, then this is the event for you. Only fictional gangsters welcome."

Palfest comes to Balham

"Founded in 2008 with the mission of affirming ‘the power of culture over the culture of power’, The Palestine Festival of Literature (Palfest) is an annual event that takes place in cities across Palestine and Israel, including Jerusalem, Ramallah, Haifa and Nablus."

"It has become an iconic emblem of the ways in which writers and
readers transcend obstacles to come together and to appreciate literature in all genres.

"We are delighted to welcome its founder, Ahdaf Soueif, to introduce four of the outstanding writers who have taken part over the years and who have contributed to a powerful new anthology – This Is Not a Border - of pieces from and about the festival.

"They will help us to understand how refugees, displaced people, those whose lives are disrupted daily by politics and those whose country appears on few maps can celebrate and create a home through words.

"Since Balham has for many decades provided a home for refugees, economic migrants and immigrants we welcome these voices from afar."

Sarah Driver Presents The Huntress: Sea (ages 9+)

"Set in a world of tribes and beasts and mystical powers, Sea is the first book in a brand new fantasty adventure trilogy set aboard The Huntress.

"Sea-churning, beast-chattering, dream-dancing, whale-riding, terrodyl-flying, world-saving adventure.

"If you like Northern Lights, The Lie Tree, The Last Wild or Rooftoppers, you’ll love Sea.

"On Sunday morning we invite children to climb aboard The Huntress for a special interactive session with author Sarah Driver.

"With storytelling and creative writing activites for the children, it promises to be a fun-filled adventure."

No Place Like Home

"Join us for a soul-searching journey to the edgelands. Kapka Kassabova’s brilliant book Border, a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, takes us to the Eastern reaches of Europe, to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, a region of three alphabets, and reveals for us the human consequences of nationalism and totalitarianism, of the outcome of a
narrow focus on identity and ethniticy, of the result of fences and walls.

"Jan Rüger takes us to the Northern edge of the continent, to the North Sea and the tiny island of Heligoland, once Britain’s smallest colony, an inconvenient and notoriously discontented outpost at the edge of Europe that has become a microcosm of the Anglo-German relationship.

"Together they will discuss the places that exist on contested national, cultural and ethnic boundaries.

"They will be in conversation with Joshua Jelly-Schapiro whose book Island People travels around the Caribbean, another realm of contested borders, an archipelago of languages, religions, ethnicities, geography and history."

Swimming for the Soul

"Continuing our watery theme from Sarah Driver’s wonderful book for children, we now take to the high seas as adults.

"Jenny Landreth and Alexandra Heminsley have both written powerful, life-affirming books about the transformative power of swimming.

"Jenny Landreth’s Swell: A Waterbiography is part memoir part social history.

"It focusses on those pioneering women – the ‘swimming suffragettes’ – who shrugged off the disapproval of their
husbands to liberate swimming for all women.

"Meanwhile, Alexandra Heminsley’s Leap In is the intensely personal
story of how wild swimming can heal and liberate.

"Pitting women against the waters, each of our speakers will explain the importance of swimming for her and how it can salve the soul.

"Given that we have two of the UK’s finest Lidos in South London, in Tooting and Brockwell Park, this an event not to be missed. Dive in!"

The Novel Cure - Afternoon Tea

"Are you suffering from heartburn or heartache? From gloom, or doom, or depression, or anxiety?

"Do you need to curl up with a book as balm, or as ballast for your life’s journey? Is there an occasion you need to celebrate, shun,
enhance?

"Susan Elderkin is your expert. Bring her your problems, your woes, your worries and she will prescribe a book that will soothe and dissipate your cares.

"In advance of this event we will be asking you to share your concerns, and over tea Susan will suggest books for the pre-described conditions. For those who have requested solace in advance we’ll have copies of the books available in our pop-up shop.

"Books really can help. Trust us, we’re booksellers.

"Please send your dilemmas to hello@dulwichbooks.co.uk with subject The Novel Cure."

Tristimania: Jay Griffiths in conversation

"Tristimania tells the story of Jay Griffith’s devastating year-long episode of manic depression, culminating in a long solo pilgrimage across Spain.

"The book is a rare record of the experience of mania and shows how the condition is at once terrifying and also profoundly creative, both tricking and treating the psyche.

"In particular, it focuses on how literature might serve to alleviate the suffering and torment of mental illness.

"Join Jay as she discusses her experiences of depression and recovery, considering what we can all learn from
her story."

A Life In Brain Surgery with Henry Marsh

"One of our bestselling titles at Dulwich Books, Henry Marsh’s Do No Harm described his life as a brain surgeon with searing honesty and breathtaking, excruciating detail.

"In this new memoir he takes us through his career and reflects on a life of service.

Henry Marsh has operated in Nepal, Albania and the Ukraine but above all he spent thirty years at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

"We are honoured that he has agreed to return to SW London to speak to us about his books and his life.

"He will be in conversation with a well-known local GP, Rosemary Leonard, who is herself an author and whose practice is local to Dulwich Books.

Check out our gallery for times and the website for prices and more information.