Having enjoyed the Edinburgh Fringe and International Book Festival last year, I booked again for a return visit in 2013. Had I known in advance what would be in store for me during the intervening period, I would have reserved a week under a sunshade. However, having galvanised a bit of energy, I made it to Charlotte Square most mornings for the 10 at 10 session which featured a short reading from a visiting author. One of the treats included the opening pages from the The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extense. This is a debut novel that is included in Richard and Judy’s Summer Book Club. The story is told in the distinctive voice of seventeen year old Alex and revolves around an unusual friendship with Mr Peterson, an American, pot-smoking widower. You can read more about the book in a Guardian review here.
Further highlights included another debut novelist, Courtney Collins talking about her book The Burial, a story inspired by the life of Jessie Hickman a twentieth century Australian horse rustler. I also got to touch base with Ronald Frame talking about his latest novel Havisham.
In terms of the Fringe, we caught a few comedy shows including Rachel Parrish whose singing/comedy act had me in stitches (the performer is tagged as the Glee-Club chick gone wrong).
When we returned to Dorset, the plants in the garden decided to put on a welcome home display
Begonia
Dahlias
Yucca
the writer is a lonely hunter 
And you will be pleased to know that advertisement here in The Mani News is to include quote from your blog. This is to promote a talk, coffee morning talk in Stoupa on Handfasted Wife. I was sought , did not seek. It will be in October! Glad you enjoyed the Festival. On my to do list. My son goes.
That’s great news!
Reblogged this on notes from far away.