STORIES are being brought to life this week with a series of unique and vibrant author talks, workshops, dance and poetry as part of Bracknell Forest Library’s first ever literary festival.

The successful event is well underway having launched at South Hill Park with Carnegie nominated and talented performance poet Joseph Coelho on October 26.

But there is still plenty to enjoy until November 2 at venues around the area.

Today (Wednesday, October 30), crime author Harry Dunn will discuss ‘Cooking to Killing - Life After the BBC’ with adult audiences at Great Hollands Library from 6pm to 7pm and romance and non-fiction writer Marion Dante will also give an author talk entitled ‘Dropping the Habit’ at Crowthorne Library from 2pm to 3pm.

Thursday will see a day packed full of talks and workshops for adults and children alike - including an interactive event with children’s author Eloise de Sousa at Ascot Heath Library from 10.30am for an hour.

Eloise will join fellow author Fiona Barker at Birch Hill Library later that day from 2.30pm to 4pm for an adult workshop on how to write for children.

Anjana Chowdhury will give an insight into ‘A Taste of India’ complete with a name that spice challenge and saree wrapping demonstration at Whitegrove Library from 5pm to 6pm, while David Barker will entertain audiences at Sandhurst Library from 2pm to 3pm with a talk called ‘Cli-Fi and the World War for Water’.

Friday, November 1, will see non-fiction fans enjoy the company of Alan Gallop with his latest book ‘Heathrow Airport Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ at Binfield Library from 3.30pm, and Birch Hill Library will host adventure writer SM Porter for a talk on ‘Archaeological Adventures’ at Birch Hill Library from 6pm.

The final day of the festival will see a range of events at Bracknell, Crowthorne and Sandhurst libraries, including an adults workshop by Susan Purcell which will unravel the language of cryptic crosswords and an author talk by Katharine Johnson on ‘The Suspects’.

For the full programme of events, go to www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/literaryfestival. Tickets £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.