Welcome

As a writer and editor, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing many fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide.

Now that I am largely based in East Anglia, I am indulging my passion for books, reading, and writing by interviewing authors, hosting events and sharing my reviews and recommendations.

Each month I host a book club on air for BBC Radio Suffolk with the afternoon presenter, Lesley Dolphin, and I chair and organise author talks for children and adults.

Past events include Alexander McCall Smith, Margaret Drabble, Victoria Hislop, Griff Rhys Jones, Kate Mosse, Deborah Moggach, Maggie O'Farrell, Michael Morpurgo, Robert Peston, Kate Humble, Alan Johnson MP and many more.

I hope you will enjoy reading details of my events, my reviews and recommendations.

Catherine

Events

coming soon

Martin Walker in conversation
Monday 16th September, 1.00pm
at Woodbridge Library
The popular crime writer talks about France, food, wine and his village policeman
read more
Max Hastings on 'Chastise'
Tuesday 24th September, 1.30pm
at Woodbridge Community Hall
The celebrated author discusses his major new work on a legendary and dramatic episode in British History, the raid of the Dambusters.
read more
Nicola Upson in conversation
Thursday 26th September, 7.30pm
at Browsers Bookshop
Novelist Nicola Upson imagines the life of the artist Stanley Spencer through the eyes of his housekeeper, Elsie.
read more

Browsers Book Group

A Modern Family
by Helga Flatland
Described as 'beautiful, elegant writing', this is 'a bittersweet novel of regret, relationships and rare psychological insights'. What will we make of it? Join in the friendly discussion at Browsers Book Group, Woodbridge. There's no charge, just a small contribution for refreshments and free flapjack!
Monday, 29 July 2019 - 8:00pm

recent events

Victoria Hislop in conversation
Wednesday 29 May 2019
The best-selling novelist introduced her new book, set in Greece, called 'Those Who Are Loved'
read my report
Oliver Soden on Michael Tippett
Tuesday 7 May 2019
One of the greatest composers of the 20th century, introduced to us by his biographer, Oliver Soden.
read my report
John Connolly in conversation
Tuesday 7 May 2019
A lunchtime meeting with the bestselling crime writer, introducing 'A Book of Bones'
read my report

Archive

Visit my archive pages for details of all events in recent years.

Book reviews

My recent recommendations

The Flatshare
by Beth O'Leary
Leon and Tiffy share a flat and a bed, but they've never met. Is this the perfect solution to the cost of living in London?!
read my review
Review date: 06.05.19
Everybody died, so I got a dog
by Emily Dean
Can all of life's problems be solved with a dog? This is a wonderfully funny and terribly sad story of family, loss and healing.
read my review
Review date: 06.05.19
The Moment of Lift
by Melinda Gates
Powerful, distressing, inspiring, challenging, uplifting, disturbing... This is the most extraordinary book. Read it!
read my review
Review date: 25.04.19
You Will Be Safe Here
by Damian Barr
A heart-wrenching account of three generations in South Africa. Terrible and brilliant.
read my review
Review date: 25.04.19

For children

The Umbrella Mouse
by Anna Fargher
A beautifully written animal adventure set in World War II, with tragedy and heroism in equal measure.
read my review
Review date: 30.04.19
A Girl Called Justice
by Elly Griffiths
The first in a series of children's books by the writer of the best-selling Ruth Galloway novels, published in May 2019.
read my review
Review date: 07.04.19

On the radio

BBC Radio Suffolk

Catherine at BBC Radio SuffolkOn the first Tuesday of each month, at 2.30pm, I join Lesley Dolphin on the afternoon programme at BBC Radio Suffolk to discuss the book of the month which I have chosen for her feature called Lesley's Readers. Listeners are invited to send in comments by text or email, or by phoning the programme on 0800 141 2121.

Lesley's Readers are reading...

Death in the Dordogne
by Martin Walker
Listen to Catherine's recommendation

We have just read.....

My blog

Wednesday 8 May 2019

A day of two halves

Posters for the dayIt was a busy day on Tuesday 7 May, as I hosted two author visits in the same day.

And they couldn't have been more different, yet were equally inspiring, entertaining and informative.

At lunchtime in Woodbridge library, we gathered to meet the hugely popular, bestselling crime writer John Connolly. He spoke at breakneck speed, but we were hanging on every word. I, for one, was particularly intrigued by his insights on the writing process. He told us that he has no unfinished works - he believes that it is essential for creative people never to abandon a project but always to see it to its conclusion.