After meeting many of our visiting authors at the Opening Party last night, I had an early start this morning for Hamish McRae’s Business Breakfast at the OGH. Hamish talked about his book, What Works: Success in Stressful Times, and gave examples of some of the economic success stories he has encountered in his travels around the world. One he didn’t focus on, but which I can’t wait to read about, concerns the slums of Mumbai, which function as a highly effective micro-economy. The world economy is rebalancing, and the message is that this is something we should embrace if we’re to survive and prosper. I had the extra honour of interviewing Hamish after his talk, so (shameless plug alert) if you fly Blue Islands look out for ‘At the Sharp End’ in the October/November issue of Blue Skies.

[caption id="attachment_233" align="alignleft" width="640"] The OGH - we all needed caffeine as it was very early © Carl Symes[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_234" align="alignleft" width="640"] Mourant Ozannes kindly sponsored this event © Carl Symes[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_235" align="alignleft" width="640"] Hamish McRae © Carl Symes[/caption]

After doing some actual work I went along to the Poetry Café (upstairs in Costa, the Arcade) to hear Owen Morgan read from his first novel, Tales of the Black Book. Owen picked up some copies of his book from the printer this morning so you can find them in The Press Book Shop, Lexicon, Candie Museum and Tourist Information.

Just back from the Dickens Dinner, where Lucinda Dickens-Hawksley gave a fascinating talk about her great-great-great grandfather, who was actually there in person! I think everyone left with the intention to rediscover the novels of Charles Dickens, who not only achieved great literary success but fought to change the society in which he lived. And it certainly needed to change. Lucinda will be talking at 2pm tomorrow at Barclays Hub, don't miss it if you weren't at the OGH this evening. It was a great do and I was lucky enough to be sitting next to Chuma Nwokolo, who is a really interesting (not to mention charismatic) guy. I’ll be at Marina Lewycka’s workshop tomorrow so unfortunately will miss his talk at 11am at the Barclays Hub. Chuma read a very funny story at the Opening Party so you’re in for a real treat if you’re going along. If you don’t have a ticket, do go and buy one from the Artsmobile in the morning, you won’t regret it!

Tickets have been selling very well today so thanks to everyone who has supported the LitFest so far. Please do try to fit in as many events as you can, it’s a special occasion for our island.

Here are some pictures of the Education Programme which has been going on all week. Thanks to Carl Symes for these.

[caption id="attachment_131" align="alignnone" width="640"] The Artsmobile[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_132" align="alignnone" width="640"] Patrick from The Reader Organisation[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_134" align="alignnone" width="640"] Patrick and Anna from TRO[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_135" align="alignnone" width="640"] Young Guernsey Readers[/caption]

Caroline