Day 8

This evening I spoke to someone who summed up her day at the Book Festival thus: “I feel like my life is sparkling”.

Here are my favourite discoveries today.

It has been a day for enthusiastic audiences at the Book Festival. Cheering, laughing, heckling, whooping, singing – and, for Michael Morpurgo, a standing ovation from a huge audience moved by his song, by his writing, and by his life.

Today's Writers' Conference on style versus content could not resist the hot literary topic of the moment: 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. Some objected to its involvement in the conference – and some objected fiercely – but there were voices of support. A book seller from Edinburgh mentioned that the book sells huge quantities in her shop, but those who buy it often come back later for more material to read. It has introduced the world of books to those who don't normally read. It is, as she said, an “entry drug into literature”

Most of us know that Danny Wallace started a country in his flat. But did you know that he then moved out of his flat and failed to tell the next occupant she's living in her own country? When he first opened his flat as a country, he invited local press to write about it. Then he framed the article and put it on top of a tall shelf, so that when the new owner is changing a light bulb she'll be met with the amazing surprise that she is living in an independent state.

There's a big board in the children's bookshop here at the Book Festival called “Hopes of a Nation”. Young visitors to the bookshop can write up their own hopes for the future.

Here are some of the contributions:

I wish people would be more respectful of people's opinions and views.

- Jessica (aged 14)

I hope my cardigan is found.

- Brodie (aged 3)

I hope Scotland has lots of rain so I can splash in puddles.

- Sophie (aged 6)

When I am older I hope there will be no more poor people.

- Poppy (aged 5)

I would like to be a doctor fairy princess. And live in Germany.

- Maya (aged 4 ½)

Day 7 and a half

Time for another recommendations package, do you think? Yes? Yes, I do too.

This evening (Saturday 18th)

Danny Wallace

He seems to go out of his way to do unique things and talk about those unique things in a way that makes us laugh out loud. Tonight at 8.30PM in the ScottishPower Studio Theatre he'll be sharing his debut fiction, 'Charlotte Street', a story of a man fixated on the photographs inside a discarded disposable camera.

Junot Díaz & Nathan Englander

I've already seen both these very talented humans in action, and I can promise that they are extraordinarily engaging and likeable. Tonight at 7PM in the RBS Corner Theatre they'll be talking about their work. See you there!

Tomorrow (Sunday 19th)

Ali Smith

Her keynote speech at the Writers' Conference today provoked whoops of appreciation and howls of laughter from the audience. Need I say more? Sunday will see her in the RBS Main Theatre at 11.30AM. Be there or face the consequences.

Don Paterson

A much-beloved Scottish poet whose work never fails to produce both thought and emotion in its readers. See him in the ScottishPower Studio Theatre at 7PM this Sunday.

The day after tomorrow (Monday 20th)

Roald Dahl Funny Prize Event

This is a special one. It's for little 'uns – and big 'uns – and will feature chat about comedy, and why comedy can be particularly tricky. The participants are Liz Pichon (left), Rose Impey, and Philip Ardagh, who has recently been provoking (embarrassingly loud) guffaws on Twitter, so we'll see you in the RBS Corner Theatre at 5PM on Monday if you like a laugh. And who doesn't like a laugh?

Joyce Carol Oates

I hesitate to mention this event here, because it's selling so fast it might get a nosebleed, but at time of writing there are still tickets available – so grab them now! Joyce Carol Oates is, of course, one of the world's most respected novelists. Her event is on Monday at 11.30AM in the RBS Main Theatre.