Oxfam Bookfest 2009

Oxfam loves books. And to prove it, we launched our very first book festival last year. Oxfam Bookfest burst onto the book scene with a bang. Hundreds of shops all over the country organised more than 350 activities and events in July. Read about them on our blog, Talking Books. We had a fantastic response from the public, increasing donations and sales, the profits of which all go to our work fighting poverty. Scroll down to read more about last year’s Bookfest, or click to see last year's programmes for the North, East, West, South East, and South West.

We had so much fun, we'll be back this year. Note these dates in your diary:

Bookfest calendar 2010

National Books Volunteering Drive:	8th – 22nd March 2010
National Donation Drive:	22nd May – 12th June 2010
Hay Festival:	27 May - 6th June 2010
Bookfest:	3rd July - 17th July 2010

Meet the author

Loads of authors popped into their local Oxfam shop to join in the fun. Jonathan Coe, William Sutcliffe, Ali Smith, and Kamila Shamsie created window displays in Oxfam Bloomsbury. Bill Nighy, Joanna Trollope, and Monica Ali shelved and priced books at the Marylebone High Street shop in London. Marti Leimbach went behind the scenes in Reading, and Philip Pullman served customers at the till in Oxford. Jeffrey Archer even helped Oxfam Bexleyheath publish a book of war memories.

Fabulous fun stuff for children

There were storytellers galore, readings and activity days. Plus face-painting, children’s book exchanges, quizzes, games and competitions for all ages. Not to mention Roald Dahl, Harry Potter and Dr Who events too!

Poets' corner

Poetry readings took place nationally. At the Leeds, Stafford, or Northampton Oxfam shops, for starters. Carol Ann Duffy penned a poem for us and gave us a reading in Didsbury, and made a night of it at a one-off reading in an Edinburgh jazz club.

Talks

We listened and learned. Some took the opportunity to ask lots of questions about something close to their hearts: Others stretch their minds not their wallets, in Troon. Military History in Kingston; Science Fiction, in Chester; William Golding by his daughter, Judy Carver, in Bristol – plus many more.

Ox-Tales

A glittering array of the UK’s top writers read from their own stories, specially commissioned for Oxfam, in London, Edinburgh and Oxford. Featuring Mark Haddon, Michel Faber, and Joanna Trollope, among almost 40 others.