Breakfast TV presenter Naga Munchetty and the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet are among the names appearing in the North West London park across the two-day festival.
The 2025 line-up also includes The Line of Beauty author Alan Hollinghurst; a rare in person appearance by Buddha of Suburbia author Hanif Kureishi; local literary star Zadie Smith; and actress Tuppence Middleton, who openly chronicles her experiences with OCD in her memoir Scorpions.
The festival of lit talks, comedy and panel discussion takes place on August 30 and 31 this year. (Image: The Queens Park Book Festival) Taking place in tents in the picturesque park, the festival blends village fete charm with conversations from some of the most prestigious literary minds and performers today.
Topics range from fiction and memoir to current affairs, history and cookery – as well as family events.
Naga Munchetty draws on her personal experience battling adenomyosis, and exposes the truth about how women seeking help with their health have been repeatedly failed in It’s Probably Nothing.
Booker prizewinner Alan Hollinghurst discusses his recent novel Our Evenings, a portrait of modern England through the lens of one man’s acutely observed experience.
Following an accident that left him paralysed, Hanif Kureishi dictated an extraordinary series of dispatches to his family from his hospital bed, which formed his life-affirming memoir Shattered.
And Lyse Doucet takes the story of the Inter-Continental Kabul to weave a rich history of modern Afghanistan in her forthcoming book The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan.
Other stand-out events include acclaimed novelist Kit de Waal in conversation with journalist Alex Clark about her new novel The Best of Everything, a tender and uplifting story of family, love and kindness.
And Zadie Smith returns to the festival alongside poet and novelist Nick Laird to share their new children’s picture book, In the Wild.
The Queen’s Park Community Tent is free to all and dedicated to nurturing local talent and artists, and partnering with local charities.
Queen’s Park Voices features writers, poets and playwrights from the area followed by brilliant panels with the Brent Biennial.
On Sunday another local hero Simonetta Wenkert who runs Ida Italian restaurant in Kilburn Lane talks about her book Ida At My Table, which describes opening a neighbourhood dining spot without any prior experience.
The Queen’s Park Book Festival Comedy Night returns with a line-up featuring Eleanor Tiernan, Mike Gunn, Paul Thorne, and Paul Tonkinson.
Festival Director Thomas du Plessis said: “I am delighted that the festival is returning to its beloved home at Queen’s Park in 2025, and we are proud to present an incredible line-up of prestigious writers and local voices through our free Community Tent events.
“Queen’s Park has been home to authors, artists, poets and actors for generations. The 2025 programme continues our homage to the area’s deep literary history, bringing together established and emerging talent to celebrate the written word.
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning audiences to Queen’s Park in August.”
The Queen’s Park Book Festival runs August 30 and 31. Details at www.queensparkbookfestival.co.uk
