Sam Leith & Lucy Mangan | Growing Up with Books

Join Sam Leith (author of The Haunted Wood: A History of Childhood Reading) and Lucy Mangan (author of Bookish) for an insightful discussion on the power of childhood reading and its lasting impact on our lives. Both writers explore how stories written for children offer a window into our deepest hopes, fears, and dreams, shaping who we are and staying with us long after we grow up.

Lucy Mangan takes us on a journey from her childhood love of books to her adult relationship with literature, examining how the stories we read at pivotal moments in life help us navigate the complex emotions of growing up. In Bookish, she reflects on the books that accompanied her through key life stages: falling in love, facing grief, becoming a mother, and learning to let go of the joy of re-reading in favour of collecting new books.

Meanwhile, Sam Leith offers a fascinating exploration of the classic stories that have shaped generations, from Aesop’s Fables to modern authors like Malorie Blackman. The Haunted Wood uncovers the magic and timelessness of children’s literature, showing how these stories remain a cherished part of our past, constantly reminding us of who we were and who we might become.

This conversation will reveal how the books we loved as children continue to offer us wisdom, solace, and a sense of belonging throughout our lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two of Britain’s leading literary voices as they delve into the lasting power of the stories we read as children.

 In conversation with Alex Clark