Edinburgh Book Festival 2019: The Skinny's Highlights

DeRay Mckesson

Festival Guest Selector DeRay Mckesson will be discussing his book On The Other Side of Freedom, his work within the Black Lives Matter movement, and his continued activism for a more equal world. An absolute must-see, but if you can't make this one, there's plenty of opportunities in his strand of events with Jeanne Marie Laskas, Ibram X Kendi, Casey Gerald, Fatima Bhutto and Regina Porter. 11 Aug, 5pm, New York Times Main Theatre, Charlotte Square Gardens, £10-12

Sofie Hagen

Sofie Hagen will talk about her new book Happy Fat, where she tackles the (false!) idea that being fat is wrong in a world that's obsessed with people taking up as little space as possible with wit and humour. It's also a chance to see her away from her Fringe show, The Bumswing. 17 Aug, 3.15pm, New York Times Main Theatre, Charlotte Square Gardens, pay what you want (£0-25)

Charly Cox, Theresa Lola & Tayi Tibble

We like poetry. You like poetry. So the chance to see three excellent new talents in poetry in one go seems too good to pass up. Charly Cox, Theresa Lola and Tayi Tibble will be joining forces to share the wonder of their debuts at this year's Book Festival, and it's going to be brill. 17 Aug, 4pm, Spiegeltent, Charlotte Square Gardens, pay what you want (£0-25)

Raymond Antrobus & Joe Dunthorn

Raymond Antrobus has basically been sweeping the award circuit with his debut The Perseverance, and he'll be teaming up with Joe Dunthorne who has made the move from novels to poetry in O Positive. Two fantastic collections and authors, both brilliant performers, it's a pairing not to miss. 18 Aug, 8.30pm, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre, Charlotte Square Gardens, £6-8

Arundhati Roy with Nicola Sturgeon

Each year Scotland's First Minister sits down with an author she adores; each year it marks one of the most interesting events at the festival. This time, Arundhati Roy will be discussing her new book of essays, her Booker-winning debut The God of Small Things, and career to date; this is sure to be a special event. 19 Aug, 6.45pm, New York Times Main Theatre, Charlotte Square Gardens, £10-12

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Find more great events at Edinburgh Book Festival 2019 with our guide to the Unbound programme