Dozens of new speakers have been announced for the 2012 Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival.

TV finance guru Alvin Hall (pictured left) will explain how to get smarter with your money in these difficult economic times when he discusses his new book The Stock market Explained. He presents a beginner’s guide to stocks, shares and other investment choices.

Broadcaster and journalist Joan Bakewell is to make two appearnces. She will discuss her new novel She’s Leaving Home and will also make an appearance with Costa Biography Award winner Diana Athill.

A N Wilson also makes a double appearance, first to speak about his biography of Tolstoy, and second to speak about his new portrait of the 14th-century poet Dante.

Bloomsbury announced this week that Ben Macintyre’s new book Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies will be published at the end of March. Publication coincides with Macintyre’s (pictured right) appearance at the festival.

Other speakers announced this week include Adam Nicolson on The Gentry: Stories of the English; Jeremy Paxman on Empire: What Ruling the World Did to the British; Anna Funder on All That I Am; Jewell Parker Rhodes on Hurricane; Sandy Gall on War Against the Taliban; and Lindsey Hilsum on Sandstorm: the Inside Story of Gadaffi’s Regime.

There are lots of new events for children and young people including Simon and Alex Scarrow’s Big Roman Quiz; Chris Wormell’s Big Ugly Monsters; Andrew Weale on Nora: The Girl Who Ate and Ate and Ate; Clara Vulliamy and Emma Chichester on Introducing Lulu and Martha; a session on the Blue Peter Book Award; and Kristina Stephenson on Secrets and Stinky Socks.

Tamara Macfarlane and Gilbert Giggles present the Amazing Esme Circus Event and the festival also hosts Peter Rabbit’s Birthday Show.

Many more events have yet to be confirmed, and the programme will be updated regularly at oxfordliteraryfestival.org. There will also be regular updates on twitter.com/@oxfordlitfest and also at facebook.com/oxfordliteraryfestival

You can book now by clicking on the links from the events pages at oxfordliteraryfestival.org or by telephoning the box office on 0870 343 1001. ← See all stories