The Folkestone Book Festival draws to a close this weekend, but that doesn’t mean it is winding down. There is still lots on offer for literary lovers of all ages and interests, and we have put together a guide to some of the highlights.

Friday, November 22

1pm: Passionate About Trains - Quarterhouse (tickets £7.50)

Britain’s foremost railway historian, Christian Wolmar, tells the story of the Trans Siberian Express, the longest railway line in the world and one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the 19th century.

7pm: Folkestone Shines - Quarterhouse (free)

Writers and performers have the opportunity to shine at this free open mic event. Read a poem or short story, sing a song or dance.

Whatever you do in the three minutes allocated is up to you. It will be hosted by children’s performer, writer and poet Joseph Coelho, star of CBBC’s Rhyme Rocket.

Saturday, November 23
11am: From Promising Soldier to Rebel - Quarterhouse (tickets £7.50)

Joe Glenton will talk about his experiences in Afghanistan, and what turned him from a passionate young soldier into a staunch campaigner against war.

Noon: Sandgate - Folkestone Library (tickets £6.50)

Bob Preedy will talk about his new work Sandgate Since the Swinging Sixties, a history of the village written to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sandgate Society.

2.30pm: Life in an Orchestra - Quarterhouse (tickets £7.50)

Gareth Davies, principal flautist with the London Symphony Orchestra, will relate stories about life on tour and anecdotes from the LSO’s rich history, such as when the musicians narrowly missed being on the Titanic in 1912.

4pm: Extremes: Life, Death and the Limits of the Human Body - Quarterhouse (tickets £8.50)

Space medicine expert and TV presenter Doctor Kevin Fong, best known for his Channel 4 series Extreme A&E, will talk about his career, from working with NASA to being part of an emergency response team fighting to save the lives of trauma victims in central London.

6pm: Big Brother - Quarterhouse (tickets £9.50)

Lionel Shriver, the award-winning author of We Need to Talk About Kevin, will be talking about her new book Big Brother.

Sunday, November 24

11am: Reinvention - Georges House Gallery (tickets £15)

Learn how to embroider lines of poetry onto your clothing with textile artist Di Burns. Just bring an item of clothing and inspiration – all other materials provided.

Noon: Soterion Mission - Folkestone Library (tickets £7.50)

Children’s author Stewart Ross will talk about his new novel, Soterion Mission, about living in a world without adults. This talk is suitable for young readers aged 12 and over.

3.30pm: What Should We Tell Our Daughters? - Quarterhouse (tickets £8.50)

Writer, journalist and campaigner Melissa Benn, daughter of politician Tony Benn, presents her manifesto for womanhood, and the perils of parenting girls.

5pm: Life with Dr Who - Quarterhouse (tickets £7.50)

On the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, lifelong fan Neil Perryman tells about his insane quest to make his wife watch every episode of Doctor Who from the beginning.

6.30pm: Jim Bob - Quarterhouse (tickets £7.50)

Jim Bob, author and former Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine singer, answers questions about his life and work and reads from his second novel Driving Jarvis Ham.

Folkestone Book Festival runs until Sunday, November 24. Visit www.folkestone bookfest.com or call 01303 858500.