Every year at Hay, certain events generate a special buzz. They may feature controversial authors, long-awaited new books, or writers who have just arrived on the scene. Here are 10 tips for talking points this year.

The Accidental »
Ali Smith's first novel since Hotel World, which brought her wide acclaim.

The Closed Circle »
Jonathan Coe's eagerly awaited sequel to The Rotters' Club.

Cloud Atlas »
David Mitchell's complex novel – one of the biggest literary hits of the year.

How We Are Hungry »
Dave Eggers' collection of virtuoso short stories.

The Lemon Table »
Julian Barnes' mordant short stories about growing older.

Never Let Me Go »
Kazuo Ishiguro's beautifully observed but disturbing new novel.

Blink »
Malcolm Gladwell advises us to trust our intuition.

Chernobyl Strawberries »
Vesna Goldsworthy's memoir of her native Yugoslavia, written in exile in Britain.

Fear: A Cultural History »
Joanna Bourke argues that our fears are not logical, but cultural – and vulnerable to manipulation.

The World Is Flat »
Thomas Friedman makes a compelling case for globalisation.