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Bear Grylls

My Life in Books – Hay Festival Exclusive

Hay Festival 2026, 

Bear Grylls is one of the most recognised faces of survival and outdoor adventure in the world. His adrenalin-filled life reads like an action thriller – three years with 21 SAS, a life-changing parachute accident, climbing Mount Everest – all by the age of 23. His next chapter saw him become a world-renowned TV presenter, leading the likes of Julia Roberts and President Obama on epic survival adventures. He’s somehow found time to write over 100 books, including two bestsellers, and spends part of the year on a secluded, off-grid island in Wales. In this thoughtful session, Grylls reveals the books that hold a special place in his heart and have helped him through the ups and downs of his incredible life.