The Sydney Writers’ Festival is back for its 28th year. The theme for this year’s festival – which kicks off on May 19 – is “In This Together”. In that vein, more than 100 Australian authors and 40 international guests have assembled to share their insights on the industry and the growing need for urgent and empathetic conversation, particularly in the current global climate.

In a statement, artistic director Ann Mossop says the week-long program focuses on navigating important discourse, including the “future of artificial intelligence, feminism’s next battleground, monumental global power shifts [and] First Nations truth-telling”.

There’s a slew of local talent including all three Moriarty sisters (Liane, Jaclyn and Nicole), Helen Garner, Kate McClymont, and cookbook authors Natalie Paull and Kate Reid. International names taking to the stage include 2004 Booker Prize-winner Alan Hollinghurst (Our Evenings), acclaimed historian Ben Macintyre (The Siege), Irish bestsellers Marian Keyes and Colm Tóibín, as well as American author Rumaan Alam (Entitlement).

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Tickets are on sale now with hotly anticipated events – like a tour of James Fairfax’s art collection; a talk from internet darling Lucinda Price (aka Froomes) on beauty standards; and the festival favourite Great Debate, where Annabel Crabb and David Marr and their teams of hilarious debaters square off on the topic of Oscar Wilde’s adage that “true friends stab you in the front” – sure to sell out fast.

Free events include the Curiosity Lecture series, a string of 11 talks held on May 22 & 23, which delve into everything from Miles Franklin’s “lost years” to the future of AI, Humour Me with Richard Glover and a special literary edition of the Good Weekend quiz.

There are more than 200 events to choose from, so to help narrow it down we asked our team what events they’re most excited to check out.

Sayaka Murata: Vanishing World

Convenience Store Woman is one of the best books I read last year (and you can bash it out in a few hours, which we love). It’s unexpectedly hilarious, deeply awkward, hyper-specific, and has this weird and poignant undercurrent of sadness. When I finished it, I rushed to buy its equally offbeat follow-up, Earthlings. I’m really excited to hear her in conversation, talking about her latest novel Vanishing World. If she’s anything like her books, it should be an insightful – and randomly very funny – evening. – Callum McDermott, Hot List editor

Colm Tóibín: From Brooklyn to Long Island

I first read Brooklyn when I was 21 and living alone in France. I was what the French would call très homesick, and the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman leaving her family behind in Ireland to move to America, cut me right to my core. Many a tear and croissant crumb landed on my much-thumbed copy of Colm Tóibín’s novel. Its much-awaited sequel Long Island, which picks up the story 20 years after the events of Brooklyn, was released last year to much acclaim. He’s chatting to Kate Evans about both books. I can’t wait. – Lucy Bell Bird, national assistant editor

Matthew Walker: Why We Sleep

I’ve recommended this book more than any other. Why? Because it truly changed my life after I disrespected the sanctity of sleep for years. Walker’s charismatic approach to the subject showed me that not only is sleep one of the body’s most fascinating processes, it’s arguably the most important. It’s no wonder the dashing British neuroscientist has gone on to become a cult wellness figure. I can’t wait to go to church. – Dan Cunningham, acting features editor (food and drink)

Alan Hollinghurst: Our Evenings

I’ve seen this book in every bookstore I’ve been to in the past few months (and I’ve been to a lot). Every time I look at it and think, ‘I want to read this so much.’ And then: ‘No, Rashmi, you have a stack of books that you haven’t read at home. Please remember them fondly’, so I exercise my meagre self-restraint and leave it on the shelf. But I’d love to listen to Alan Hollinghurst talk about self-exploration: one, because it sounds fascinating; and two, because then I’m definitely allowed to buy it. – Rashmi Mohotti, social media coordinator

Linda Jaivin on the Cultural Revolution in China

My fixation on Chinese history began when I was in high school, nose-deep in the HSC modern history syllabus. I am fascinated by ideology and its connection to forming a cultural consciousness. I think Jaivin is a powerhouse academic and I am super excited to read her book Bombard the Headquarters!: China’s Cultural Revolution when it comes out in June. There’ll also be advanced copies available at the festival, so I hope to snag one. – Bineeta Saha, editorial intern

Are You Game Show

Guardian Australia is hosting a big-stakes contest. A literary game show. And the prize is big: “bragging rights”. As a mega fan of the fun place where silliness meets heavy competition – hello, Would I Lie To You? – this live battle is an unmissable session for me. Hosted by the masthead’s culture editor Steph Harmon, the likes of multi-talented creative Froomes, award-winning Bundjalung/Kullilli journo Daniel Browning and author Rick Morton will be flexing their literary know-how. It’s free, too. – Grace MacKenzie, Sydney food and drink editor

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