In delightful defiance of those predicting the demise of bookshops, one of London's finest independent book sellers, Daunt Books launched a festival of literary events at its flagship Marylebone flagship store. Over the last three years, the programme of author talks has grown into a firm highlight in the literary calendar.

2017's Spring Festival at Daunt Books promises to brighten up March with two days of events and discussions. Here's our top pick of what to book.

Thursday welcomes Thomas Rid, discussing his 2016 offering Rise of the Machines: The Lost History of Cybernetics – a timely look at the impact of technology and how progress over the past century has inevitably led to this point, where the future of our social security has been of our own making.

In keeping with the theme of artificial-intelligence-gone-mad (London is really having a moment right now) Gordon Corera will also feature, speaking about his 2015 book Intercept: The Secret History of Computers and Spies.

Elif Shafak discusses her 2016 hit Three Daughters of Eve, a touching narrative of the life and loves of a Turkish housewife, and award-winning Alex Clark, writer at The Guardian and The Observer and host of booklovers' favourite podcast,Vintage by Vintage books.

Also on Thursday's bill are Ysenda Maxtone Graham, resident writer at The Spectator Magazine and author of Terms and Conditions, a quietly hilarious look at life in all girls' boarding schools in mid-century Britain; and Allison Pearson, columnist and head interviewer at The Telegraph.

Friday's lineup is just as impressive: Antonia Fraser speaks on her memoir, Our Israeli Diary, about her journey to Israel on the 30th anniversary of its independence. And Peter Frankopan and Tim Marshall discuss their books, Silk Roads and Prisoners of Geography, offering insights into the significance of global borders through very different lenses.

George Saunders' award-winning first novel Lincoln in the Bardot is also in the spotlight, a poignant re-imagining of the death of the president's eleven-year-old son at the dawn of the American Civil War.

The talks will take place at Daunt's Marylebone shop, and tickets can be bought for individual events or for the whole festival. Click here to view the full programme.