by Gudrun Bowers | 8, Aug 2017
Bestselling novelist Robyn Young talks to author & historian, David Boyle, about her new novel, Sons of the Blood, the first in a dazzling new epic series encompassing the Wars of the Roses, the mystery of the Princes in the Tower, the voyages of Christopher Columbus and the intrigues of the Medici Court.
A very special evening bringing a thrilling period of history alive in the atmospheric medieval setting of Bramber Church!
Robyn Young’s first novel, Brethren, went straight into the Sunday Times top ten, where it remained for five weeks, becoming the bestselling hardback debut of 2006. Her second novel, Crusade, reached number two in the charts and a third bestseller, Requiem, completed the trilogy.
In 2007 she was named one of Waterstones’ twenty-five “authors of the future”. In 2010, the Brethren Trilogy was followed by the highly acclaimed, bestselling Insurrection Trilogy (Insurrection, Renegade & Kingdom), telling the story of Robert Bruce and his struggle against King Edward of England during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
Her latest series, New World Rising, follows young Jack Wynter, from the bloody turmoil of the Wars of the Roses through the chaos and splendour of Renaissance Europe.
Robyn has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Sussex and lives and writes in Brighton.
Ticket price includes a paperback copy of ‘Sons of the Blood’ and free refreshments.
by Gudrun Bowers | 8, Aug 2017
SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION SIGNING! 5 days ahead of official publication date!
We are thrilled that Julia has agreed to come for another signing, this time to celebrate the release of her brilliant new picture book, ‘The Ugly Five’, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. A great chance to meet Julia, and buy a personally signed and dedicated copy of this funny, heart-warming story about Africa’s ugliest animals, inspired by Julia’s experiences on safari in the African Savannah! A new Julia/Axel picture book is always a treat and this joyous story is another instant classic from the dynamic duo!
The signing will take place in the beautiful back garden of the bookshop, with lots of space to relax as you wait for Julia to sign your book, and shelter in case of rain. As always, there will be plenty of entertainment on offer for those waiting, including sing-alongs with Julia’s husband Malcolm on his guitar, and African animal-themed activities and refreshments for your little ones. It’s sure to be a day to remember!
Julia will be signing from 2.30 pm on Saturday afternoon. This is a free event, no need to book, although for queue management we will issue tickets for timed signing slots at the time of book purchase. ‘Ugly Five’ books will be available for purchase on the day from 9.30 am, it is also possible to pre-order and pay for your book in advance.
by Gudrun Bowers | 28, Jun 2017
by Gudrun Bowers | 28, Jun 2017
Tom Hazard may look like an ordinary 41 year old History teacher, but he has a dangerous secret. Owing to a rare genetic condition, he is old. Over 400 years old. From Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, to sailing the South Seas with Captain Cook and sipping cocktails with F Scott Fitzgerald, he has lived a long but lonely and rootless existence.
With the help of millennium-year-old Heinrich from the Albatross society, Tom and the other ‘Albas’ change their identity every few years to avoid attracting suspicion from the regular human ‘Mayflies’. In return for this financial and logistical support they must abide by the society’s doctrine; not to lay down roots, and not to risk detection by falling in love.
As Tom struggles to escape the many pasts which constantly threatens to engulf his fragile grip on the present, he begins to question the rules he has lived by for so long…
Wow! Matt Haig has done it again! Since his last novel for adults, ‘The Humans’, Matt Haig has written a top-ten non-fiction bestseller (‘Reasons to Stay Alive’), a YA sci-fi novel (‘Echo Boy’) and two best-selling children’s books….but he has not lost his touch for poignant thoughtful commentary and sophisticated plotting!
‘How to Stop Time’ is an absolutely spell-binding, century-hopping novel, full of wise insight into the human condition and brimful with compassion and warmth. Absorbing, compelling, and moving, a perfect page-turner which I gulped down in just a few days and immediately wanted to read again!
by Gudrun Bowers | 28, Jun 2017
Last year we were very fortunate to host Carol Drinkwater, the charming former actress and author of a series of books about her olive farm in France when she was launching a debut novel, The Forgotten Summer, an atmospheric family drama set on a Provence vineyard estate. Now we have her keenly awaited second novel, one that she was very excited about when we met her. Set in present day France where a mother drawn to Paris to search for her missing daughter finds herself caught up in a terrorist attack which devastates Paris, this intriguing story draws on the experience of France both now and in the immediate post war era. A page-turning summer read.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Jun 2017
We are delighted to warmly welcome Carol Drinkwater back to Steyning, for an intimate event in the artistic ambience of the Gluck Studio at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th July.
Carol is an actress and writer who starred in the classic BBC series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, and who is also celebrated for her bestselling series of memoirs about her life on an olive farm in Provence. Carol will be introducing her gripping, powerful new novel ‘The Lost Girl’. Described as ‘a heart-rending story of love and loss’, the novel explores the darker side of Paris, as photographer Kurtiz gets caught up in a devastating terrorist attack whilst searching for her missing daughter. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, a sympathetic stranger offers a helping hand, and the possibility of resolution.
Carol went down a storm when she appeared at one of our Sussex Produce Cafe author suppers last September to discuss her previous novel ‘The Forgotten Summer’, so do book early for this one to avoid disappointment!
Ticket price of £14 includes a copy of ‘The Lost Girl’, drinks and delicious hand-made canapes.
The Lost Girl
by Gudrun Bowers | 27, May 2017
In the 75 years since Eric Ravilious’s untimely death in the Second World War, he has become one of the most popular and important artists of the twentieth century. His association with Edward Bawden is well known, but his wider circle included artists, friends and lovers who influenced and supported each other in many different ways. Mainly brought together by Paul Nash’s teaching at the Royal College of Art, the group included his wife Tirzah Garwood, Peggy Angus, Enid Marx, Helen Binyon and others. Andy Friend’s fascinating and ambitious group biography traces the links and influences between them, giving more prominence to the women in the group than has perhaps been done before, and illuminates the shared experiences that gave rise to some of the finest art and design of the period. Plentifully illustrated, this book is as beautiful as it is enthralling.
by Gudrun Bowers | 26, May 2017
We are very lucky and super-excited that Matt Haig will be stopping by Steyning to talk about his wonderful new novel How to Stop Time.
Matt Haig is an incredibly talented and prolific writer who has turned his hand to award-winning adult fiction, children’s and YA novels, and non-fiction. His non-fiction book Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one Sunday Times bestseller and was in the UK top 10 for 46 weeks, and his heart-warming children’s novel ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ was a huge hit and is currently being adapted into a film by Studio Canal. His other adult novels include the hilarious, inventive The Humans, and the unusual vampire novel The Radleys, and his many works for children include Steyning Bookshop favourite To be a Cat.
How to Stop Time is Matt’s fifth work of adult fiction. It is the romantic, bitter-sweet, century-hopping tale of an unassuming history teacher, Tom Hazard, who, owing to an unusual genetic condition, is over 400 years old. From Elizabethan England to Jazz Age Paris, from New York to the South Seas, Tom has seen a lot, and now craves an ordinary life. He is trying to tame the past that is fast catching up with him, but the only thing he mustn’t do is fall in love……
The film rights to How to Stop Time have already been snapped up by Studio Canal, with Benedict Cumberbatch set to take the title role – so grab your chance to meet Matt before he is whisked off to the Cannes festival high life!
Matt will appear at the beautiful Gluck Studios, an intimate space seating just 50, so do book early for this absolute gem of an opportunity! Ticket price of £13 INCLUDES a fresh-off-the-press hardback copy of How to Stop Time, so it’s a complete bargain!
by Gudrun Bowers | 26, May 2017
by Gudrun Bowers | 26, May 2017
