by Gudrun Bowers | 1, Apr 2020
A familiar face on our TV screens, Sally received great acclaim for her debut novel, The Sealwoman’s Gift, in 2018. Now we are pleased to introduce her second novel, The Ninth Child, a spellbinding tale which blends fact with fiction, history with folklore, and science with superstition, as it draws together the story of 17th Century minister Robert Kirke and Sally’s own great-grandmother. Set on the banks of Loch Katrine, where a huge engineering project is underway to deliver clean water to disease-ridden Victorian Glasgow and the hills echo with explosive blasts, The Ninth Child follows Isabel Aird, coming to terms with childlessness and attempting to start a new life with her engineer husband in this bleak but striking environment. When Isabel encounters a mysterious stranger who watches her every move, the foundations of her life grow increasingly less sure. Set in a pivotal era when engineering innovation flourished but women’s role was still muted, The Ninth Child blends folklore with historical realism in a masterly narrative. ‘An extraordinarily immersive read’ Guardian ‘Richly imagined and energetically told’ Sunday Times
by Gudrun Bowers | 17, Feb 2020
A fun weekday morning session for pre-schoolers with popular author / illustrator Sam Lloyd, on Tuesday 24th March at 11.30am.
Sam’s event will be based around her new picture book Put Your Botty on the Potty, a brilliant, funny and fresh take on the potty training book! There will be stories, singing, colouring and sticking, and children will be able to create their own ‘Moo Monster’…and put him on the potty!
Sam Lloyd is hugely talented at creating laugh-out-loud funny books for children. Her titles include the Whoops-A-Daisy-World series and Mr Pusskins, which was the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, and the Booktrust Early Years Award for Best Pre-School Book. Sam’s novelty books include Calm Down, Boris, Hello Dudley, What’s In Your Tummy Mummy, Grumpy
Gertie and Farty Fred.
by Gudrun Bowers | 17, Feb 2020
On Saturday 14th March at 11 am, we have a lovely event for younger children with up-and-coming illustrator Alice McKinley. Alice will read her book ‘Nine Lives Newton’ and lead a fun draw-along session.
Alice’s charmingly funny picture book debut ‘Nine Lives Newton’ is released by Simon & Schuster Children’s books in March.
Featuring wonderfully exuberant illustrations, the book tells the story of Newton, the dog who thinks he has nine lives and infinite luck. And if Newton has nine lives, then that means he can do all his favourite things but be MUCH more daring….but what if Newton’s got it all wrong and he’s not quite as invincible as he thinks he is?
Tickets are just £3 for children (accompanying adults are free) and the ticket price is redeemable against purchase of ‘Nine Lives Newton’.
Age guide 4-9 years.
by Gudrun Bowers | 13, Feb 2020
Half term kids event. Tuesday 18th February at 2.30pm.
Join us for environmentally-themed stories & crafts with author and designer Zoe Tucker.
Zoe’s picture book ‘Greta and the Giants’ tells the story of Greta Thunberg’s environmental mission, re-imagining Greta as a forest child struggling against giants who are chopping down all the trees.
Zoe will read stories and help children get busy making an environmentally-themed crafty project!
Perfect for ages 4-8.
Ticket price £3 redeemable against a book.
Free refreshments provided.
by Gudrun Bowers | 6, Jan 2020
Tuesday 11th February 7.30pm at the Gluck Studio.
We are really excited to have finally bagged a visit from Brian Bilston, the hilarious poet and novelist, frequently described as the ‘Accidental Poet Laureate of Twitter’. Brian’s novel ‘Diary of a Somebody’ is just out in paperback and has been short-listed for the Costa Book Award, First Novel Category.
‘Diary of a Somebody’ is the achingly funny story of a year in the life of .. ‘Brian Bilston’. It’s January 1st and Brian Bilston’s life needs to change. His ex-wife has taken up with a new man, a motivational speaker and marketing guru to boot; he seems to constantly disappoint his long-suffering son; and at work he is drowning in a sea of spreadsheets and management jargon. Brian’s resolution is to write a poem every day; poetry will be his salvation. But there is an obstacle to his happiness in the form of Toby Salt, his arch nemesis in the Poetry Group and rival suitor to Liz, Brian’s new poetic inspiration. When Toby goes missing, Brian is the number one suspect… Part tender love story, part murder mystery, part coruscating description of a wasted life, and interspersed with some of the funniest poems about the mundane and the profound, Diary of a Somebody is a unique, warm, and hilarious novel.
Brian Bilston has been dubbed ‘the Banksy of Poetry’ – he has kept his identity secret and stumbled into poetry via composing short poems on Twitter, eventually racking up more than 50,000 followers. His first volume of poetry ‘You Took the Last Bus Home’ was released in 2017, and ‘Diary of a Somebody’ came out in 2019. His powerful poem ‘Refugees’ has also been released as a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book. His clever, wry poems can take the shape of Christmas trees or Venn diagrams, he can poke fun at grammar pedants, and take the piss out of Jeremy Clarkson, but also tap into profound depths.
Tickets are £12 to include a paperback copy of ‘Diary of a Somebody’, plus wine & nibbles. Brian’s other books will also be on sale.
Pop into the shop, give us a ring on 01903 812062 , or book online – we think this will be a popular one so buy soon!
Book online here
‘Glorious. I will be astonished if I read a more original, more inventive or funnier novel this year.’ – Adam Kay, author of This Is Going to Hurt
