by Gudrun Bowers | 6, Feb 2019
We are thrilled to present a double whammy author event for March, a real treat for thriller and crime fans!
On Tuesday March 26th, 7.30pm at the lovely Gluck Studio, best-selling writers William Shaw and Nuala Ellwood will discuss their latest novels.
William Shaw is a firm favourite with local readers now, having interviewed Peter May at our author supper last year, and appeared at our crime-writers night during the Steyning Festival.
Hailed by fellow writer Val McDermid as “Taut, terrifying and timely”, William’s latest novel Salt Lane is the first in a new series, introducing DS Alexandra Cupidi, reluctantly booted out of the London Met to the bleak salt marsh landscapes of Southern Kent. Faced with the murder of a migrant labourer, she must gain the suspicious locals’ trust if she is to uncover the dark conspiracy behind the murder. Shaw’s trademark flair for lively characterisation and sharp, sensitive, social commentary makes this a gripping and intelligent read, and its atmospheric setting takes a central role. See here for William’s YouTube video filmed in Dungeness (with kind words about us!)
William Shaw will be in conversation with up-and-coming thriller writer Nuala Ellwood about her second novel, Day of the Accident , a dark, twisty and multi-layered psychological thriller which is already gathering ecstatic reviews. Nuala’s first novel My Sister’s Bones, also published by Penguin, saw her being featured as one of The Observer’s ‘New Faces of Fiction 2017’. Day of the Accident follows wife and mother Maggie, who awakes from a coma after her car plunges into a river to be informed that her daughter is dead, drowned during the accident, and her husband, Sean, has disappeared. But she can’t shake the feeling that somewhere, somehow, her daughter is alive and that there is more to the accident than meets the eye.
We can’t wait to hear more!
The event price of £10 includes a paperback book by one of the writers – how will you choose? Plus wine and nibbles.
Advance booking is advised.
by Gudrun Bowers | 31, Jan 2019
Half term dragging on? Raining? Want some off-screen time? Bring your little people along to our February half term kids event!
We don’t have an author this time, but will have entertaining stories, crafts, and things to nibble with an Under-the-Sea theme.
If you come dressed for the theme you’ll get a special prize!
£4 per child.
Age Guide – your little one needs to be able to use scissors and sit still, and not too old for picture books, so .. 4-8 years?
Book in advance by calling the bookshop on 01903 812062. Let us know of any dietary requirements eg dairy / gluten free as we will be serving biscuits/ cakes.
2.30pm on Thursday 21st February.
by Gudrun Bowers | 30, Jan 2019
What better way to celebrate World Book Day than with the nation’s favourite children’s author, Julia Donaldson?
Julia’s new book ‘The Go Away Bird’ is released on …Thursday March 7th, which just happens to be World Book Day.
Julia will be at the shop for an after-school book signing, with 3 signing sessions starting at 4pm. There is no charge, but you MUST book a place in advance by paying for at least 1 book, and stating your timing of choice: 4pm, 4.30pm, or 5pm. You can book by calling the bookshop on 01903 812062.
‘The Go Away Bird’ is a funny and charming story about the power of friendship, inspired by the birds Julia encountered during her safari trip to Kenya. It marks an exciting new creative partnership for Julia, as the stunning illustrations are provided by the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner (already an acclaimed name in illustration for her wonderful books ‘Augustus and his Smile’, ‘Solomon Crocodile’, ‘Ernest’, ‘Smelly Louie’)
‘The Go Away Bird’ will be available in hardback for £11.99, and we will have all Julia’s other books on sale and available for signing, too.
by Gudrun Bowers | 30, Jan 2019
Twelve-year-old Pet lives with her parents and older sister Mags, in a lighthouse on the South-East coast of England. It is autumn 1939 and when war breaks out, Pet’s happy family life begins to shiver and fracture. There are acts of sabotage in the local village and Pet’s German mother is accused of spying and interned as a dangerous enemy alien. An act of heroism leaves the girls alone and threatened with evacuation, protected only by the Sisters of Stone, an ancient stone circle with its own legends…This is a pacy, exciting and atmospheric story for 9-13 year olds which has an unusual take on the Second World War.
by Gudrun Bowers | 16, Jan 2019
Join us on Tuesday 5th February for our first event of 2019, when we welcome Sussex based writer Matt Whyman, who’ll be sharing insights from his wonderful book ‘The Unexpected Genius of Pigs’.
Blending research from an expert in pig psychology, and first-hand observations from vets and farmers with his own recollections from his days as an amateur pig-keeper, Matt’s book is an absolutely charming and illuminating study of our unfairly-maligned porcine friends. We look forward to hearing more ‘behind the scenes’ stories from Matt in person!
Perfect for fans of ‘The Secret Lives of Cows’.
A copy of “The Unexpected Genius of Pigs” is included in the ticket price of £10 for the event.
Venue: TBC – Either The Gluck Studio or The Steyning Bookshop.
Matt Whyman has written widely for all ages across a range of subjects in fiction and non-fiction. Notable books amongst the 18 books published to his name are ‘Walking with Sausage Dogs’, his best-selling comic memoir, and ‘The Savages’, a very unusual YA novel featuring a family of cannibals! Matt also lectures in creative writing, was 19 Magazine‘s first ever male ‘Agony Uncle’, and is an established ghostwriter and collaborative author.
by Gudrun Bowers | 16, Jan 2019
We are very excited to welcome the acclaimed novelist and short story master Tessa Hadley to Steyning for the first time.
Tessa will be discussing her latest novel, ‘Late in the Day‘, the story of two close-knit couples, and how their lives are irrevocably altered by an untimely death. The novel explores the complex webs at the centre of our most intimate relationships, to expose how, beneath the seemingly dependable arrangements we make for our lives, lie infinite alternate configurations.
Tessa’s six previous novels include ‘Clever Girl’, ‘The Past’ and ‘Married Love’. Her novels have twice reached the longlists of the Orange Prize and the Wales Book of the Year, and in 2016, she won one of the Windham-Campbell Literature Prizes for fiction.
Tessa also teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University.
Tickets are £10, to include a voucher towards a copy of ‘Late in the Day’ which is released in hardback on 14th February. Wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be served.
Tickets are available by calling the bookshop on 01903 812062.
Critical praise for Late in the Day
“Tessa Hadley crystallizes the atmosphere of ordinary life in prose somehow miraculous and natural…. Extraordinary” (Washington Post)
“Tessa Hadley has become one of this country’s great contemporary novelists. She is equipped with an armoury of techniques and skills that may yet secure her a position as the greatest of them.” (Anthony Quinn in the Guardian)
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
Our lovely Steyning Bookshop employees Sarah Burns and Alice Garner don’t just know about books….they are now giving a lucky few of you a chance to take part in a tea-towel making workshop!
Fresh from their very popular sessions at Ditchling Museum and Much Ado Books in Alfriston, textile designer and block-printer Sarah Burns and her artistic assistant Alice will help participants experiment with screen-printing, lino-cut, stencil and other techniques to produce their own unique tea towel by the end of the day!
No experience is necessary, although those with some print-making experience are also welcome to come and experiment with new techniques. All materials will be provided, as well as plenty of tea and yummy home-made cake to keep the creative juices flowing!
The workshop will take place on from 2 -5 pm on Sunday 9th December, in the bookshop back kitchen.
ONLY 8 SPACES AVAILABLE! Cost £40 per person.
Book now via The Steyning Bookshop on 01903 812062.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
On Wednesday 5th December from 6pm – 9pm, Steyning High Street will once again be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, with a candlelit lantern procession, live bands, carol singers, a nativity scene, donkeys, and a plethora of fantastic stalls with crafts, hand-made goodies, and delicious hot food & drink, plus of course, all your favourite high street shops will open their doors and welcome you!
In time-honoured tradition, at the bookshop we will be a-bustle with revellers seeking Rob’s mulled wine (made to a top-secret recipe handed down through generations) and Sara’s home-made mince pies. Our author guest of honour this year will be acclaimed children’s author and illustrator, Emily Gravett, who’ll be at the shop from 6 pm until about 8.30 pm to sign and dedicate copies of her books. Emily has won numerous awards for her clever, inventive picture books, and her latest picture book in hardback is the delightful ‘Cyril and Pat’, a heart-warming story about a friendship between a squirrel and a rat! We will have a large selection of Emily’s books ready for signing, from her pre-schooler classics such ‘Apple Pear Orange Bear’ (which no toddler should be without), her quirky picture books perfect for ages 4-7 such as ‘Tidy’, with its amusing environmental message, and the darkly funny ‘Wolves’ and ‘Meerkat Mail’, to her books for older children, ‘The Imaginary’ and ‘The Afterwards’, written by A F Harrold, which Emily has brought to life with her astonishingly beautiful, haunting, pencil illustrations.
Do come along and meet Emily, or, if you are not able to come on the night, give us a ring to reserve a signed, dedicated book!
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
News from our October Newsletter
A grand time was had by all who came on Saturday afternoon to the signing by Julia Donaldson which
celebrated the publication of Julia’s two latest books – the delightful The Girl, The Bear and the Magic
Shoes, beautifully illustrated by Lydia Monks, and Animalphabet, an alphabet book with a difference which
has exquisite pictures by new artist Sharon King-Chai.
The families who came also had a great opportunity to browse amongst all Julia’s other books including the recently re-issued illustrated edition of Julia’s play set during the Second World War, Bombs and Blackberries, and the paperback edition of The GiantJumperee, Julia’s jolly story illustrated by the wonderful Helen Oxenbury.
Alphabet biscuits, glittery magic shoe decoration, a sunny garden animal picture hunt plus the chance to meet and chat with the most famous children’s author in the land on a glorious autumn day – what a very special event it was! We are
most grateful to Julia for signing solidly for 3 hours, to her publishers who came to help, to the bookshop
team and also most grateful this time to two lovely members of our book group, Barbara Anderson and
Julia Sherlock who dealt magnificently with endless glitter, glue and non-stop activity.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
Willa Knox is a woman trying to hold things together. Her house, which has been left to her is crumbling about her family’s ears; she and her husband, having worked as university professors, are now unemployed, her son’s girlfriend commits suicide leaving a small, inconsolable baby. Raging against a world that can let these things happen, Willa nonetheless comes to find consolation in her blossoming relationship with her daughter, Tig and her baby grandson, and her obsession with the first occupants of her unstable house.
Interleaved with Willa’s story is the tale of Thatcher Greenwood, who lived in her house in 1871. A science teacher who wishes to educate his small town about the work of Darwin, he runs foul of the town’s Christian founder, who is more than happy with the status quo. He finds inspiration in his friendship with his neighbour, the enigmatic Mary Treat, a scientist and breaker of the mould of Victorian womanhood.
An interesting novel about reason and faith, the failures of capitalism, family and loss, from one of our favourite authors.
Page 18 of 35« First«...10...1617181920...30...»Last »
