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The Modern Man in Fiction with Donal Ryan & Elvin James Mensah

Join us with two titans of modern literature, discussing their new books, Where Are The Kings and White Spaces, exploring modern masculinity and relationships.

Tuesday 8th September

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📣Event Announcement!
We're very excited to host Zahra Joya to the shop in September.

We can't wait to hear her speak. Zahra will be in speaking about her new book with time for Q&A and book signing.

Thursday 17th September
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
£7 entry only or get free entry when you buy the book.

Tickets available in the shop or online.

-------------------------------------
Join us in conversation with exiled Afghan human rights journalist and former TIME Woman of the Year, Zahra Joya on her new book, The Vanishing Girl of Kabul.

This book is a unique and compelling account of refusing to be silenced or erased.

It is about extraordinary courage and refusing to submit to oppression. Above all it is about hope and optimism, and one woman's fight for freedom' Sir Laurie Bristow, Former British ambassador to Afghanistan A powerful and poignant memoir about growing up female in Afghanistan, being betrayed by a world that promised to protect women's rights and how these rights are under threat across the world. When the Taliban first ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s, Zahra Joya disguised herself as a boy simply to attend school.

After the US-led invasion, her world transformed. Education, opportunity and freedom flourished. Like many Afghans, Zahra dared to believe in a future.

She became a journalist and established her own media company to tell the stories of Afghan women. Then, in 2021, the Taliban returned. Decades of hard-won progress vanished overnight.

Women were erased from public life once again, and the promises made by the West collapsed into silence. The Vanishing Girl of Kabul is Zahra's powerful story of betrayal, survival and resistance. Co-written with award-winning journalist, Amie Ferris-Rotman, a longtime friend of both Zahra and Afghanistan, this book blends the intimacy of memoir with the urgency of investigative reporting, exposing the brutal realities of gender-based oppression - not only in Afghanistan, but around the world.

Now living in exile in London, Zahra refuses to be silent. This book is her clarion call, a warning to a world too willing to look away.

#authortalk #bookevent #bristolbookshop #bristolevents #bookshopevents

📣Event Announcement!
We're very excited to host Zahra Joya to the shop in September.

We can't wait to hear her speak. Zahra will be in speaking about her new book with time for Q&A and book signing.

Thursday 17th September
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
£7 entry only or get free entry when you buy the book.

Tickets available in the shop or online.

-------------------------------------
Join us in conversation with exiled Afghan human rights journalist and former TIME Woman of the Year, Zahra Joya on her new book, The Vanishing Girl of Kabul.

This book is a unique and compelling account of refusing to be silenced or erased.

It is about extraordinary courage and refusing to submit to oppression. Above all it is about hope and optimism, and one woman's fight for freedom' Sir Laurie Bristow, Former British ambassador to Afghanistan A powerful and poignant memoir about growing up female in Afghanistan, being betrayed by a world that promised to protect women's rights and how these rights are under threat across the world. When the Taliban first ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s, Zahra Joya disguised herself as a boy simply to attend school.

After the US-led invasion, her world transformed. Education, opportunity and freedom flourished. Like many Afghans, Zahra dared to believe in a future.

She became a journalist and established her own media company to tell the stories of Afghan women. Then, in 2021, the Taliban returned. Decades of hard-won progress vanished overnight.

Women were erased from public life once again, and the promises made by the West collapsed into silence. The Vanishing Girl of Kabul is Zahra's powerful story of betrayal, survival and resistance. Co-written with award-winning journalist, Amie Ferris-Rotman, a longtime friend of both Zahra and Afghanistan, this book blends the intimacy of memoir with the urgency of investigative reporting, exposing the brutal realities of gender-based oppression - not only in Afghanistan, but around the world.

Now living in exile in London, Zahra refuses to be silent. This book is her clarion call, a warning to a world too willing to look away.

#authortalk #bookevent #bristolbookshop #bristolevents #bookshopevents

Join us in looking (safely!) up to the sky tonight for the eclipse. And while you're waiting, come on in to take a look at our selection on all things space, including activity books about the moon, getting to grips with the night sky above the UK, and being transported to the stars with some of our favourite moon-featuring fiction 🌘

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Join us in looking (safely!) up to the sky tonight for the eclipse. And while you're waiting, come on in to take a look at our selection on all things space, including activity books about the moon, getting to grips with the night sky above the UK, and being transported to the stars with some of our favourite moon-featuring fiction 🌘

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Have you seen our new window yet? Beautifully illustrated by the wonderful @freyahartas. ✨Believe ✨ is published on 29th August and is by @catdoyleauthor and illustrated by Freya. Look out for copies in store.

Also here’s a little tour of shop things that are not books, but book-adjacent!

☀️ Have a lovely Saturday all ☀️

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #poems

Have you seen our new window yet? Beautifully illustrated by the wonderful @freyahartas. ✨Believe ✨ is published on 29th August and is by @catdoyleauthor and illustrated by Freya. Look out for copies in store.

Also here’s a little tour of shop things that are not books, but book-adjacent!

☀️ Have a lovely Saturday all ☀️

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #poems

Need some inspiration for fun things to do this summer? Of course, read a book, OR read a book about an activity?

Walk 🚶‍♀️
Play 🎮
Create 💡
Cook 🍰

or just read a book...

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Need some inspiration for fun things to do this summer? Of course, read a book, OR read a book about an activity?

Walk 🚶‍♀️
Play 🎮
Create 💡
Cook 🍰

or just read a book...

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

It's Women in Translation Month, so here's some of our recent favourites in translated works. With stories translated from all over the world, from Catalan and Korean, to Norwegian and Persian, you're sure to find a new favourite 🌏

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

It's Women in Translation Month, so here's some of our recent favourites in translated works. With stories translated from all over the world, from Catalan and Korean, to Norwegian and Persian, you're sure to find a new favourite 🌏

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

📣Event announcement!
Join us with two titans of modern literature, discussing their new books, Where Are The Kings and White Spaces, exploring modern masculinity and relationships.

Tuesday 8th September
7pm (Doors 6.45pm)
Tickets available online or in the shop.

**Donal Ryan & Where Are The Kings
The tender, exquisite new novel from the winner of the Orwell Prize for Fiction and the Irish Book of the Year, asking how can a simple boy learn to become a king?

**Elvin James Mensah & White Spaces
The brilliant and beautiful new book from the author of Small Joys is a hymn to brotherly love and its transcendent power to heal.
It poses challenging questions about the way we were and the world we were creating, while always holding on to a powerful belief in the strength of love and friendship to overcome the worst that life can throw at us. Hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, White Spaces is an unforgettable novel that cements Mensah's reputation as one of the most exciting young British novelists working today.

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #bristolevents ##bristolbookstagrammers

📣Event announcement!
Join us with two titans of modern literature, discussing their new books, Where Are The Kings and White Spaces, exploring modern masculinity and relationships.

Tuesday 8th September
7pm (Doors 6.45pm)
Tickets available online or in the shop.

**Donal Ryan & Where Are The Kings
The tender, exquisite new novel from the winner of the Orwell Prize for Fiction and the Irish Book of the Year, asking how can a simple boy learn to become a king?

**Elvin James Mensah & White Spaces
The brilliant and beautiful new book from the author of Small Joys is a hymn to brotherly love and its transcendent power to heal.
It poses challenging questions about the way we were and the world we were creating, while always holding on to a powerful belief in the strength of love and friendship to overcome the worst that life can throw at us. Hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, White Spaces is an unforgettable novel that cements Mensah's reputation as one of the most exciting young British novelists working today.

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #bristolevents ##bristolbookstagrammers

Happy Saturday! We're open and it's perfect weather for strolling and book-browsing.

Stacks of excellent books - new-in, go-to-recommendations, prize-nominees, staff-favourites, local-champions, best-illustrated-light-bulb, weird-girl-fiction, hopeful-nature, seasonal-folklore, so-many-trees, graphic-novels-that-are-still-reading, summer-reads, sad-reads, fast-reads and slow-reads.

In short, we have good books.

Come visit.

#bookshop #weekendbooks #bristolbookshop #shoplocal #shopindie

Happy Saturday! We're open and it's perfect weather for strolling and book-browsing.

Stacks of excellent books - new-in, go-to-recommendations, prize-nominees, staff-favourites, local-champions, best-illustrated-light-bulb, weird-girl-fiction, hopeful-nature, seasonal-folklore, so-many-trees, graphic-novels-that-are-still-reading, summer-reads, sad-reads, fast-reads and slow-reads.

In short, we have good books.

Come visit.

#bookshop #weekendbooks #bristolbookshop #shoplocal #shopindie

It’s longlist season… so here is a longish list of some Small City Bookseller fiction picks that you might not have heard of yet (part 2!)

Half Light by Mahesh Rao: “Set on the cusp of India’s ruling to decriminalise homosexuality, this is the story of Pavan and Neville. Beautiful descriptions of Darjeeling contrast with the shame felt by one of the men. Wry humour, a bit melancholic, there is still hopefulness. I was totally absorbed” Sarah

Bitter Honey by Caryl Lewis: “I completely fell in love with this book! Told through the lens of loss, it’s a story of life and regeneration. Set in an orchard in Wales, it’s about home and making a home, with characters you want to spend time with. It’s joyful, optimistic and gentle, but done really well” Christie

Arborescence by Rhett Davis: “People are turning into trees! I love this smart and witty parable for our times. It’s profound and thought-provoking, yet also very readable” Nic

Pagans by James Alistair Henry: “Terrific crime fantasy thriller, set in an alternate 2020s London. The island of Britain is split into 3 conflicting territories: the dominant Saxon east, the ‘Tribal’ Celtic west, and the Nordic Picts in the north. When a diplomat is found murdered, two mismatched cops from opposing tribes must work together. Great world-building, pacing, politics & plot – written with humour and verve” Nic

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor: “Two interlinked stories of Zelu, a Nigerian-American, and the Scholar, a robot. A beautiful tale of Zelu’s life as it begins to blur into the sci-fi drama she is writing. Love and loss, heritage and family, this is easily accessible sci-fi. I loved it!” Sarah

The Home of the Drowned by Elin Anna Labba: “Following the lives of 3 Sami women across 1940s – 60s in Sapmi (only recognised indigenous people of the EU) as their village is repeatedly flooded for hydro-electric dams. It’s beautifully drawn with complex characters, in a part of the world I knew little about” Christie

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

It’s longlist season… so here is a longish list of some Small City Bookseller fiction picks that you might not have heard of yet (part 2!)

Half Light by Mahesh Rao: “Set on the cusp of India’s ruling to decriminalise homosexuality, this is the story of Pavan and Neville. Beautiful descriptions of Darjeeling contrast with the shame felt by one of the men. Wry humour, a bit melancholic, there is still hopefulness. I was totally absorbed” Sarah

Bitter Honey by Caryl Lewis: “I completely fell in love with this book! Told through the lens of loss, it’s a story of life and regeneration. Set in an orchard in Wales, it’s about home and making a home, with characters you want to spend time with. It’s joyful, optimistic and gentle, but done really well” Christie

Arborescence by Rhett Davis: “People are turning into trees! I love this smart and witty parable for our times. It’s profound and thought-provoking, yet also very readable” Nic

Pagans by James Alistair Henry: “Terrific crime fantasy thriller, set in an alternate 2020s London. The island of Britain is split into 3 conflicting territories: the dominant Saxon east, the ‘Tribal’ Celtic west, and the Nordic Picts in the north. When a diplomat is found murdered, two mismatched cops from opposing tribes must work together. Great world-building, pacing, politics & plot – written with humour and verve” Nic

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor: “Two interlinked stories of Zelu, a Nigerian-American, and the Scholar, a robot. A beautiful tale of Zelu’s life as it begins to blur into the sci-fi drama she is writing. Love and loss, heritage and family, this is easily accessible sci-fi. I loved it!” Sarah

The Home of the Drowned by Elin Anna Labba: “Following the lives of 3 Sami women across 1940s – 60s in Sapmi (only recognised indigenous people of the EU) as their village is repeatedly flooded for hydro-electric dams. It’s beautifully drawn with complex characters, in a part of the world I knew little about” Christie

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

It’s longlist season… so here is a longish list of some Small City Bookseller fiction picks that you might not have heard of yet (part 1!)

Upward Bound: “Exceptionally moving and joyful novel by Woody Brown – characters and connections of young people attending an adult day care centre. So perceptive and forgiving, I’ve never read anything like this!” Sarah

Cathedrals: “Love Claudia Pineiro, this might be my favourite yet. Both complex & fast-paced, it reads as both literary fiction and a mystery thriller – exploring a decades-hidden truth from each character’s perspective. An excellent read!” Christie

Uprising by Tahmima Anam: “Sensational…powerful…profound…harrowing…uplifting, I loved this brilliant novel about the lives of trafficked women trapped on a Bengal island and forced to sell sex. So much is packed in to 200 pages – an outstanding work of literature” Nic

Tangerinn by Emanuela Anechoum: “This Italian-Moroccan author’s debut is part love letter to her father, part reflection on Italy’s attitude to immigration, part searingly accurate account of millennial London life and its trials. It’s funny, heartfelt, moving – comparisons to Elena Ferrante are well-deserved” Lucy

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley: “January, an ex-ballet dancer & Earth refugee, and Aubrey, a several-generations deep Mars inhabitant & big name in politics, enter into a made-for-TV marriage in order to secure both of their futures. A joyful & compelling exploration of climate, gender and class – my favourite work of Pulley’s to date” Gen

The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin: “An unlikely friendship story between a lonely housepainter and the kid next door. A tale of misfits and heartbreak in sad Americana that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting” Christie

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

It’s longlist season… so here is a longish list of some Small City Bookseller fiction picks that you might not have heard of yet (part 1!)

Upward Bound: “Exceptionally moving and joyful novel by Woody Brown – characters and connections of young people attending an adult day care centre. So perceptive and forgiving, I’ve never read anything like this!” Sarah

Cathedrals: “Love Claudia Pineiro, this might be my favourite yet. Both complex & fast-paced, it reads as both literary fiction and a mystery thriller – exploring a decades-hidden truth from each character’s perspective. An excellent read!” Christie

Uprising by Tahmima Anam: “Sensational…powerful…profound…harrowing…uplifting, I loved this brilliant novel about the lives of trafficked women trapped on a Bengal island and forced to sell sex. So much is packed in to 200 pages – an outstanding work of literature” Nic

Tangerinn by Emanuela Anechoum: “This Italian-Moroccan author’s debut is part love letter to her father, part reflection on Italy’s attitude to immigration, part searingly accurate account of millennial London life and its trials. It’s funny, heartfelt, moving – comparisons to Elena Ferrante are well-deserved” Lucy

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley: “January, an ex-ballet dancer & Earth refugee, and Aubrey, a several-generations deep Mars inhabitant & big name in politics, enter into a made-for-TV marriage in order to secure both of their futures. A joyful & compelling exploration of climate, gender and class – my favourite work of Pulley’s to date” Gen

The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin: “An unlikely friendship story between a lonely housepainter and the kid next door. A tale of misfits and heartbreak in sad Americana that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting” Christie

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

📣Huge announcement of our first set of Autumn events!

We're so excited about these and can't wait to chat to these incredible authors about their books.

Pre-order the book and get free entry to the event (via the event page), or just buy an entry ticket and get a free drink and an excellent evening.

More to be announced.

#bristolevents #authortalks #bristol #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers

📣Huge announcement of our first set of Autumn events!

We're so excited about these and can't wait to chat to these incredible authors about their books.

Pre-order the book and get free entry to the event (via the event page), or just buy an entry ticket and get a free drink and an excellent evening.

More to be announced.

#bristolevents #authortalks #bristol #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers

We were excited when children's author @moraghood came to visit us in the shop this weekend.
She signed many of her excellent picture books for us - if you're lucky, you might find one with a special little drawing in it! 🍒

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

We were excited when children's author @moraghood came to visit us in the shop this weekend.
She signed many of her excellent picture books for us - if you're lucky, you might find one with a special little drawing in it! 🍒

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

☀️It’s a busy, sunny day in the shop ☀️ We’ve made lots of recommendations today - one of our favourite things to do 😍 What’s the one book you’d recommend to everyone? Share your favourite in the comments—we’re always looking for brilliant books to recommend in the shop. 📚✨

☀️It’s a busy, sunny day in the shop ☀️ We’ve made lots of recommendations today - one of our favourite things to do 😍 What’s the one book you’d recommend to everyone? Share your favourite in the comments—we’re always looking for brilliant books to recommend in the shop. 📚✨

Looking for something fun to do this summer holiday? Pop in to take a look at our selection of activity books for children 📚

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Looking for something fun to do this summer holiday? Pop in to take a look at our selection of activity books for children 📚

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5
#shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Part two of this week’s delve into nature writing, and this time we’re looking at books focusing on how we humans interact with the world around us.

These fascinating reads confront the environmental challenges of our times, inspiring action and offering hope for anyone thinking about how we protect the planet for future generations.

#indiebookshop #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness
#conservation #conservationwriting

Part two of this week’s delve into nature writing, and this time we’re looking at books focusing on how we humans interact with the world around us.

These fascinating reads confront the environmental challenges of our times, inspiring action and offering hope for anyone thinking about how we protect the planet for future generations.

#indiebookshop #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness
#conservation #conservationwriting

This week, we're focusing on what's new in nature writing 🌿
The Bristol Urban Nature Map is also back in stock, so don't miss your chance to pick one up!

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

This week, we're focusing on what's new in nature writing 🌿
The Bristol Urban Nature Map is also back in stock, so don't miss your chance to pick one up!

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness

Saturday morning bookshop tour.

We're in the shade - escape from the heat with us and get a recommendation for a book to read under a giant tree in the park. 😎

#bs5 #bookshop #indiebookshop #bookstagram #bristolbookshop

Saturday morning bookshop tour.

We're in the shade - escape from the heat with us and get a recommendation for a book to read under a giant tree in the park. 😎

#bs5 #bookshop #indiebookshop #bookstagram #bristolbookshop

Bristol is celebrating Pride this weekend, so stop by and take a look at some of our newest LGBTQIA+ additions across all genres. Happy Pride! 🌈

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #bristolbookstagrammers #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness #bristolpride

Bristol is celebrating Pride this weekend, so stop by and take a look at some of our newest LGBTQIA+ additions across all genres. Happy Pride! 🌈

#indiebookshop #bristol #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #bristolbookstagrammers #bookshopsofinstagram #bs5 #shoplocal #bristolbusiness #bristolpride

Packed shop for our event last night with Rowe Irvin and Anne Keer 💚

It was a great evening being introduced to their incredible debut novels and talking about nature as a fierce and complex character, about the boundary between animal and human, resistance & escape, giving up as a reasonable response in some cases and how we need to assess our relationship with nature.

Thanks to both @bog__daughter and @anne.keer for their time and sharing their thoughts.

Thanks as always to our incredible audiences and continuing to show up for books.

Next up is Daisy Johnson - Thursday 9th July.
Dont miss it!

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop #independentbookshop.

Packed shop for our event last night with Rowe Irvin and Anne Keer 💚

It was a great evening being introduced to their incredible debut novels and talking about nature as a fierce and complex character, about the boundary between animal and human, resistance & escape, giving up as a reasonable response in some cases and how we need to assess our relationship with nature.

Thanks to both @bog__daughter and @anne.keer for their time and sharing their thoughts.

Thanks as always to our incredible audiences and continuing to show up for books.

Next up is Daisy Johnson - Thursday 9th July.
Dont miss it!

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop #independentbookshop.

We're very excited about our July line-up - they are the perfect way to round off our summer of events before we take a break for August.

Get a ticket to something great.

🔥Novels in the Wild with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer.
Thursday 2nd July
Join us in conversation with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer on their novels.
Set in nature, on escaping into the wild, resistance and finding places to belong.

🔥Long Wave with Daisy Johnson.
Thursday 9th July
From Booker Shortlisted author of Everything Under, Daisy Johnson's new extra-ordinary novel - The Long Wave. Join us in conversation with Daisy on her new book.

🔥Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons with Jasmine Elmer.
Thursday 23rd July
Join us in conversation with ancient world expert, Jasmine Elmer on the ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons in her book, Slay.

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookstagram #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop

We're very excited about our July line-up - they are the perfect way to round off our summer of events before we take a break for August.

Get a ticket to something great.

🔥Novels in the Wild with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer.
Thursday 2nd July
Join us in conversation with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer on their novels.
Set in nature, on escaping into the wild, resistance and finding places to belong.

🔥Long Wave with Daisy Johnson.
Thursday 9th July
From Booker Shortlisted author of Everything Under, Daisy Johnson's new extra-ordinary novel - The Long Wave. Join us in conversation with Daisy on her new book.

🔥Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons with Jasmine Elmer.
Thursday 23rd July
Join us in conversation with ancient world expert, Jasmine Elmer on the ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons in her book, Slay.

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookstagram #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop

Update : Unfortunately, this event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

‐-------------------------------------------

Our final July event - and it's female dragon-slayers!

We're very excited to welcome Jasmine Elmer to the shop to talk about her new book, Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons.

Thursday 23rd July
Doors: 6.45pm
Event start: 7pm

Ticket includes entry to the event and a free drink.

A groundbreaking and seminal chronicle of the hidden history and mythology of female dragon slayers from ancient world expert and author of Goddess with a Thousand Faces Jasmine Elmer. The dragon is a monster with a rich history of symbolism in almost every culture. In the stories that have been passed down through time, dragons lurk in the great wild, in dark, unknown and mysterious lands that exist on the periphery of human civilisation.

Only the bravest of souls dare venture into the darkness to vanquish the dragon - and so often the tales have only shone light on the men. But what if there is so much more to this narrative? Jasmine Elmer shifts the spotlight to the daring and victorious female dragon slayers that have been written out of history. Combining historical research with mythological retelling, Slay is a celebration of the dragon - and the woman that conquered the monsters - that has never been done before.

**Slay is a distinctive and revelatory historical and mythological exploration of dragons, the stories and cultures around them, and the fierce women who slayed them.**

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers #bristolevents

Update : Unfortunately, this event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

‐-------------------------------------------

Our final July event - and it's female dragon-slayers!

We're very excited to welcome Jasmine Elmer to the shop to talk about her new book, Slay: Ancient legends of female slayers and the hidden mythology of dragons.

Thursday 23rd July
Doors: 6.45pm
Event start: 7pm

Ticket includes entry to the event and a free drink.

A groundbreaking and seminal chronicle of the hidden history and mythology of female dragon slayers from ancient world expert and author of Goddess with a Thousand Faces Jasmine Elmer. The dragon is a monster with a rich history of symbolism in almost every culture. In the stories that have been passed down through time, dragons lurk in the great wild, in dark, unknown and mysterious lands that exist on the periphery of human civilisation.

Only the bravest of souls dare venture into the darkness to vanquish the dragon - and so often the tales have only shone light on the men. But what if there is so much more to this narrative? Jasmine Elmer shifts the spotlight to the daring and victorious female dragon slayers that have been written out of history. Combining historical research with mythological retelling, Slay is a celebration of the dragon - and the woman that conquered the monsters - that has never been done before.

**Slay is a distinctive and revelatory historical and mythological exploration of dragons, the stories and cultures around them, and the fierce women who slayed them.**

#authortalk #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers #bristolevents

❤️ It's Independent Bookshop Week!

It's independent bookshop week every week for us happily, but come and get some treats!

🎉Free £5 National Book Token with every purchase
🎉Free stickers and chocolates
🎉Free Small City Bookshop Tote bag with £50 spend today and tomorrow (Sat and Sun)
🎉The Children's Book Project collection station is out
🎉Watch me struggle with the bunting

----------------------------------------

#IBW #independentbookshopweek #bunting #BS5 #bristolbookshops #indiebookshops #summerreads #cbp #childrensbookproject

❤️ It's Independent Bookshop Week!

It's independent bookshop week every week for us happily, but come and get some treats!

🎉Free £5 National Book Token with every purchase
🎉Free stickers and chocolates
🎉Free Small City Bookshop Tote bag with £50 spend today and tomorrow (Sat and Sun)
🎉The Children's Book Project collection station is out
🎉Watch me struggle with the bunting

----------------------------------------

#IBW #independentbookshopweek #bunting #BS5 #bristolbookshops #indiebookshops #summerreads #cbp #childrensbookproject

🎉Event Announcement - Daisy Johnson!

Thursday 9th July
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
Tickets from £7 with a free drink.

The BEST way to spend an evening!

'Daisy Johnson is one of the best writers in this country' Max Porter

*The Long Wave*
A hypnotic and haunting novel of motherhood, loss, and the invisible ties that bind us together, from Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson.

Close to the shore is the island: uninhabited, wild, with only a stormbeaten lighthouse for shelter. Ori was found there as a small child with a handful of stones, no memories and no mother. When she has a baby of her own, the job of motherhood feels immense and sleepless nights begin to shatter her grip on reality. Her head fills with the sound of stones knocking against each other and the mystery of her past begins to unravel, opening a path to the mother she lost, and the mother she could become.

Years earlier, on a sweltering summer day, ten-year-old Ruth sees a woman and her baby walk into the river and disappear. But she is the only witness, and the water yields no trace. Ruth’s mother, Edith, locks her daughter away – first to restrain these wild imaginings, and later, when she falls pregnant, to hide the shame. Ruth longs to escape and dreams of the nearby island, where she and her baby can finally be free.

Told with mythic power and lyrical precision, Long Wave is an extraordinary novel of longing and loss, rebirth and survival.

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookshop #booksaremybag #bookstagram

🎉Event Announcement - Daisy Johnson!

Thursday 9th July
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
Tickets from £7 with a free drink.

The BEST way to spend an evening!

'Daisy Johnson is one of the best writers in this country' Max Porter

*The Long Wave*
A hypnotic and haunting novel of motherhood, loss, and the invisible ties that bind us together, from Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson.

Close to the shore is the island: uninhabited, wild, with only a stormbeaten lighthouse for shelter. Ori was found there as a small child with a handful of stones, no memories and no mother. When she has a baby of her own, the job of motherhood feels immense and sleepless nights begin to shatter her grip on reality. Her head fills with the sound of stones knocking against each other and the mystery of her past begins to unravel, opening a path to the mother she lost, and the mother she could become.

Years earlier, on a sweltering summer day, ten-year-old Ruth sees a woman and her baby walk into the river and disappear. But she is the only witness, and the water yields no trace. Ruth’s mother, Edith, locks her daughter away – first to restrain these wild imaginings, and later, when she falls pregnant, to hide the shame. Ruth longs to escape and dreams of the nearby island, where she and her baby can finally be free.

Told with mythic power and lyrical precision, Long Wave is an extraordinary novel of longing and loss, rebirth and survival.

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookshop #booksaremybag #bookstagram

Join us in conversation with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer on their novels - set in nature, on escaping into the wild, resistance and finding places to belong.

Thursday 2nd July
Doors: 6.45pm
Event: 7 - 8.30pm

*Life Cycle of a Moth by Rowe Irvin*

LONGLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2026

AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT OF 2025

Myma, do you hear it? Myma, do you hear? Myma?Maya and Daughter live in complete isolation in a secluded woodland, their days aligned with the light and changing seasons, a complex pattern of routine and ritual. One day, when Daughter is almost sixteen, a red-haired stranger steps into the confines of their territory. Where there was always two, suddenly there are three - and the carefully constructed world that Maya has built to keep her daughter safe may not survive it.

*The Wildness by Anne Keer*

As the Enlightenment dawns, Hannah Sentance finds herself increasingly disturbed by her husband Walter's unyielding desire to transform the land around their estate into an elite Gentleman's Park. Local people will be evicted, an old way of life lost and an ancient oak tree felled. A symbol of resistance, wildness and a young woman's love affair with nature, the tree embodies Hannah's struggle for a way of belonging.

But how can she - and it - survive?

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookshop #independentbookshop #bristolbookstagram
@bog__daughter @anne.keer

Join us in conversation with Rowe Irvin & Anne Keer on their novels - set in nature, on escaping into the wild, resistance and finding places to belong.

Thursday 2nd July
Doors: 6.45pm
Event: 7 - 8.30pm

*Life Cycle of a Moth by Rowe Irvin*

LONGLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2026

AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT OF 2025

Myma, do you hear it? Myma, do you hear? Myma?Maya and Daughter live in complete isolation in a secluded woodland, their days aligned with the light and changing seasons, a complex pattern of routine and ritual. One day, when Daughter is almost sixteen, a red-haired stranger steps into the confines of their territory. Where there was always two, suddenly there are three - and the carefully constructed world that Maya has built to keep her daughter safe may not survive it.

*The Wildness by Anne Keer*

As the Enlightenment dawns, Hannah Sentance finds herself increasingly disturbed by her husband Walter's unyielding desire to transform the land around their estate into an elite Gentleman's Park. Local people will be evicted, an old way of life lost and an ancient oak tree felled. A symbol of resistance, wildness and a young woman's love affair with nature, the tree embodies Hannah's struggle for a way of belonging.

But how can she - and it - survive?

#authortalk #bristolevents #bristolbookshop #independentbookshop #bristolbookstagram
@bog__daughter @anne.keer

Saturday morning bookshop - new Maggie O'Farrell is out and Bristol Urban Nature Maps back in stock! Grab one while this batch lasts.

Come and talk to us about books.
New events going up on the website too!

#booksfortheweekend #booksaremybag #bristolbookstagram #indiebookshop #independentbookshop

Saturday morning bookshop - new Maggie O'Farrell is out and Bristol Urban Nature Maps back in stock! Grab one while this batch lasts.

Come and talk to us about books.
New events going up on the website too!

#booksfortheweekend #booksaremybag #bristolbookstagram #indiebookshop #independentbookshop

Towering stacks of books for a temperant Saturday morning.
New fiction, non-fiction and enough children's books to keep them busy long enough for a nap.
Kathy Burke out in paperback and in a beautiful indie exclusive edition

It's perfect book-buying weather.
Come down and see us.

#bristolbookstagram
#bristolbookshop
#indiebookshop #booksfortheweekend #bristolbusiness

Towering stacks of books for a temperant Saturday morning.
New fiction, non-fiction and enough children's books to keep them busy long enough for a nap.
Kathy Burke out in paperback and in a beautiful indie exclusive edition

It's perfect book-buying weather.
Come down and see us.

#bristolbookstagram
#bristolbookshop
#indiebookshop #booksfortheweekend #bristolbusiness

What a great evening!
Thanks to @clairellynch and @anthonyshapland for braving the heat and the transport to get to us for a really fascinating event.

We've been championing these two exceptional debuts since they came out and so were thrilled they came together to chat about their books and queer history in fiction.
We cant recommend them enough.

We have a few signed copies of both books in the shop, while stocks last.

Thank you to Andrew Kelly for masterful guidance through a great conversation, and thanks to everyone who, as Claire noted, chose us over a beer garden. We salute you all.

More events to be announced for July - sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear.
Some exciting plans coming to fruition for autumn as well!

#authortalk #authorevent #bristolbookstagram #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers

What a great evening!
Thanks to @clairellynch and @anthonyshapland for braving the heat and the transport to get to us for a really fascinating event.

We've been championing these two exceptional debuts since they came out and so were thrilled they came together to chat about their books and queer history in fiction.
We cant recommend them enough.

We have a few signed copies of both books in the shop, while stocks last.

Thank you to Andrew Kelly for masterful guidance through a great conversation, and thanks to everyone who, as Claire noted, chose us over a beer garden. We salute you all.

More events to be announced for July - sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear.
Some exciting plans coming to fruition for autumn as well!

#authortalk #authorevent #bristolbookstagram #bristolbookshop #bristolbookstagrammers

🌞Sun's out Books out.

🌞It's warm, it's sunny and it's a long weekend. This means perfect reading conditions.

🌿We have perfect books for reading in the park, your garden or in the house with the curtains closed.

🌍Come and see us at the shop, it's been a big week for newly published books and we have them all (almost).

-------------------------------------------

#bookrecommendations
#indiebookshop #bristol #bs5 #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram

🌞Sun's out Books out.

🌞It's warm, it's sunny and it's a long weekend. This means perfect reading conditions.

🌿We have perfect books for reading in the park, your garden or in the house with the curtains closed.

🌍Come and see us at the shop, it's been a big week for newly published books and we have them all (almost).

-------------------------------------------

#bookrecommendations
#indiebookshop #bristol #bs5 #bristolbookshop #bookshop #bookstagramuk #bristolbookstagrammers #bookstagram #bookshopsofinstagram

We're in a whirlwind of great events and are now only just catching up on sharing some pics!

Thank you to @saba_sams for an amazing evening last week, discussing her novel, Gunk. Now out in paperback and a few signed copies left!

Thanks to @ellen__jones and @elizabethlovatt for last night on Queer Histories, Queer Futures. For sharing their stories and thoughts. It was a great evening.

Thanks to everyone who came. Truly lovely audiences.

Next week is Queer History in Fiction with Claire Lynch and Anthony Shapland. Not miss it.

#authortalk #authorevent #bristolevents #bristolbookstagram

We're in a whirlwind of great events and are now only just catching up on sharing some pics!

Thank you to @saba_sams for an amazing evening last week, discussing her novel, Gunk. Now out in paperback and a few signed copies left!

Thanks to @ellen__jones and @elizabethlovatt for last night on Queer Histories, Queer Futures. For sharing their stories and thoughts. It was a great evening.

Thanks to everyone who came. Truly lovely audiences.

Next week is Queer History in Fiction with Claire Lynch and Anthony Shapland. Not miss it.

#authortalk #authorevent #bristolevents #bristolbookstagram

Join us in conversation with Anthony Shapland & Claire Lynch on their novels, A Room Above A Shop and A Family Matters, and how fiction can raise awareness of our LGBTQ+ history.

With Andrew Kelly from Bristol Festival of Ideas.

Thursday 28th May
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
Tickets from £7 with a free drink!

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch
WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARDS GOLD PRIZE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025
A mother following her heart. A father with the law on his side. A child caught in the middle. 1982 Dawn is a young wife and mother hemmed in by village life.
Then Hazel appears like a torch in the dark. Their attraction is instant and suddenly Dawn’s world is more joyful, and more complicated, than she ever expected. 2022 Maggie has always lived with an absence where her mother should be.
Her father never speaks of her and it feels impossible to ask. Then an official letter arrives with news from the past, and Maggie must face a truth far bigger than just her family’s secret.

A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland
When two quiet men form a tentative connection neither knows where it might lead. M has inherited his family's ironmongery business and B is younger by eleven years and can see no future in the place where he has grown up, but when M offers him a job and lodgings, he accepts. As the two men work side by side in the shop, they also begin a life together in their one shared room above - the kind of life they never imagined possible and that risks everything if their public performance were to slip.

Unfolding in South Wales against the backdrop of Section 28, the age of consent debate and the HIV and AIDS crisis, this is a tender and resonant love story, and a powerful debut.

#bristolevents #authortalk #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop

Join us in conversation with Anthony Shapland & Claire Lynch on their novels, A Room Above A Shop and A Family Matters, and how fiction can raise awareness of our LGBTQ+ history.

With Andrew Kelly from Bristol Festival of Ideas.

Thursday 28th May
Doors: 6.45pm
Start: 7pm
Tickets from £7 with a free drink!

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch
WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARDS GOLD PRIZE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025
A mother following her heart. A father with the law on his side. A child caught in the middle. 1982 Dawn is a young wife and mother hemmed in by village life.
Then Hazel appears like a torch in the dark. Their attraction is instant and suddenly Dawn’s world is more joyful, and more complicated, than she ever expected. 2022 Maggie has always lived with an absence where her mother should be.
Her father never speaks of her and it feels impossible to ask. Then an official letter arrives with news from the past, and Maggie must face a truth far bigger than just her family’s secret.

A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland
When two quiet men form a tentative connection neither knows where it might lead. M has inherited his family's ironmongery business and B is younger by eleven years and can see no future in the place where he has grown up, but when M offers him a job and lodgings, he accepts. As the two men work side by side in the shop, they also begin a life together in their one shared room above - the kind of life they never imagined possible and that risks everything if their public performance were to slip.

Unfolding in South Wales against the backdrop of Section 28, the age of consent debate and the HIV and AIDS crisis, this is a tender and resonant love story, and a powerful debut.

#bristolevents #authortalk #bristolbookshop #indiebookshop

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