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We have been working hard in the hot weather to put together an exciting programme of events in the shop and around Abingdon this summer – so have your diaries to hand when reading through this action-packed newsletter.
Also – and at short notice – we are delighted to be involved in the launch of a short story anthology this Friday with none other than Philip Pullman at Larkmead School. You are cordially invited - more details below.
Finally, ‘tis the season for summer reading and we’ve put together a small selection of some of the books we think are worth popping in your holiday luggage over the next few months – but there are many more in the shop. We hope to see you soon!
Mark & Nicki
Coming up...
- School Anthology Launch with Tim Pears & Philip Pullman –
Fri Jun 11, 7pm, Larkmead School
- Bookstart Beach Party – Tues Jun 15, 10am
- Eliza Graham 'Jubilee' Book Launch – Wed Jun 16, 7.30pm
- Abingdon Architectural Walk – Tues Jul 6, 6.30pm
- Sophie Hannah Literary Dinner – Tues Aug 10, 7pm
Larkmead School Literary Festival
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Mostly Books is proud to be the bookseller at the first Larkmead School Literary Festival on Friday, June 11.
Authors appearing during the day include Julie Hearn, David Melling, MG Harris, Sally Nicholls, Katherine Langrish, Joanna Kenrick and John Dickinson, with other screenwriters, journalists, graphic artists and even a rap artist running workshops for children.
There is a special evening event at 7.30pm, at which writer in residence Tim Pears will be joined by bestselling author Philip Pullman to launch the Larkmead Anthology, 'The Blender', a collection of short stories written and compiled by the students themselves.
Tickets are available from Larkmead School or Mostly Books at a cost of £3 per adult and £1 per child.
Philip Pullman will be available to sign copies of his books before the evening event. Anyone wishing to meet Philip and get a signed copy of any of his books should come along to Larkmead School at 7pm.
To reserve a place at the event, please contact: f.stott@larkmead.oxon.sch.uk
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Bookstart Beach Party
To celebrate National Bookstart Day – and also a new time for our regular weekly storytime - we’ll be holding a Bookstart Beach Party on Tuesday June 15.
Our new Tuesday morning storytime for under 5s will be at 10am – and on June 15 we will have a seaside theme, there will be suitably summery, seaside fun throughout the day. There will also be prizes for the silliest shorts, and the most spectacular sunglasses. Free event – no need to book..
Book Launch: Eliza Graham ‘Jubilee’
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Eliza Graham is the author of ‘Playing with the Moon’ and ‘Restitution’, and we are pleased to be holding the launch of her next book ‘Jubilee’ on Wed Jun 16 at 7.30pm..
Set on the day of the Queen's Jubilee in 1977, Rachel and her aunt Evie are celebrating with the crowds on the village green. On that day twenty-five years previously, Evie's young daughter, Jessamy, vanished. Soon after the celebrations, news comes of Evie's sudden death, and Rachel must return to the village to deal with her aunt's estate. The extraordinary story she uncovers there will change everything.
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Eliza Graham writes beautifully crafted stories about buried secrets - particularly about things that happened during the Second World War, when under extreme stress people did extraordinary things - both bad and good. Her books are about how the past catches up with us.
This is a celebration for Eliza of the book's publication. However there will be places available for anyone who would like to come along to the launch, join Eliza and her friends and family, and hear her read from the new book.
Email books@mostly-books.co.uk to reserve a place or call 01235 525880.
Pevsner’s Walk around Abingdon
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Ever walked around Abingdon and wished you’d been better informed about the history and architecture of its buildings? On Tuesday, July 6 there is a wonderful opportunity to do so in the company of one of the country’s finest architectural historians in a unique one-off event.
We are delighted that Dr Simon Bradley, series editor of the Pevsner Architectural Guides, will lead an architectural walk around Abingdon - including rare access to two of its oldest buildings. |
The walk will begin at Mostly Books at 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 6, where Dr Bradley will give a short introduction – and then we will set off down Stert Street to the Market Square. The walk will include a visit to the St Helen’s Almshouses and includes a rare opportunity to view the Hall of the Long Alley Almshouse, erected in 1446. We will round of the evening in the Checker Building – one of the few surviving Abbey buildings, believed to date from the 13th century. Here there will be refreshments, a chance to ask questions and an opportunity to buy copies of the new ‘Berkshire Edition’ of the Pevsner Architectural Guide.'
The guides of Nikolaus Pevsner have been described as "the greatest endeavour of popular architectural scholarship in the world". For the first time in nearly 40 years, a completely revised and comprehensive new edition of the 'Berkshire' Edition will be published. It follows Berkshire’s historic boundaries, including the large area transferred to Oxfordshire in the 1970s (within which Abingdon sits). The variety of architecture is broad and remarkable; Pevsner described Berkshire as 'half home county, half West Country'.
This is a unique and one-off event – and we know interest will be extremely high. Unfortunately we are limited to the number of participants that can take part. Tickets priced at £10, include strawberries and cream, a glass of wine in the Checker Building at the end of the walk, and £7 off the price of the book on the evening (RRP is £35).
Email books@mostly-books.co.uk to reserve a place or call 01235 525880.
Sophie Hannah Literary Dinner
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On Tuesday August 10 we are delighted to welcome bestselling psychological thriller writer and poet Sophie Hannah for a very special evening at Abingdon’s historic King’s Head and Bell – and our first Literary Dinner. Join us for a terrific three-course meal (in the room which was once a meeting room for King Charles I) in the company of our guest author. |
The evening starts at 7pm, and includes a glass of champagne on arrival. Tickets are £35 (£32 for Mostly Booklovers) and tickets are now on sale in the shop. Email books@mostly-books.co.uk to reserve a place or call 01235 525880.
Tell Them A Story
Local author, poet and storyteller Peter Hearn will teach you how to tell a good story. During eight 2-hour sessions you will learn the nature and magic of story; where to find stories; how to make those stories your own; and how to tell those stories.
Ideal for parents, teachers, librarians, care workers, preachers – anyone interested in the telling of a story and the preservation and practice of an ancient craft.
The course will take place at St Ethelwold’s House, East St Helen Street, Abingdon on Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9pm, commencing 12th October 2010. Cost is £80, payable only if you enjoy the first session and come back for more!
Above all, it will be fun! Further information and booking:
Peter Hearn 01235 820699 or peterhearn@beltaine.fsnet.co.uk
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Father’s Day Selection
Here’s a selection of some of the best new titles that we are enjoying at the moment – perfect for Father’s Day on June 20. We’ve plenty more in our special Father’s Day display – and don’t miss our special camping and cycling selections:
30-Second Theories - Paul Parsons / HB / £12.99
One of our favourite books of the year so far – a stunning digest of the 50 most thought-provoking theories in science, each explained in half a minute. Both a lovely father's day gift and brain-stretching read, this is a jargon-free taster of the most influential and important scientific ideas and theories in history – from Quantum Mechanics and Evolution to Occam's Razor and the Placebo Effect – all distilled down to two pages, 300 words and a picture. Think of it as a mental toolkit for intuitively coping with the complexities of daily life.
Solar - Ian McEwan / HB / £18.99
Appeals on so many levels: a favourite author, satirical dark humour, an unashamedly 'guy's' book, academic infighting and an environmental agenda. What Ian McEwan does (through his at times repulsive academic anti-hero Michael Beard) is bring the climate change debate down to an all-too-human level.
Summer Reading
As the weather hots up, we’ve been spotting those books not to be without this holiday season. Here’s a selection of our favourites so far – but please do come in for your own personal recommendations:
The Earth Hums in B Flat - Mari Strachan / PB / £7.99
A beguiling heroine, a setting of 1950s Wales in which you can almost taste the poverty, and good storytelling. It’s all a beautifully played out tale where everyone knows everyone's business but no-one ever says a thing. The disappearance of a local man brings out the best and the worst of the community and many secrets are unravelled by the well-meaning and charming Gwenni. Was also serialised on BBC Radio 4's "A Book at Bedtime".
The Hand That First Held Mine
Maggie O’Farrell / HB / £16.99
Lexie, one of the first women in Fleet Street in the 1950s, and Elina, an artist in the present day are linked by more than finding out just how much having a baby changes you. A great novel about how motherhood changes relationships with parents, spouse, friends, even yourself. And for Ted, Elina's partner, who starts to have early memories of his very earliest years – with a dawning realisation that he can remember his real mother. Well-written, this is a gripping and sensitive tale by the always readable Maggie O-Farrell. Lovely.
Of Bees and Mist - Erick Setiawan / PB / £7.99
This is an adult fairy story set in a dark gothic fantasy world – a book of love, loss and family secrets. Although not obvious at first, it is set in a fictional world very much like our own but with intimations of magic. It even comes complete with an evil mother in law... (and treacherous bees)
The Dark Vineyard - Martin Walker / PB / £7.99
This is one of those crime novels that’s less about the crime, than about the setting of the crime and the lives of the characters – which is probably why it’s been heralded as the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency for France. Set in the Dordogne, the crimes are solved at a slow pace by the local chief of police who knows everyone and frequently interviews suspects over a delicious locally-produced feast, which enhances the book’s appeal. This is a great read, particularly if you love France, and if the series takes off, will definitely see bookings to the Dordogne on the rise!
London Unlocked - Emily Kerr / PB / £8.99
Where in London can you round up animals? Design your own coat of arms, hire a pedalo or see 78 carved monkeys? In our opinion pretty much the best current guide book about London is one written for kids. ‘London Unlocked’ is designed for school-age children and gives tells you what kids will really want to do on a day out at the capital. It is full of really funky, unusual things to do and is well-designed for children to plan their own trips and filled with things to spot while travelling between the sights. Each sight is rated and there are gold stars in the back so children can award stars themselves. And the best thing about this brand new guide is that the authors are bringing out a whole range for tourist hot-spots across the country. We love them.
Cool Camping Kids - PB / £16.95
This is a great book for planning holidays as the campsites are rated on their facilities and friendliness for children. But don’t forget you don’t have to go miles for camping to be an adventure. This book has got several campsites not too far away (which means if the weather’s really awful it’s not too far to go home!) As well as recommended sites by age and activity, this is full of great camping tips aimed at the novice camper who fancies a traditional, old fashioned family break. For tips on fostering a sense of adventure that won’t break the bank, camping can be cool!
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