Bath Events and Reading Groups
In this beautiful Georgian city we host all sorts of literary occasions from reading groups to large events. We are home to a vibrant all year round event programme, culminating every year in our Autumn Literary Festival which runs from September through to the end of November.
Women in Classics: Mary Beard for 'The Shock of the Old'
Friday 24th April, 7pm
'The reigning Queen of Classics' - The SpectatorWhat's exciting about a piece of bread 4,000 years old? Or some pots of paint abandoned in the eruption …
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Nathan Outlaw with On Fish
Monday 27th April, 7pm
We're thrilled to welcome back Cornwall's best fish man and Michelin-star chef Nathan Outlaw.For anyone wanting to know more about seafood and how to cook it, …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 28th April, 10am
Welcome to Tiny Tales! At 10:00am, Claud will read a handful of brilliant new picture books carefully selected. It will last for approximately 45 minutes.Tiny Tales …
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Brin Pirathapan for Elevate
Tuesday 28th April, 7pm
Cookery Demo & TastingsA bold debut cookbook from 2024 MasterChef winner Brin Pirathapan is all about making everyday basics extraordinary. Rooted in his Tamil Sri Lankan …
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Ghouls, Goblins, and Aliens: SFFH Reading Group
Wednesday 29th April, 7pm
Welcome to Ghouls, Goblins and Aliens, our Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror reading group. Your host Roxane will guide you through what’s great, what’s new, and …
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Be Confident with Jo Emerson
Wednesday 29th April, 7pm
One of the UK's leading coaches launches Be Confident: Your 100-day guide. Join author, Jo Emerson in conversation with the BBC’s Imogen Sellers as they discuss …
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A Supper & Talk with Berdoulat's Patrick Williams
Thursday 30th April, 7pm
This evening, we will be serving the book's featured recipe, known as 'The Truth' - Green Street sausage with a warm potato salad - with a …
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Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans
Thursday 30th April, 7pm
We're delighted to welcome lead curator Alice Christophe to the bookshop to discuss the companion book for the current British Museum exhibition: Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing …
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How To Age with Liz Earle
Friday 1st May, 7pm
Join Liz as she shares all the latest scientific research which informs her unique approach to age well; never anti-ageing, always in the best way possible. …
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Garden Designer Lottie Delamain
Tuesday 5th May, 7pm
'A clarion call and a celebration of how green spaces can radically transform both people and the planet' Sunday TimesSomerset-based gardener, Lottie Delamain explores the many …
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Women in Classics: Jess Venner on Pompeii
Tuesday 5th May, 7pm
We know how the people of Pompeii died, but how did they live?Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries, Jess Venner brings the ancient streets to life …
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Sara Wheeler on Jan Morris: A Life
Wednesday 6th May, 7pm
'Superb.' - Colin Thubron'Breathtakingly good.' - Michael PalinThere are few literary figures more significant in the last seventy-years than Jan Morris. From her magnum-opus, Trieste, to …
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Georgina Hayden with Medesque
Thursday 7th May, 7pm
Escape to sun-soaked coastlines with the glorious flavours of Medesque from Georgina Hayden (of the bestselling Greekish, Nistisima & Taverna)'Joyful, generous and drenched in olive oil' …
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Patrick Radden Keefe for London Falling
Thursday 7th May, 7pm
'One of those authors I will always read, no matter what the subject matter . . . a masterclass in compelling narrative non-fiction' - The Guardian …
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Greg Doran for Walking Shadow
Friday 8th May, 7pm
A blend of memoir, travelogue and investigation, Walking Shadow sheds light on the past while the author emerges from the darkness of loss.After the death from …
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World Literature Reading Group
Sunday 10th May, 7pm
Our World Literature Reading Group aims to showcase literature written outside of the anglophone world. On our journey we will make a variety of stops in …
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Pulitzer Prize-winning Cristina Rivera Garza for Autobiography of Cotton
Monday 11th May, 7pm
Join us in Bath to celebrate a novel about how cotton workers transformed the Mexico-US borderlands, by Pulitzer Prize-winning and bookseller beloved author, Cristina Rivera Garza.Deeply …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 12th May, 10am
Welcome to Tiny Tales! At 10:00am, Claud will read a handful of brilliant new picture books carefully selected. It will last for approximately 45 minutes.Tiny Tales …
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The Shortest History of Ireland with James Hawes
Tuesday 12th May, 7pm
Number 1 Irish Times Bestseller!In The Shortest History of Ireland, James Hawes reaches beyond the clichés to tell a dramatic new story, backed up by the …
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Keza MacDonald for Super Nintendo
Wednesday 13th May, 7pm
An exploration of the cultural phenomenon that created Mario, Zelda and Pokemon, by a leading voice in the world of video games writing.Nintendo's video games occupy …
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Pioneering Vegetarian Cookery Writer Helen Graham
Thursday 14th May, 7pm
We welcome a pioneering new voice in Vegetarian Cookery with a celebration of bold, vibrant dishes designed to inspire and put vegetables exactly where they belong: …
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Queer Voices Reading Group
Sunday 17th May, 7pm
The Queer Voices Reading Group will reconvene in May to explore working-class Russian author Oksana Vasyakina's first novel Wound, translated into English by Elina Alter. From …
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Joe Woodhouse's Weeknight Vegetarian
Monday 18th May, 7pm
One of the best Vegetarian chefs in the business, Joe Woodhouse brings us Weeknight Vegetarian: Easy vegetable recipes for lunch & dinner Vibrant, easy vegetarian food …
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Robin Ince for Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal
Monday 18th May, 7pm
Join Robin Ince, comedian, actor, writer and 'becardiganed polymath', to celebrate the paperback of Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal. In this powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, …
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Sharon Blackie for Ripening
Tuesday 19th May, 7pm
'Ripening show us how we can move through life with vision and sensitivity. A fascinating, thought-provoking and authoritative read' Katherine MayIn this world, in which our …
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Ozlem Warren takes us to the heart of Istanbul's food scene
Wednesday 20th May, 7pm
'A gorgeous love letter to Istanbul. I couldn't love this book more' Diana HenryDelicious recipes inspired by the vibrant mosaic of Istanbul cuisine from the author …
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The Forager's Calendar's John Wright for Grasslands
Thursday 21st May, 7pm
'A wonderful leap, with a wise guide, into the green we thought we knew' Tristain Gooley, author of How to Read a TreeJoin author of The …
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Sophia Smith Galer for How to Kill a Language
Thursday 21st May, 7pm
As Sophia Smith Galer's Nonna lay dying, she realised it wasn't just a beloved grandmother she was losing - it was the language she spoke, too. …
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Siri Hustvedt for Ghost Stories
Friday 22nd May, 7pm
The tender memoir of the forty-three years Siri Hustvedt spent with her husband, writer, poet and filmmaker Paul Auster – from their first encounter in 80s …
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Calum Harris and Batch
Tuesday 26th May, 7pm
Effortless, flavour-packed, plant-based meals you can prep once and enjoy anytime from our favourite charismatic Vegan cook, Calum Harris.Batch is a vibrant collection of make-ahead vegan …
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Nicholas Shakespeare for Frame 37
Wednesday 27th May, 7pm
'A remarkable contemporary thriller... A triumph' William Boyd'An absorbing thriller with shades of John le Carre' Evening StandardIn a world of lies, proof is powerJohn Dyer …
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Honey & Co Daily with Itamar Srulovich & Sarit Packer
Thursday 28th May, 7pm
We're over the moon to welcome back the award-winning, magnetic husband and wife due, Sarit and Itamar from Honey & Co.Good food can make any moment …
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When The Moon Hatched's Sarah A. Parker in Bath
Friday 29th May, 7pm
Join Sarah A. Parker, beloved author of When The Moon Hatched, to celebrate the second book in the Moonfall series: The Ballad of Falling Dragons! This …
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Beefy Boys' Great British BBQ Demo
Monday 1st June, 7pm
Join us in the courtyard for a Beefy Boys' proper bangin' barbecue to celebrate Great British BBQ.The award-winning Beefy Boys - now a Bath favourite restaurant …
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An Evening with Colm Toibin
Monday 1st June, 7pm
In The News from Dublin, Colm Tóibín delves into the days and nights of those living far from home: lives of great longing, at a great …
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Skins' Hannah Murray for The Make-Believe
Tuesday 2nd June, 7pm
From the actor known for Skins and Game of Thrones, a deeply intimate, shockingly honest memoir about acting, fame, mental illness, and the struggle to leave …
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How Gambling Hijacked Sport with Darragh McGee
Tuesday 2nd June, 7pm
A pioneering investigation into the new digital age of gambling, its explosive growth and the transformational impact it is having on sport, fandom and society.A cheeky …
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Samar Yazbek for Your Presence Is a Danger to Your Life
Wednesday 3rd June, 7pm
Samar Yazbek met with hundreds of survivors from Gaza asking each of them about their experience of October 7, 2023, and what their life has been …
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Lindsey Kelk as Elle Kelk for Hit or Miss
Thursday 4th June, 7pm
Join bestselling author of Love Me Do and The Bell Witches, Lindsey Kelk, as she takes to the page as Elle Kelk for the very first …
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Writers & Lovers' Lily King for Heart the Lover
Thursday 4th June, 7pm
'Touching, thoughtful, a deeply affecting love story about time and regret' - David NichollsJoin us for an evening with NY Times Bestselling author, Finalist of the …
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Jad Youssef with Lebnani
Thursday 4th June, 7pm
Lebanese Cookery Demo, Talk & Tastings'In these recipes, Jad offers more than flavour - he shares his experiences and warmth. This book is true celebration of …
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Minette Batters for Harvest
Friday 5th June, 7pm
The first female president of the National Farmers' Union in its 110-year history tells the story of how she fought tooth and nail for British farms …
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Stephen Graham Jones
Monday 8th June, 7pm
Join us for an evening with horror icon and award winning author of The Only Good Indians Stephen Graham Jones to celebrate the paperback release of …
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Catherine Cho for The Devoted
Tuesday 9th June, 7pm
A stunning, page-turning love story of family and fate from Catherine Cho, author of the acclaimed memoir, Inferno.Eunha grows up in a quiet village in Hong …
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Millions' Frank Cottrell-Boyce to celebrate A British Childhood
Tuesday 9th June, 7pm
Beloved children's author, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, joins us in Bath to discuss his latest book: A British Childhood.In this searing, moving work of non-fiction, Frank Cottrell-Boyce tells …
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Learn How to BBQ with Genevieve Taylor
Wednesday 10th June, 7pm
Master the art of cooking over fire with a live BBQ demo with tastings in our courtyard.Bristol fire chef Genevieve Taylor's new book, How to BBQ …
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Chetna's 5 Ingredient Indian
Thursday 11th June, 7pm
'Her food is a joy, and a true celebration of eating' Nigella LawsonMaking Indian food accessible is a driving force for Chetna Makan. For the last …
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An Evening with Michael Palin
Thursday 11th June, 7pm
With his 80th birthday looming, it crossed Michael Palin's mind that now might be the time to hang up his boots, to lounge about at home, …
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World Literature Reading Group
Sunday 14th June, 7pm
Our World Literature Reading Group aims to showcase literature written outside of the anglophone world. On our journey we will make a variety of stops in …
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Graeme Corbett for Life in Bloom
Monday 15th June, 7pm
Fill your life with flowers and discover the art of natural, seasonal arranging with celebrated florist Graeme Corbett of @bloomandburn. Graeme Corbett of Bloom & Burn …
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Emily Howes for Mrs Dickens
Monday 15th June, 7pm
The woman behind The Painter's Daughters returns; from eighteenth-century Bath, following a portrait artist and his daughters, join us for a deeper glimpse into Emily Howes' …
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Olivia Laing for The Silver Book
Tuesday 16th June, 7pm
'Sublime' The New York TimesOlivia Laing is an internationally acclaimed writer and critic. They're the author of eight books, including The Lonely City, Everybody and the …
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Alison Weir for The Boleyn Secret
Wednesday 17th June, 7pm
From the author of the Six Tudor Queens series, a new novel about two Boleyn cousins, close as sisters – and the truth that will change …
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Cosy Crime & Wine with Olly Smith
Thursday 18th June, 7pm
Wine TastingJoin us for an evening of cosy crime and wine with beloved television presenter, wine expert, columnist and author: Olly Smith! Join us to discuss …
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Dr Emily Leeming with Fibre Power
Thursday 18th June, 7pm
Transform Your Energy and Feel Amazing with Dr Emily and Fibre Power.Four Weeks and 60 recipes to supercharge your health with leading scientist, dietitian and chef …
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On the Hidden History of the Female Body with Erin Maglaque and Harriet Baker
Monday 22nd June, 7pm
A bold new history of the female body, combining memoir with archival research to reveal a hidden history of birthing, caring, and desiring – with radical …
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Cal Flyn for The Savage Landscape
Tuesday 23rd June, 7pm
Cal Flyn comes to Bath to celebrate The Savage Landscape - a brilliant investigation of our relationship to the natural world. Cal's previous book, Islands of …
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Women in Classics: Slavery in the Roman Empire with Emma Southon
Wednesday 24th June, 7pm
'The most important book you'll ever read about ancient Rome' Rebecca Wragg SykesWe associate the Romans with majesty and greatness: we marvel at their straight roads …
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Ursula Ferringno & Cucina dell'Emilia-Romagna
Wednesday 24th June, 7pm
'Emilia-Romagna is a region where food is not just cooked, but lived, and Ursula tells its story with the kind of excitement and joy that only …
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Christopher de Hamel on The Migrants: A Memoir with Manuscripts
Thursday 25th June, 7pm
Join us to celebrate the new memoir from author of Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts, Christopher de Hamel!Christopher de Hamel is one of the world's best-known scholars …
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The Seven Year Slip's Ashley Poston for The Someday Garden
Friday 26th June, 7pm
Join us for an evening with Ashley Poston, author of The Seven Year Slip and The Dead Romantics, to celebrate her new novel: The Someday Garden.Ashley …
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Candice Carty-Williams for Queenie is Working on It
Tuesday 30th June, 7pm
Award-winning author Candice Carty-Williams visits Bath for her scalpel-sharp, poignant and hilarious new book, Queenie is Working on It.How is it possible for one woman to …
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Fierce Female Rage Fantasy with Soraya Bouazzaoui and C.L Clark
Wednesday 1st July, 7pm
Join us for an evening of epic fantasy, female rage and myth retelling as we welcome authors Soraya Bouazzaoui for her debut novel Aicha and C.L. …
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Oscar Winning Cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins in Bath
Thursday 2nd July, 7pm
Please note: This event has moved to Komedia, 22-23 Westgate St, Bath BA1 1EPTwo-time Academy Award winner from 16 nominations, and five-time BAFTA award winner from …
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Helen McGinn AKA Knackered Mother Wine Tasting
Thursday 2nd July, 7pm
Join TV's Wine Expert Helen McGinn (AKA Knackered Mother) to learn about some excellent wine that doesn't have to be expensive!'The perfect blend of accessible and …
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David Sedaris: A Reading and Signing
Sunday 12th July, 7pm
Join us for a reading and signing with none other than renowned humourist, David Sedaris, to celebrate the publication of The Land and Its People.Please note: …
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World Literature Reading Group
Sunday 12th July, 7pm
Our World Literature Reading Group aims to showcase literature written outside of the anglophone world. On our journey we will make a variety of stops in …
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Nightshade's Autumn Woods for Daybreak
Wednesday 29th July, 7pm
Join us for an evening with local author and friend of the bookshop, Autumn Woods, to celebrate the second book of the Sorrowsong University Duology: Daybreak!Please …
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Charles Cumming for ICARUS 17
Thursday 6th August, 7pm
Join Charles Cumming – ‘the rightful inheritor of John le Carré’s crown’ (Observer) – as he introduces Icarus 17, the latest novel in his bestselling Box …
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Mieko Kawakami for Sisters in Yellow
Wednesday 26th August, 7pm
From the International Booker Prize-Shortlisted author of Heaven and Breasts and Eggs.Hana has nothing but she's hopeful. She's fifteen years old. She lives in a tiny …
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Conclave's Robert Harris for Agrippa
Friday 28th August, 7pm
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026 IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, BBC CULTURE, THE MIRROR AND RADIO TIMES.From the bestselling author of Conclave comes a new …
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Faebound's Saara El-Arifi for Earthbound
Friday 28th August, 7pm
Join us for an evening with the beloved Sunday Times best-selling fantasy author, Saara El-Arifi, to celebrate the final instalment of the Faebound trilogy: Earthbound!Broken by …
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Valeria Luiselli for Beginning Middle End
Tuesday 1st September, 7pm
From the award-winning author of Lost Children Archive, Valeria Luiselli, comes a wondrous, tender and expansive new novel about family, memory and time.A mother and a …
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The new instalment of the Cazalet Chronicles with Louisa Young
Thursday 3rd September, 7pm
The Golden Hours is the brilliant new instalment in the beloved Cazalet Chronicles, started by Elizabeth Jane Howard and now continued by bestselling author - and …
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Bake Off's Mel Giedroyc for The Comeback
Friday 4th September, 7pm
Join us to celebrate the brand new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Mel Giedroyc - The Comeback - a funny, big-hearted story of second chances.Sometimes …
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The Appeal's Janice Hallett for The Silent Appeal
Monday 7th September, 7pm
Join us in Bath to celebrate Janice Hallett as she makes her triumphant return to Lockwood in the much anticipated sequel to her record-breaking bestselling debut …
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Chef Dara Klein with La Trattoria
Tuesday 8th September, 7pm
Fresh from Brawn and Trullo, celebrated chef, Dara Klein has just opened her own restaurant, Tiella on Colombia Road to huge acclaim and rave reviews.This is …
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Dear Grace with Claire & Grace Thomson
Wednesday 9th September, 7pm
Dear Grace is the next cookbook from beloved chef Claire Thomson (aka @5oclockapron), a warm, wise piece documents a mother's recipes and her daughter's first kitchen …
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Church Crawling: The Secret Lives and Hidden Stories of England's Churches with Rachel Morley
Wednesday 9th September, 7pm
Join Rachel Morley, Director of the Friends of Friendless Churches, in Elim Church this September to celebrate her debut book: Church Crawling. A transporting and gloriously …
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William Boyd for Cold Sunset
Thursday 10th September, 7pm
Join us to celebrate Cold Sunset with none other than William Boyd, beloved Booker Prize nominee and author of Any Human Heart! Cold War Moscow is …
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Yotam Ottolenghi and Simple Too
Tuesday 15th September, 7pm
An irresistible companion to the era defining Ottolenghi SIMPLE, we are very happy to welcome back Yotam Ottolenghi to prove that flavourful, impressive cooking can be …
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Pride & Prejudice 1995's Andrew Davies in Bath
Thursday 17th September, 7pm
Join the screenwriter behind the beloved 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Andrew Davies, to discuss his new memoir: An Unsuitable Boy.The undisputed maestro of literary …
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Mexican Soul with Santiago Lastra
Monday 21st September, 7pm
An evening with one of the most exciting Mexican chefs outside Mexico, Santiago Lastra. You don't need Mexican ingredients to cook great Mexican food - just …
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An Evening with Ben Macintyre
Monday 21st September, 7pm
Join Ben Macintyre, multimillion-copy bestselling author of Colditz, Agent Sonya, SAS: Rogue Heroes, and The Spy and the Traitor (to name a few), in Bath to …
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What Should My Children Do? Daniel Susskind on How to Flourish in the Age of AI
Thursday 24th September, 7pm
'Daniel Susskind writes with verve, style and conviction about one of the most important issues of our age' Rory StewartWhat should the next generation learn—and what …
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An Evening with Marina Hyde
Thursday 24th September, 7pm
'Hyde's columns are the solid-silver lining of Britain's political shitstorm.' - Caitlin MoranJoin us to celebrate What a Time to be Alive, a wildly funny collection …
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A.K. Blakemore for Doom Painting
Thursday 1st October, 7pm
This autumn, it is our privilege to be joined by the author of the Desmond Elliott Prize-winning The Manningtree Witches and the Dylan Thomas Prize shortlisted …
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British Museum Lectures: The Tudor Heart
Monday 5th October, 7pm
We're delighted to welcome Rachel King to the bookshop to celebrate the publication of The Tudor Heart. This new title in the British Museum's Object in …
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Joanne Harris for Sleepers in the Snow
Monday 5th October, 7pm
We are delighted to welcome Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat, back to Bath this autumn. She joins us to celebrate Sleepers in the Snow, a moving …
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Station Eleven's Emily St. John Mandel for Exit Party
Tuesday 6th October, 7pm
Join science fiction master craftsman and author of Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel, to celebrate her new novel: Exit Party. This new novel spans space …
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An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith
Friday 9th October, 7pm
Join worldwide bestselling author, Sir Alexander McCall Smith as he returns to Bath for an evening of sheer delight. The master storyteller will entertain you with …
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Pulitzer Prize Winner Hernan Diaz for Ply
Tuesday 20th October, 7pm
This autumn, we welcome Hernan Diaz, the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Booker-longlisted, Sunday Times bestselling author of Trust. In 2024, Trust was also named one of The New …
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