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Edinburgh Events and Reading Groups

We're delighted to bring our all-year-round Literary Festival to our bookshop in Edinburgh. We have a packed calendar which ranges from readings in the bookshop to evenings with literary stars.

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A Talk and Meet & Greet with Geri Halliwell-Horner

Saturday 26th April, 1.30pm

A STAR COMES TO EDINBURGH! A Talk and Meet & Greet with Geri Halliwell-Horner - aka Ginger SpiceTimings for the day:12.15pm - Meet & Greet begins …

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RobCowenDanRichards

Rob Cowen with Dan Richards for The North Road

Monday 28th April, 7.30pm

"A haunting exploration of time, place and memory along the road to London-Edinburgh highway. Radical. Beautiful. Brilliant." ~ Robert MacfarlaneRob Cowen is an award-winning writer and …

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philippesands

East West Street's Philippe Sands for 38 Londres Street

Tuesday 29th April, 3pm

"A true masterpiece. Utterly compelling, a staggering piece of research and beautifully written." ~ HENRY MARSHBaillie Gifford winner Philippe Sands is Professor of Public Understanding of …

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kenji

Cooks & Books: Kenji Morimoto for FERMENT

Tuesday 29th April, 7.30pm

Please note, this is now taking place in Pilrig St Paul's / LARCH. "Kenji is a fermenting guru and this book is a masterclass in fermentation." …

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karim

Karim Kattan for The Palace on the Higher Hill

Wednesday 30th April, 7.30pm

Winner of the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la FrancophoniePalestinian author Karim Kattan was born in 1989 in Jerusalem and grew up in Bethlehem.His 2017 …

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twelvetriangle

Cooks & Books: Twelve Triangles' Emily Cuddeford & Rachel Morgan for Kitchen Table

Thursday 1st May, 7.30pm

Please note, this is now taking place in Pilrig St Paul's / LARCH. Join us to celebrate gorgeous debut cookbook from beloved Scottish bakery, Twelve Triangles.Rachel …

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RichardMcLauchlan

The Bagpipes: A Cultural History with Richard McLauchlan

Friday 2nd May, 7.30pm

'Richly entertaining and perceptive. A revelation for pipers like me, and for anyone interested in how an instrument can transform culture.' ~ Alastair CampbellRichard McLauchlan is …

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robinince

The Infinite Monkey Cage's Robin Ince: Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal

Saturday 3rd May, 7.30pm

"You need Robin Ince in your life." ~ Natalie HaynesRobin Ince is a comedian, actor and writer once described by the Guardian as a 'becardiganed polymath.'He …

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queerreadinggroupsistersofdorleyhouse

Queer Fiction Reading Group

Monday 5th May, 7pm

For the third installment of Sanna's Queer Fiction reading group, we will explore Alyson Greaves' Welcome to Dorley Hall.With Sanna as our guide, we will be …

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AngieLewinandChristoperStocks

Angie Lewin & Christopher Stocks for The Book of Garden Flowers

Monday 5th May, 7.30pm

Angie Lewin studied fine art at the Central School of Art and is a highly regarded artist and printmaker. Christopher Stocks is an author, journalist and …

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Poetry Reading Group

Tuesday 6th May, 7pm

We have three new selections for our poetry reading group! With Zain as our guide, we will be immersing ourselves in a range of exciting voices …

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Alice Vincent for Hark: How Women Listen

Tuesday 6th May, 7.30pm

Alice Vincent is the author of four books, including Why Women Grow and Rootbound: Rewilding a Life, both longlisted for the Wainwright Prize and named as …

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MaryFemFicNo1

Mary's Feminist Fiction Reading Group

Wednesday 7th May, 7pm

We are back with the wonderful Feminist Fiction Reading Group! A place to discover and enjoy a range of titles and themes lovingly hand picked by …

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AH Reading Group 2

The New Frontiers: Contemporary Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group

Thursday 8th May, 7pm

You asked, we answered; due to popular demand, we’ve opened up a second Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group!Join Andrew as he leads you on a guided …

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philiphoarewebsite

Philip Hoare for William Blake and The Sea Monsters of Love

Thursday 8th May, 7.30pm

'An impassioned magnum opus celebrating Blake's star-shaken genius by discovering his lineage everywhere in the author's own crystal cabinet of artists and outlaws. A tremendous literary …

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DavidFarrier

David Farrier for Nature's Genius

Friday 9th May, 7.30pm

'A book that shows how we might evolve to solve the problems we have caused our planet. Brilliantly written, surprising, inspiring and, ultimately, hopeful.' ~ ISABELLA …

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Joe Abercrombie for The Devils

Saturday 10th May, 7.30pm

Bestselling and Locus award-winning author Joe Abercrombie joins us for the release of his new book The Devils, a dark fantasy set in a version of …

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Of This and Other Worlds - Science Fiction Reading Group

Monday 12th May, 7.20pm

Continuing into 2025, we’ll be carrying on our Fantasy and Science Fiction reading group, exploring worlds both fantastical and horrific, monstrous and utopian. Whether your interests …

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adamnicolsonwebsite

Adam Nicolson for Bird School

Monday 12th May, 7.30pm

Adam Nicolson is an award-winning nature writer with a deep knowledge of the Scottish landscape. Some of his notable nature works include Sea Room about the …

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julielin

Cooks & Books: Julie Lin for SAMA SAMA

Tuesday 13th May, 7.30pm

"Food has the power to stir memories, bring people together, transport you to new places, and, most importantly, take you home. Julie captures all of this …

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Piece by Piece: Patchwork & Quilting Talk with Lauren MacDonald

Wednesday 14th May, 7.30pm

Lauren MacDonald is a designer, maker and founder of textile studio Working Cloth. She's made every sewing project under the sun but is perhaps best known …

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renatocisneros

Renato Cisneros for The World We Saw Burning

Thursday 15th May, 7.30pm

"Who is able to recount and connect, on the basis of a chance encounter between two Peruvians in a taxi in Madrid, the uprooting of the …

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Fantasy

Contemporary Fantasy Panel featuring Stephen Aryan, Annabel Campbell, and Gareth Hanrahan

Saturday 17th May, 7.30pm

We are thrilled to welcome three acclaimed names of the fantasy genre - Stephen Aryan, Annabel Campbell, and Gareth Hanrahan - join us to celebrate their …

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sarahmoss

Sarah Moss for Ripeness

Monday 19th May, 7.30pm

Please note, this event is now taking place in Pilrig St Paul's / LARCH on Leith Walk. 'One of our very best contemporary novelists' ~ Independent'Moss …

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Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones for By Your Side

Tuesday 20th May, 11am

Please note, this is now taking place in Ps&Gs, York Place.Ruth Jones MBE is well known for her television work, most notably BBC One's multi-award-winning Gavin …

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MiaIrishFicMay

Irish Fiction Reading Group: Contemporary and Classic

Tuesday 20th May, 7pm

Fáilte romhat! Our next reading group will be Irish Fiction: Contemporary and Classic Writing. We’ll be immersing ourselves in a range of Irish writing, expanding the …

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tarehehmafi

Shatter Me's Tahereh Mafi for Watch Me

Wednesday 21st May, 7.30pm

We are thrilled to be hosting #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author Tahereh Mafi as part of her first UK tour to celebrate …

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Square Haunting's Francesca Wade on Gertrude Stein

Wednesday 21st May, 7.30pm

From the author of the critically acclaimed Square Haunting comes a biography as unconventional and surprising as the life it tells...Francesca Wade is the author of …

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Zoe VenditozziClaire Mitchell

The Witches of Scotland: Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell for How to Kill a Witch

Monday 26th May, 7.30pm

'Serious and angry, but so completely accessible, How To Kill A Witch is a work of real historical investigation and a fierce warning for our times.' …

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chloedalton

Chloe Dalton for Raising Hare

Monday 26th May, 7.30pm

'A beautiful book' - ANGELINA JOLIE'I will be recommending this to everyone' - MATT HAIG__THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025SHORTLISTED …

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Gill Hornby for The Elopement ~ Jane Austen's 250th Anniversary

Tuesday 27th May, 7.30pm

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth - and, fittingly, we are welcoming back Gill Hornby, to celebrate The Elopement, the sequel to her …

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Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age with Bruce Peter

Wednesday 28th May, 7.30pm

Bruce Peter is a Professor of Design History at Glasgow School of Art. He is the author of a number of architecture and design books, primarily …

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from scenes like these

The Lost Scottish Cult-Classic: James Robertson & Alan Taylor on Gordon M Williams' From Scenes Like These

Thursday 29th May, 7.30pm

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FIRST EVER BOOKER PRIZE'A MASTERPIECE... DEMANDS TO BE READ' - DOUGLAS STUART, AUTHOR OF SHUGGIE BAINGordon M. Williams (1934 - 2017) was born …

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GabrielZuchtriegelWebsite

Unearthing the Real Pompeii with Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park in Pompeii

Friday 30th May, 7.30pm

Please note, this is now taking place in Ps&Gs, York Place.'The best book on Pompeii I've ever read' ~ STEPHEN FRYGabriel Zuchtriegel is Director General of …

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hillfire vol 4 launch

Hillfire Anthology Volume 4

Friday 30th May, 7.30pm

It is our pleasure to welcome various contributors to the latest Hillfire Anthology. Join us to hear selected readings from the new volume, and listen to …

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BeeWilsonWebsite

Cooks & Books: Bee Wilson for The Heart-Shaped Tin

Saturday 31st May, 7.30pm

*A 2025 book of the year from Guardian and Sunday Times"Bee Wilson is one of my favourite writers and this may be her best book" ~ …

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Heather Darwent for A Sharp Scratch

Monday 2nd June, 7.30pm

Heather Darwent is based in Edinburgh, the setting for her Sunday Times bestselling debut, The Things We Do To Our Friends.She joins us for her second …

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Francesca Segal for Island Calling

Tuesday 3rd June, 7.30pm

Francesca Segal is an award-winning writer and journalist. She is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, The Innocents (2012) and The Awkward Age (2017), and …

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GuadalupeNettel

Guadalupe Nettel for The Accidentals

Wednesday 4th June, 7.30pm

Guadalupe Nettel is the author of the international award winning novels El huesped [The Guest], The Body Where I Was Born, After the Winter (Herralde Novel …

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geoffdyer

Geoff Dyer for Homework: A Memoir

Thursday 5th June, 7.30pm

"Moving, atmospheric, truthful, perceptive and hilariously funny - I loved it: a piece of our English history, the story of a vanished time, which feels close …

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FemFicJune25

Mary's Feminist Fiction Reading Group

Friday 6th June, 7pm

We are back with the wonderful Feminist Fiction Reading Group! A place to discover and enjoy a range of titles and themes lovingly hand picked by …

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Sanna reading group rubyfruit

Queer Fiction Reading Group

Monday 9th June, 7pm

For the fourth installment of Sanna's Queer Fiction reading group, we will explore Rita Mae Brown's classic coming-of-age novel, Rubyfruit Jungle. One of the first mainstream …

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AH RG 3

The New Frontiers: Contemporary Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group

Thursday 12th June, 7pm

You asked, we answered; due to popular demand, we’ve opened up a second Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group!Join Andrew as he leads you on a guided …

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FRANCESWILSON

Electric Spark: the Enigma of Muriel Spark with Frances Wilson

Thursday 12th June, 7.30pm

'Frances Wilson writes books that blow your hair back' ~ KATHERINE RUNDELLA 2025 HIGHLIGHT FOR: Telegraph, Financial Times, Guardian, Observer and Scotsman.From one of our leading …

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Of This and Other Worlds - Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Group

Monday 16th June, 7.20pm

Heading on into 2025, we’ll be continuing our Fantasy and Science Fiction reading group, exploring worlds both fantastical and horrific, monstrous and utopian. Whether your interests …

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michaelpedersen

Michael Pedersen with Jackie Kay for Muckle Flugga

Monday 16th June, 7.30pm

Please note, this event is now taking place in Pilrig St Paul's / LARCH.Michael Pedersen is a prize-winning poet and author of Boy Friends, which was …

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tomhollandwebsite

The Rest Is History's Tom Holland on The Lives of the Caesars

Wednesday 18th June, 3pm

Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, biographer and broadcaster - and the presents the world's most popular history podcast, The Rest Is History.Tom is the author …

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ChiaraValerioWebsite

Chiara Valerio on The Little I Knew

Thursday 19th June, 7.30pm

Chiara Valerio was born in Scauri in 1978 and lives in Rome. She is a novelist, editor, critic, cultural commentator and mathematician and has published essays, …

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MaggieStiefvaterWebsite

Maggie Stiefvater for The Listeners

Friday 20th June, 7.30pm

'A marvel: strange, witty, moving, exuberant... at once gloriously extravagant and perfectly poised' ROBERT MACFARLANEMaggie Stiefvater is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of …

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SAMITAMIMI

Cooks & Books: Ottolenghi's Sami Tamimi for Boustany: Palestinian Vegetarian Cooking

Monday 23rd June, 7.30pm

Sami Tamimi was born in Jerusalem. He became head chef of Lilith, one of the top restaurants in Tel Aviv, before moving to London. In 2002 …

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poetryreadinggroup_stagsleap

Poetry Reading Group

Tuesday 24th June, 7pm

We have three new selections for our poetry reading group! With Zain as our guide, we will be immersing ourselves in a range of exciting voices …

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madelinepotterwebsite

Madeline Potter on The Roma: A Travelling History

Thursday 26th June, 7.30pm

Madeline Potter was born in Romania in 1989 and grew up Romani in nineties post-Communist Romania. She now lives in Scotland and is a scholar of …

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johamilton.

Jo Hamilton: Why Are You Here, Mrs Hamilton? The Post Office, Horizon and My Fight for Justice

Monday 30th June, 7.30pm

'Jo is an inspiration', Monica Dolan, who played Jo in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post OfficeImmortalised in the Bafta award-winning ITV drama, Mr …

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iainmacgregor

The Hiroshima Men: The Quest to Build the Atomic Bomb with Iain MacGregor

Tuesday 1st July, 7.30pm

"The Hiroshima Men is a meticulously researched and profoundly thought-provoking account of one of history’s most consequential events... More than just a work of history, this …

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MaryFemficJuly

Mary's Feminist Fiction Reading Group

Wednesday 2nd July, 7pm

We are back with the wonderful Feminist Fiction Reading Group! A place to discover and enjoy a range of titles and themes lovingly hand picked by …

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rosemarygoringwebsite

Rosemary Goring for Exile: The Captive Years of Mary, Queen of Scots

Thursday 3rd July, 7.30pm

Rosemary Goring has been the literary editor of Scotland on Sunday, The Herald and Sunday Herald.Rosemary's previous books include the bestselling Scotland: The Autobiography; Scotland: Her …

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Queer Fiction Reading Group

Tuesday 8th July, 7pm

For the fifth installment of Sanna's Queer Fiction reading group, we will explore Oisín McKenna’s Evenings and Weekends - a poignant exploration of modern relationships, capturing …

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BenAaronovitchWebsiteStoneSk

Ben Aaronovitch for Stone and Sky

Tuesday 8th July, 7.30pm

THE BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON COMES TO SCOTLAND!Before becoming a bestselling author, Ben Aaronovitch was a screenwriter for Doctor Who and a bookseller. He now writes …

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JULY AH READING GROUP

The New Frontiers: Contemporary Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group

Thursday 10th July, 7pm

You asked, we answered; due to popular demand, we’ve opened up a second Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reading Group!Join Andrew as he leads you on a guided …

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BudgieAbsence

Siouxsie and The Banshees' Budgie for The Absence

Thursday 10th July, 7.30pm

As a member of Big in Japan, The Slits and, most famously, Siouxsie and The Banshees and The Creatures, 'Budgie' became one of the era-defining drummers …

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JOHNNIVEN

John Niven for The Fathers

Tuesday 15th July, 7.30pm

"Vivid, visceral, brilliantly funny in places, dispensing sharp punches to the gut in others..." ~ Guardian on John Niven's writingJohn Niven is the author of twelve …

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poetryreadinggroup_modernpoetry

Poetry Reading Group

Wednesday 16th July, 7pm

We have three new selections for our poetry reading group! With Zain as our guide, we will be immersing ourselves in a range of exciting voices …

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Alan Parks

Alan Parks for Gunner

Tuesday 22nd July, 7.30pm

Partly inspired by the true story of Rudolph Hess's secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during WWII, Gunner is an atmospheric and addictive new thriller …

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irvinewelshmeninlovewebsite

Irvine Welsh for Men in Love: a Trainspotting sequel

Thursday 24th July, 7.30pm

* A Guardian and Standard BOOK OF 2025 *Choose life. Choose love? The Trainspotting crew fall for rave and romance in the blazing new novel from …

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Queer reading group5

Queer Fiction Reading Group

Monday 11th August, 7pm

For the sixth installment of Sanna's Queer Fiction reading group, we will explore Anna Dorn’s 2024 novel Pain and Perfume. Unapologetically feminine yet ribald, steamy and …

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justin lee anderson

Justin Lee Anderson for The Damned King

Tuesday 19th August, 7.30pm

Join us for an evening of fantasy action with Justin Lee Anderson to talk about the third book in The Eidyn Saga, The Damned King. Inspired …

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TimSpector

Tim Spector for Ferment: The Life-Changing Power of Microbes

Wednesday 10th September, 7pm

The legendary Tim Spector joins us for his new cookbook Ferment: The Life-Changing Power of Microbes.Tim Spector, MD, is Professor of Epidemiology at King's College London. …

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clarejacksonwebsite

Clare Jackson on The Mirror of Great Britain: A Life of James VI & I

Thursday 11th September, 7pm

Clare Jackson is Honorary Professor of Early Modern History at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Trinity Hall.She has presented a number of highly successful programmes …

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hannahritchieclearingtheair

Hannah Ritchie for Clearing the Air: A Hopeful Guide to Solving Climate Change

Tuesday 16th September, 7pm

Dr Hannah Ritchie is Senior Researcher in the Programme for Global Development at the University of Oxford. She is also Deputy Editor at the highly influential …

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British Museum Lectures: Ice Age Art Now

Wednesday 17th September, 7pm

Join us as we pair once more with the British Museum to bring to life an evening that celebrates humankind's connection and drive towards artmaking.Curator Jill …

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KatherineRundellWebsite

Katherine Rundell for The Poisoned King

Thursday 18th September, 6pm

'Readers will seize this with delight.' ~ Philip Pullman on Impossible Creatures'There was Tolkien, there is Pullman and now there is Katherine Rundell.' ~ Michael MorpurgoKatherine …

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dofermentevents

Cooks & Books: Do Ferment with Matthew Pennington & Nicola Cradock

Friday 19th September, 7pm

Matthew Pennington is co-author of The Ethicurean Cookbook and co-founder of The Ethicurean restaurant, renowned for its commitment to sustainable practices and innovative approach.Over its decade-long …

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davidnichollswebsite

David Nicholls for You Are Here

Monday 29th September, 7pm

One of the best novels of the year for the Sunday TimesA book of the year pick in the Guardian, Observer, Independent, GQ, & more.ONE OF …

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marianboswell

The Kindest Garden: A Practical Guide to Regenerative Gardening with Marian Boswall

Monday 29th September, 7pm

"I found myself crying 'yes, yes, yes!' to every page of this beautiful, inspiring, visionary yet practical and compassionate book. This is how we can garden …

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malcolmgaskillwebsite

Malcolm Gaskill for The Glass Mountain

Tuesday 30th September, 7pm

Malcolm Gaskill is Emeritus Professor of Early Modern History at the University of East Anglia. One of Britain's leading experts in the history of witchcraft, his …

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Golden and Lebbon

In Conversation with Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

Tuesday 30th September, 7pm

As October draws close, join us for an evening of horror from two Bram Stoker Award-Winning legends of the genre, Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, to …

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ML RIO

M. L. Rio for Hot Wax

Monday 13th October, 7pm

This October we are overjoyed to host M. L. Rio for her latest novel, Hot Wax, a nostalgic love-letter to the late 80s rock and roll …

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cl clark

CL Clark for Fate's Bane

Tuesday 4th November, 7pm

Award winning author, and bookseller favourite, C. L. Clark comes to Edinburgh for the release of their brand new novella; Fate's Bane. Delve in the fens …

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katyhesselwebsite

The Story of Art Without Men's Katy Hessel for How To Live An Artful Life

Tuesday 11th November, 7pm

This November, we are joined by the author of The Story of Art Without Men for her new book How to Live an Artful Life.Katy Hessel …

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