York Events and Reading Groups
The largest independent bookshop in the country, now open opposite York Minster. It is home to a year-round programme of author events and reading groups.
For queries about the events listed, please email york@toppingbooks.co.uk. Sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page for updates on the bookshop, events, and to be the first to know with regards to our opening date.
James Fox for Craftland
Tuesday 27th October, 7pm
James Fox is an academic and multi-award-winning, BAFTA-nominated broadcaster, known for his many acclaimed BBC documentaries.He is Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel …
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Sabriel's Garth Nix for Massif
Tuesday 27th October, 7pm
Join us for an evening with New York Times bestseller and master of speculative fiction, Garth Nix, to celebrate his first foray into the adult sci-fi …
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Wine Tasting with Julia Harding for The World Atlas of Wine
Wednesday 28th October, 7pm
We are pleased to welcome Julia Harding for the latest edition of The World Atlas of Wine. Join us for an evening of wine tasting and …
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Cooks & Books: Jess Elliott Dennison for Vegetable Recipes
Thursday 29th October, 7pm
Jess Elliott Dennison is a food writer, cook and founder of Elliott’s, her studio in Marchmont, Edinburgh. Here she hosts chefs, runs cookery workshops and tests …
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Tiny Tales Picture Book Reading Group
Sunday 1st November, 10.30am
Welcome to Spooky Tiny Tales! Enjoy storytelling in the bookshop on a Sunday morning.On Sunday 1st November, we encourage you to bring your spooky costumes while …
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Great British Architecture with Daniel Wilson
Tuesday 3rd November, 7pm
Daniel Wilson has become huge across social media by exploring Britain's incredible built heritage. Under @greatbritisharchitecture he posts the stories he uncovers about the nation's incredible …
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Lessons in Chemistry's Bonnie Garmus for Peck & Peck
Thursday 5th November, 7pm
Bonnie Garmus is a coffee-dependent American novelist. Her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, was a number one global bestseller and spent almost ninety weeks in the …
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Nick Harkaway for The Taper Man
Monday 9th November, 7pm
Please note, this event is now taking place at the Creative Centre, York St John.'Le Carre's legacy is in good hands - Smiley is back with …
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Miles Salter on The Pretenders: A Dangerous Band
Tuesday 10th November, 7pm
Miles Salter has written widely since the early 1990s, publishing journalism, fiction and poetry. He was Director of York Literature Festival (2007 – 2016) and presented …
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British Vogue's Alexandra Shulman for Black Coffee and Red Lipstick
Wednesday 11th November, 7pm
Alexandra Shulman is a writer and commentator. She was British Vogue's Editor-in-Chief from 1992 to 2017 and was awarded the CBE in the 2018 New Year's …
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Francis Spufford for Nonesuch
Thursday 12th November, 7pm
"My God can he write." ~ Richard OsmanFrancis Spufford is the author of three novels and five highly-praised works of non-fiction. His debut work of fiction …
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Sisters Brothers' Patrick deWitt for Dodge City
Friday 13th November, 7pm
'I adored every page' MAX PORTER'A perfect novel' JONATHAN LETHEMPatrick deWitt is the author of five novels including The Sisters Brothers, which won the Rogers Writers' …
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Wine tasting with Noble Rot's Dan Keeling for Pick Your Bottles
Monday 16th November, 7pm
Dan Keeling is a London-based writer, restaurateur, and wine merchant. He is the editor and co-founder of Noble Rot magazine and co-owner of three eponymous London …
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Jonathan Coe for Lessons in Harmony
Tuesday 17th November, 7pm
Please note this event will now be taking place at the Tempest Anderson Hall."Please God... if there is a next life, let me write as well …
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Tim Hayward for The Cocktail Hour
Wednesday 18th November, 7pm
Tim Hayward writes for the Financial Times and is a panellist on BBC Radio 4's The Kitchen Cabinet. He won the Guild of Food Writers 'Food …
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Cooks & Books: Alissa Timoshkina for Lozhka
Thursday 19th November, 7pm
In her latest cookbook, Lozhka, award-winning food writer and historian Alissa Timoshkina pens a love letter to Eastern European comfort food.More than a utensil, the spoon …
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Alix E. Harrow and Sunyi Dean for The Slantwise Histories
Friday 20th November, 7pm
These tales tell a different truth: Slantwise and by starlight.Join award-winning and internationally bestselling author of The Everlasting, Alix E. Harrow, for an evening celebrating her …
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Alice Loxton for A History of Britain in 21 Paintings
Friday 20th November, 7pm
Alice Loxton is a bestselling author, historian and presenter, with more than three million followers on social media (@history_alice). She is passionate about bringing history to …
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Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Group
Sunday 22nd November, 6pm
Every month after our doors have closed on a Sunday, we will meet in the bookshop to discuss a piece of SFF literature, curated by our …
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Cooks & Books: Jaq Brewer for The Saffron Table
Monday 23rd November, 7pm
'Jaq’s cooking is clever, fresh and original. Her infectious warmth shines through everything she creates and makes every meal feel special.’ ~ Sir Michael PalinJoin us …
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Cooks & Books: Freya Cox for Bake My Day
Tuesday 24th November, 7pm
Join us for some delicious tasters and talk in the bookshop to celebrate Freya's new book.Bake My Day is a joyful collection of stunning plant-based bakes …
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Emily Wilson for Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea
Wednesday 25th November, 7pm
***Unfortunately the waiting list for this event is now full and we are unable to add further names.***'Enthralling and profoundly relevant' SALMAN RUSHDIE'Joyful, illuminating and engaging' …
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Between Two Fires' Christopher Buehlman in York
Wednesday 25th November, 7pm
Join Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires and The Blacktongue Thief, to celebrate the The Thrice-Bound Fool - the epic, rollicking next chapter in the …
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John Potter on Christmas Carols: an English Enchantment
Thursday 26th November, 7pm
John Potter's books include Song, Tenor, and A History of Singing. A former member of the Hilliard Ensemble, his singing career has included first performances of …
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Children's Event: Science Quiz with Mike Barfield for Meet the Invisibles
Sunday 29th November, 11am
Come and Meet the Invisibles Man!On Sunday 29th November between 11am and 1pm, we’ll be joined by local children’s author Mike Barfield for a drop-in session …
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French Fiction Reading Group
Sunday 29th November, 6pm
To all francophiles of York and North Yorkshire, we invite you to join our monthly French Fiction reading group!Every last Sunday of the month, after our …
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Translated Fiction: Dorothy Tse for City Like Water
Monday 30th November, 7pm
"To be ushered into Tse's hallucinatory city is a revelation, an unnerving gift." ~ CHINA MIEVILLEDorothy Tse is a writer from Hong Kong. Her debut novel, …
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Tim Spector for Good Mood Food
Friday 11th December, 7pm
Tim Spector is Professor of Epidemiology at Kings College London and one of the world's leading scientists. He is the bestselling author of The Diet Myth, …
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British Museum Lectures: The Bayeux Tapestry
Thursday 4th February, 7pm
Please note, this event is now taking place at Tempest Anderson Hall. We're delighted to be joined by curator Michael Lewis to discuss the upcoming British …
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Bart van Es for True Fire: Saint Augustine in Our Age of Crisis
Wednesday 10th February, 7pm
'Spellbinding, elegant, and urgent . . . Held me from the first moment to the last.' ~ Katherine RundellBart van Es is a literary critic and …
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Michael Grieve for Asterism
Thursday 11th February, 7pm
Michael Grieve is a poet, teacher, and former bookseller with Topping & Company Booksellers of St Andrews.His work has appeared in many poetry journals, including The …
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TJ Klune for The Stars Look Like Home
Wednesday 17th February, 7pm
TJ Klune is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, …
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An Evening with Samantha Shannon
Friday 19th February, 7pm
'A masterclass in page-turning prose' - Saara El-ArifiJoin us for an evening with fantasy icon, Samantha Shannon, to celebrate the epic and heart-breaking penultimate novel of …
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Kirsty Bell for Mother's Mother
Wednesday 10th March, 7pm
Kirsty Bell is a British-born writer and critic living in Berlin. She is the author of The Undercurrents: A Story of Berlin (2022) which has been …
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James Wood for Show Us the Father
Thursday 18th March, 7pm
‘A majestic double portrait, gorgeous, spirited, tragic, the pain of it leavened by laughter and music.’ ~ Helen GarnerBorn in Durham in 1965, James Wood has …
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