Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath and Ely

Ticket Booking
To book tickets for any of our events, please phone us on (01225) 428111, or drop into the bookshop.

The independent literary festival - all year round!
FEBRUARY
Robert Goddard
Thursday 4th February

Long Time Coming is the latest novel from the master of the thriller, Robert Goddard. As mysterious and gripping as ever, it stretches back to WWII in search of the truth.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

June Hall Poetry Evening
Thursday 11th February

Hall's theme in her second poetry collection is facing change in response to life's blows, opportunities and transitions. "Powerfully articulate" - Observer. 50p from each copy goes to research into Parkinson's Disease.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Jannina Tredwell
Thursday 18th February

A Bit Far for You Dear is the fascinating story of a woman's 4,500 mile trek around the mainland coast of Britain. On this inspiring journey around our island, Jannina introduces characters and places with humour and insight.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £6 with £6 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Martin Amis
Tuesday 23rd February

We are delighted to welcome one of this country's leading literary figures to Topping & Company for an event celebrating the publication of The Pregnant Widow, his latest book. A tragic, yet comic tale of the sexual revolution in Britain, which Amis argues is not yet over, but merely in its second trimester. This will be a fascinating evening!
St. Michael's Church, 7.30pm for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Carol Ann Duffy
Wednesday 24th February

Part of the Topping & Company Year of Picador
Join the poet laureate for an event marking the publication of Love Poetry, a collection of some of Carol Ann Duffy's most popular poems. Taking us from the dizzying highs of love to the soul-crushing lows, it showcases her skilful and unique style, which is well attuned to the complexities of modern life.
St. Mary's Church, Bathwick, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £8 with £8 off the book. Reception. Tickets £6 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Simon Winder
Thursday 25th February

Part of the Topping & Company Year of Picador
Germania is a very personal guide to Germany. Often eccentric, always entertaining, Winder reveals the hidden sides to a country that he really loves.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Tim Weaver
Friday 26th February

Join us for an evening with local crime writer, Tim Weaver, to celebrate the publication of his first novel, Chasing The Dead. Alex Towne's body was found a year ago - yet his mother believes that she has seen him on the street. When missing persons investigator, David Raker reluctantly takes on the case, he expects it to be a simple case of mistaken identity; but as the ghosts of both Alex and David's pasts become apparent, David finds himself facing terrible danger.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £6 with £6 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

MARCH
Philip Gross
Tuesday 2nd March

We welcome poet, novelist and playwright Philip Gross back to Bath to hear about his powerful and reflective new collection of poems, The Water Table, recently awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry. "Great Poetry is like walking on water" and Gross, and in this humane collection, he achieves this with ease.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Chris Skidmore
Tuesday 9th March

There was much speculation as to who Queen Elizabeth I would marry, and when she would produce an heir. Death and the Virgin tells her story.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Joanna Trollope
Thursday 11th March

Join the highly acclaimed best selling author of Friday Nights and Second Honeymoon to talk about her new novel, The Other Family. It is a topical and heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, bonds and betrayal.
St. Swithin's Church, 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets £8 with £8 off the book. Reception. Tickets £6 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Robin Robertson
Thursday 11th March

Part of the Topping & Company Year of Picador
Celebrated and award-winning poet Robin Robertson comes to Bath for the publication of his fourth collection of poetry, The Wrecking Light.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

John Simpson
Tuesday 16th March

We are delighted to welcome back to Bath award winning journalist and bestselling author John Simpson to discuss his new book Unreliable Sources. In his latest work, Simpson explores the nature and history of the free press in Britain. As one of the leading contemporary journalists, with unrivalled experience in the field, Simpson is ideally placed to bring this fascinating subject to light. As well as being an engaging writer and legendary broadcaster he is also a captivating speaker. This is sure to be a fascinating evening and we would urge you not to miss it.
St. Michael's Church, 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets £8 with £8 off the book. Reception. Tickets £6 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Richard Mabey
Wednesday 17th March

"Britain's greatest living nature writer" brings twenty-five years experience to his latest book of reflections on the natural world, A Brush with Nature. A collection of his columns for BBC Wildlife, which he has written for over two decades, it is a fascinating exploration of the way natural history has increasingly become part of our awareness over the last 25 years.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Philip Gooden
Thursday 18th March

The Story of English: How the English Language Conquered the World traces the journey of the English language from its Germanic roots, through the Gallic changes wrought by William the Conqueror, to the achievements of great literary figures such as Chaucer and Shakespeare. In this fascinating tale of linguistic, social and cultural transformation, Philip Gooden tells the story of how English grew from its intriguing origins to become the linguistic equivalent of a superpower.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Adrian Tinniswood
Thursday 25th March

In Pirates of Barbary: Corsairs, Conquests and Captivity in 17th-century Mediterranean, Adrian Tinniswood brings to life the fascinating world of the European renegades and Islamic sea-rovers who stalked the Mediterranean throughout the seventeenth century. Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, such as the private letters of pirates and their victims, furious royal proclamations and recent Islamic accounts, Tinniswood paints a remarkable picture of a wild and exotic people.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Alex Butterworth
Monday 29th March

The World That Never Was is a masterful exploration of the strange twists and turns of history; a true story of dreamers, schemers, anarchists and secret agents of the late nineteenth century.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Gervase Phinn Lunch
Tuesday 30th March

Join the hilariously funny Gervase Phinn for lunch. Road to the Dales is a poignant and comic account of growing up in Yorkshire during the '50s.
St. Michael's Church, 12.30 lunch for 1.15pm talk. Tickets £12 with £12 off the book. Reception. Tickets £10 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Lee Child
Tuesday 30th March

61 Hours is Jack Reacher's latest adventure. He's travelling light, without even a coat as protection from the elements, but Reacher is ready for the task in hand...
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Susan Fletcher
Wednesday 31st March

Winner of the Whitbread First Novel Award for her best-selling Eve Green, Fletcher's latest, Corrag, is the story of a girl caught up in the 1692 Massacre at Glencoe, then sentenced to death for witchcraft and murder. This is a beautiful novel which explores both the unrest of the period as well as the power and unpredictability of friendship. Another wonderful book from an extremely talented young British writer.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

APRIL
Philip Pullman
Thursday 1st April

Published by Canongate as part of their Myths series, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is Philip Pullman's spellbinding retelling of the life of Jesus. We are delighted to welcome Philip Pullman to Bath to discuss his new work, which is part novel, part history and part fairytale. Pullman will discuss the tensions inherent in the dual nature of Jesus Christ and will explore some of the myths and mysteries of the gospels that have helped shape human history in the last two millennia.
The Guildhall, 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets £9 with £9 off the book. Reception.
Tickets £7 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Lionel Shriver
Thursday 8th April

We welcome Orange prize-winning author Lionel Shriver back to Bath to celebrate the publication of her latest book, So Much for That.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Chloë Schama
Tuesday 20th April

Chloë Schama's biography of Theresa Yelverton explores the struggle of an ordinary woman in her desperate attempt to release herself from her bigamist husband in Victorian England. Catapulted into fame, Yelverton experienced the unsettling issues of being a single woman in Victorian society and, having had her fortune consumed by her former husband, supported herself thereafter by writing about her travels.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Graham Robb
Thursday 29th April

Part of the Topping & Company Year of Picador
Parisians is an entertaining collection of the stories of the many ordinary and extraordinary inhabitants of Paris, told with Graham Robb's customary attention to detail.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

MAY
Richard Bertinet Talk and Tastings
Wednesday 5th May

The owner of Bath's own Bertinet Kitchen brings us his latest must-have cookery book, Cook, following 50 classic recipes to inspire kitchen confidence and culinary creativity. Join us in a tasting with Richard Bertinet as he explains how simple overlooked techniques can be adapted for all dishes and recipes, allowing anyone to have fun and enjoyable cooking experiences.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £8 with £8 off the book. Reception. Tickets £6 when booked in person at the bookshop.

John Kay
Tuesday 11th May

John Kay is one of Britain leading economists as well as being a weekly columnist for the Financial Times. In his new book Obliquity he puts forward the theory that whether you are overcoming geographical obstacles, winning battles or meetings sales targets, the direct approach is often not the most effective. This is a provocative, absorbing and entertaining book that we can all learn from and enjoy.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Faber New Poets
Tuesday 25th May

Join us for an entertaining night of poetry where we will listen to the best poets of this generation as they read from their latest collections. The four poets of the evening will be Joe Dunthorne, whose début Submarine is being currently being adapted into a film; Annie Katchinska who was a Foyle Young Poet of the year in both 2006 and 2007; Sam Riviere, who won a 2009 Eric Gregory Award; and Tom Warner who is the Poet in Residence for Newark-on-Trent for 2009-10. A rare chance to hear tomorrow's voices today.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with two vouchers entitling you to £3.50 off two different books. Reception.
Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Barbara Trapido
Wednesday 26th May

Sex and Stravinsky, the latest novel from Barbara Trapido, draws together a cast of characters like dancers on a stage; Josh, teaching mime, Zoe, desperate for ballet lessons and Hattie, dreaming of Stravinsky's Pulcinella. Their separate lives interweave and gravitate towards the mysterious boy Jack. Another lyrical novel from this three times Whitbread nominated author.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Bill Bryson Signing
Friday 28th May

Beloved American author Bill Bryson is joining us to sign copies of his latest book, At Home, in which he studies the history of humans through a domestic telescope. With delightful digressions into the history of nearly everything else, from food preservation to toilets, this witty, insightful and enjoyable book will delight and fascinate readers.
The Bookshop, 4pm - 7pm. Tickets £20, including a copy of the book. Reception. Each ticket admits 3 people.

David Mitchell
Friday 28th May

David Mitchell's eagerly awaited new novel is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet. A junior clerk in Japan is tasked with exposing the previous Chief Resident's corruption. He becomes dangerously intrigued by a midwife, leading to disastrous betrayal by those they trust the most. Don't miss the brilliant author of Cloud Atlas.
St. Swithin's Church, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

JULY
Richard Francis
Thursday 1st July

The Old Spring follows a day in the life of a West Country pub, exploring the hopes and fears of its regulars and staff. Come and celebrate a well-loved British instituion.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Jekka McVicar
Tuesday 20th July

Jekka McVicar's passion for herbs is shown in this brilliant new book, Jekka's Herb Cookbook. Learn how to use herbs to their full potential! "The queen of herbs" - Jamie Oliver.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

Jackie Kay
Tuesday 27th July

Part of the Topping & Company Year of Picador
Red Dust Road is the memoir of renowned poet and novelist Jackie Kay. A frank and moving account of her life so far, written with humour, pathos and generosity.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

OCTOBER
Chris Mullan
Thursday 7th October

The eagerly awaited second volume of Chris Mullan's brilliantly observed diaries, which follows on from A View From The Foothills, focuses on the events of the general election in a highly amusing and entertaining read accessible far beyond the political classes. Join us for a talk with one of Britain's most loved MPs.
The Bookshop, 7.45 for 8pm. Tickets £7 with £7 off the book. Reception. Tickets £5 when booked in person at the bookshop.

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Events at a glance

Robert Goddard
Thursday 4th February

June Hall Poetry Evening
Thursday 11th February

Jannina Tredwell
Thursday 18th February

Martin Amis
Tuesday 23rd February

Carol Ann Duffy
Wednesday 24th February

Simon Winder
Thursday 25th February

Tim Weaver
Friday 26th February

Philip Gross
Tuesday 2nd March

Chris Skidmore
Tuesday 9th March

Joanna Trollope
Thursday 11th March

Robin Robertson
Thursday 11th March

John Simpson
Tuesday 16th March

Richard Mabey
Wednesday 17th March

Philip Gooden
Thursday 18th March

Adrian Tinniswood
Thursday 25th March

Alex Butterworth
Monday 29th March

Gervase Phinn Lunch
Tuesday 30th March

Lee Child
Tuesday 30th March

Susan Fletcher
Wednesday 31st March

Philip Pullman
Thursday 1st April

Lionel Shriver
Thursday 8th April

Chloë Schama
Tuesday 20th April

Graham Robb
Thursday 29th April

Richard Bertinet Talk and Tastings
Wednesday 5th May

John Kay
Tuesday 11th May

Faber New Poets
Tuesday 25th May

Barbara Trapido
Wednesday 26th May

Bill Bryson Signing
Friday 28th May

David Mitchell
Friday 28th May

Richard Francis
Thursday 1st July

Jekka McVicar
Tuesday 20th July

Jackie Kay
Tuesday 27th July

Chris Mullan
Thursday 7th October