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.
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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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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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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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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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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Conn Iggulden for Inferno
Tuesday 16th June, 7pm
One of the great masters of historical fiction, Conn Iggulden joins us to mark the publication of the final book in his bestselling Nero trilogy, Inferno.The …
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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
To use the ramp for wheelchair users at the venue (Elim Church) please contact us in advance so we can make sure you are looked after …
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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
Four Weeks and 60 recipes to supercharge your health with leading scientist, dietitian Emily Leeming by your side. One nutrient could transform your health and how …
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Queer Voices Reading Group
Sunday 21st June, 7pm
Happy Pride month everyone! For June, we will be reading the Scottish author Michael Pedersen's debut novel Muckle Flugga.It’s no ordinary existence on the rugged isle …
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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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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 23rd June, 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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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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Bath Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror Reading Group
Wednesday 24th June, 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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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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Harriet Beveridge with Will it Make the Boat go Faster
Tuesday 30th June, 7pm
Local author, Harriet Beveridge launches the 3rd edition of the bestselling cult classic, Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?'A compelling read' Sir Chris HoyHaving sold …
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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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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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Oscar Winning Cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins in Bath
Thursday 2nd July, 7pm
Please note that this event has moved to Komedia.Two-time Academy Award winner from 16 nominations, and five-time BAFTA award winner from 11 nominations, Sir Roger Deakins …
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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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David Sedaris: A Reading and Signing
Sunday 12th July, 7pm
Please note: unlike our usual event format, this is a chance to hear a 10-minute reading from David, followed by a signing.Meet renowned humourist, David Sedaris, …
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Edward Shawcross on Napoleon III: The People's Emperor
Monday 13th July, 7pm
Edward Shawcross, author of The Last Emperor of Mexico, brings us his riotously entertaining biography of 'the other Napoleon', The People's Emperor: The Unlikely Rise and …
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Queer Voices Reading Group
Sunday 19th July, 7pm
For the July meet of the Queer Voices Reading Group, we'll be settling in to the season with Ekin Oklap's debut sapphic novel!One afternoon at the …
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Peter Fiennes for En Route: A Journey Round France in the Company of Great Writers
Monday 20th July, 7pm
This summer, we will be treated to a visit from Peter Fiennes, the critically acclaimed author of A Thing of Beauty and Footnotes. In celebration of …
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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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Alice Roberts for The Goddess Queen
Tuesday 1st September, 7pm
There was a moment, just over two thousand years ago, when the whole Mediterranean world could have been ruled by a woman.The Roman Republic was crumbling, …
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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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Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles: Louisa Young for The Golden Hours
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
To use the ramp for wheelchair users at the venue (Elim Church) please contact us in advance so we can make sure you are looked after …
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Children's Imaginative Mending Workshop with Celia Pym for Socks
Thursday 10th September, 6pm
Join us for a mending workshop with textile artist Celia Pym, to celebrate the publication of her latest book, Socks.Vouchers cover the cost of a copy …
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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 a …
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Tomes: a Big Book reading group
Monday 14th September, 7pm
Join us for Tomes, a new quarterly reading group for Big Books - novels over five hundred pages. Tomes meets less regularly than our other reading …
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Mel Pennant for Miss Hortense and the Last Rites
Monday 14th September, 7pm
Join Bath Topping & Company Booksellers to celebrate Mel Pennant for the exciting next installment with the witty, sharp-tongued and ever enticing Miss Hortense and the …
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Ed Conway for Trade World
Tuesday 15th September, 7pm
From the award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Material World, a story that will take you from ancient civilizations, empire and globalisation through to the …
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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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Alasdair Gill for Knives and Spoons: On Kitchens, Addictions and Mayhem
Wednesday 16th September, 7pm
'Not only a beautifully written, outrageously funny tale of kitchen excess, but a story of hope, love, cooking and redemption. Brilliant.' TOM PARKER-BOWLES'There's no doubt that …
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An Evening with LK Steven and Samantha Shannon
Wednesday 16th September, 7pm
Join us for an evening of epic fantasy with LK Steven, beloved author of the Silvercloak and Our Infinite Fates, for the exciting second instalment of …
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Pride and Prejudice 1995's Andrew Davies in Bath
Thursday 17th September, 7pm
The screenwriter behind the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Andrew Davies, will discuss his new memoir, An Unsuitable Boy, at St. Swithin's Church. We're excited …
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Daniel Mason for Country People
Thursday 17th September, 7pm
This autumn, we are delighted to welcome award-winning novelist Daniel Mason back to the bookshop to celebrate his forthcoming book, Country People.'Told with warmth and wit, …
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Katabasis' R.F. Kuang for Taipei Story
Friday 18th September, 7pm
Taipei Story is the new novel from phenomenon Rebecca F. Kuang, a moving coming-of-age story that explores first love, second language and final goodbyes during one …
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Caroline Quentin and Drawn to Nature
Sunday 20th September, 7pm
Discover how to find joy and calm in the natural world with Caroline Quentin's warm journey into nature, wherever you live and whatever your space.Following the …
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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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An Evening with Marina Hyde
Tuesday 22nd September, 7pm
'Hyde's columns are the solid-silver lining of Britain's political shitstorm' Caitlin MoranJoin us to celebrate a wildly funny collection from Britain's favourite columnist, Sunday Times bestselling …
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Hermione Lee on Anita Brookner
Tuesday 22nd September, 7pm
The groundbreaking biography of Booker Prize-winning novelist and art historian Anita Brookner, from one of our leading literary biographers. Hermione Lee reveals the full story of …
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What Should My Children Do? Daniel Susskind on How to Flourish in the Age of AI
Thursday 24th September, 7pm
To use the ramp for wheelchair users at the venue (Elim Church) please contact us in advance so we can make sure you are looked after …
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A Garden Love Story with Paul Weiland
Friday 25th September, 7pm
A Garden Love Story: The Restoration of Belcombe Court’s historic gardens.This evening Belcombe Court's owner, Paul Weiland will give tour of the grounds and be in …
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Rachel Harrison for Kiss Slay Replay
Wednesday 30th September, 7pm
Join us for an evening with New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harrison to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Kiss Slay Replay.Every wedding guest's …
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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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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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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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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 Exit Party.This new novel spans space and time, introducing a …
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Susie Dent for Death Writ Large
Wednesday 7th October, 7pm
The excellent wordsmith & Lexicographer Susie Dent joins us in October for her new novel in the Clarendon Lexicographer mysteries, Death Writ Large.When mysterious symbols appear …
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Sabrina Ghayour and Persiana One
Wednesday 7th October, 7pm
'Sabrina Ghayour's Middle-Eastern plus food is all flavour, no fuss - and makes me very, very happy' Nigella LawsonWe're so happy to welcome back The Queen …
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An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith
Friday 9th October, 7pm
To use the ramp for wheelchair users at the venue (Elim Church) please contact us in advance so we can make sure you are looked after …
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An Evening with Ian Rankin
Saturday 10th October, 12pm
Please note that this event starts at 12pm.The first standalone thriller in two decades from a number one bestseller. Expanded from the short story The Rise, …
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Andrew Roberts for Napoleon and His Marshals
Monday 12th October, 7pm
We have the supreme pleasure of welcoming internationally renowned, award-winning biographer and historian, Andrew Roberts to the bookshop. His forthcoming book Napoleon and his Marshals is …
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Max Hastings for Plunder
Thursday 15th October, 7pm
The last weeks of World War II on the Western Front in Europe witnessed extraordinary scenes of heroism, horror, melodrama and pathos.In Plunder, Max Hastings presents …
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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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Oz Clarke: A Vine is a Wild Thing
Thursday 22nd October, 7pm
An Evening with Oz Clarke and A Vine is a Wild Thing: A Wine-Lover’s Guide to Grapes, Growers and Gloriously Good Bottles.“Sheer, giddy joy” Jancis Robinson“Oz …
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Vaseem Khan for The Man with the Golden Compass
Thursday 22nd October, 7pm
Vaseem Khan comes to Topping & Company Booksellers Bath to celebrate his brand new book in his Q Mysteries series The Man with the Golden Compass.Fresh …
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Victoria Hislop for The Wine-Dark Sea
Tuesday 27th October, 7pm
Greece, 1946. In the power vacuum remaining after the Second World War, a brutal civil war erupts between rival left- and right-wing factions. The conflict spirals …
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Andrea Wulf for The Traveller
Monday 2nd November, 7pm
The award-winning author of The Invention of Nature and Magnificent Rebels, Andrea Wulf joins us to illuminate the remarkable life and legacy of George Forster, detailed …
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Cocktail Hour with Tim Hayward
Thursday 12th November, 7pm
Join us for an evening of cocktails and the stories behind them with Food and Drinks writer, Tim Hayward.It's 6 o'clock: clear your mind of the …
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Reading, Writing and Looking: A Workshop with Tessa Hadley
Tuesday 17th November, 7pm
We're thrilled to offer a part-workshop, part-talk from Tessa Hadley, centred around the author's new literary study Alone with a Book.For as long as Tessa Hadley …
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Sophie Oliver for What the dresses know
Monday 23rd November, 7pm
An exciting new history of modernism that re-examines the movement through some of its most brilliant female artists.Pioneering women were at the heart of the movement …
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Elly Griffiths for The Case of the Christmas Card
Wednesday 2nd December, 7pm
Join Topping & Company Bath for a spine-chilling Christmas evening with Elly Griffiths, with her new festive novella The Case of the Christmas Card, an Ali …
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Rachel Khoo's Smallest Restaurant in Paris
Thursday 3rd December, 7pm
A thoroughly Parisian evening of French food and storytelling with The Little Paris Kitchen's Rachel Khoo.'Rachel Khoo shaped a path for chefs like me . . …
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British Museum Lectures: The Bayeux Tapestry
Thursday 21st January, 7pm
We're delighted to be joined by curator Lloyd De Beer to discuss the upcoming British Museum exhibition, The Bayeux Tapestry, and its accompanying publications.These new titles …
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