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.
Bee Wilson for The Heart-Shaped Tin: Love, Loss, and Kitchen Objects
Thursday 15th May, 7pm
This strikingly original account from award-winning food writer Bee Wilson charts how everyday objects take on deeply personal meanings in all our lives.One ordinary day, the …
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Molly Conisbee
Thursday 15th May, 7pm
"By introducing us to the hidden histories of those who perished in obscurity, Conisbee provides fascinating glimpses of attitudes to death through the ages" Catharine Arnold, …
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Sunday Walk: Treasures of Sydney Gardens
Sunday 18th May, 11am
10.30am: we meet at Sydney Gardens Community Pavilion (opposite the Petanque Court) for coffee & tea11am: walk begins (lasts an hour)Join us to celebrate 230 years …
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Chef Emily Scott with Home Shores
Monday 19th May, 7pm
Demo, Talk & TastingsCornwall chef and restaurateur, Emily Scott leads a delicious cookery demo & tastings that demystifies cooking with seafood at home.Emily’s love and passion …
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2025 International Booker Shortlisted Vincenzo Latronico for Perfection
Monday 19th May, 7pm
'Perfection is a short, sly, scathing satire about dissatisfied millennials.... Latronico has written one of the most brilliantly controlled works of social realism I've read in …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 20th 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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Indie Press Reading Group
Tuesday 20th May, 7pm
The monthly Indie Press Reading Group series aims to highlight brilliant novelists, essayists and poets from some of the most prolific UK independent publishers. In May, …
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Richard Overy for Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan
Wednesday 21st May, 7pm
On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this is a controversial and remarkable new account by one of Britain’s foremost military …
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Tracy Chevalier for The Glassmaker
Thursday 22nd May, 7pm
'Spellbinding' ELIF SHAFAK'Ingenious' THE TIMES, Book of the Year'Sparkling'OBSERVER'A triumph' PHILIP PULLMANTracy Chevalier has been visiting Venice regularly since her honeymoon there thirty years ago. She …
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Guided Walk with forager Andy Hamilton
Sunday 25th May, 10am
Join us this May as author, forager, and researcher Andy Hamilton guides you along one of Bath's beautiful parks in search of distinct flora, to celebrate …
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Piece by Piece: Patchwork & Quilting Talk with Lauren MacDonald
Monday 26th May, 7pm
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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Yiyun Li for Things in Nature Merely Grow
Monday 26th May, 7pm
Yiyun Li is the author of numerous acclaimed works of fiction and non-fiction, including Where Reasons End, and Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to …
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Lorna Tucker in Bath
Tuesday 27th May, 7pm
"The first ever book on female homeless. A chronicle of her remarkable journey' GUARDIANLorna Tucker is an artist, writer and filmmaker, who has secured her place …
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Unearthing the Real Pompeii with Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park in Pompeii
Wednesday 28th May, 7pm
Please note this event is now taking place at St Mary's Bathwick.'The best book on Pompeii I've ever read' STEPHEN FRY'A brilliant account of the latest …
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Polari Award Winner Nicola Dinan for Disappoint Me
Wednesday 28th May, 7pm
‘Nicola Dinan writes like some kind of demigod, her fictions make thinkable new realities for how we live, what we might expect from each other’ TORREY …
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Horrible Histories' Martin Brown in Bath!
Thursday 29th May, 3pm
Bath has never been so beastly!To celebrate the publication of the first ever official Horrible Histories guide to Bath, join Horrible Histories’ illustrator Martin Brown for …
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Feminist Reading Group
Thursday 29th May, 7pm
Welcome to the Feminist Fiction Reading Group!Every month, we will meet in the bookshop to discuss a fantastic piece of literature written by a female author. …
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T.S Eliot Prize Winner Peter Gizzi with Hannah Sullivan
Thursday 29th May, 7pm
We are thrilled to welcome Peter Gizzi, winner of the TS Eliot Prize 2024, to Bath this year for the winning collection Fierce Elegy. Peter will …
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Women's Prize for Nonfiction Longlisted Chloe Dalton for Raising Hare
Friday 30th May, 7pm
Please note this event is now being held at St Swithins's Church.'A beautiful book' - ANGELINA JOLIE'I will be recommending this to everyone' - MATT HAI'Quietly …
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Sunday Walk: No Swinging on Sundays
Sunday 1st June, 11am
From gravel walks and groves to fireworks and fun...This literary walk is based on the years of research that led to No Swinging on Sundays, a …
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Queer Voices Reading Group
Sunday 1st June, 7pm
Our newest Queer Voices Reading Group pick is Li Kotomi's Solo Dance - a queer coming-of-age novel set between Taiwan and Japan.Cho Norie, twenty-seven and originally …
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Damien Lewis for Great Escapes Four: Gripping Escape Stories from WWII Heroes
Monday 2nd June, 7pm
'Damien Lewis is both a meticulous historian and a born storyteller' - Lee Child‘Lewis takes the reader on an epic journey of discovery’ - BBC History …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 3rd 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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In for Dinner with Rosie Kellett
Tuesday 3rd June, 7pm
'In for Dinner is as generous and fun as Rosie is. It's totally modern for our times but it's nostalgic too: classic recipes spun into simple …
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James Canton for Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World
Thursday 5th June, 7pm
Twenty years ago, James Canton moved from London to the English countryside. Behind his farm labourer's cottage was a small field with a 'for sale' sign. …
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Fern Green and Lunch Well
Monday 9th June, 7pm
Lunch Well is an efficient new guide to bringing a spark to your midday meal.A Talk, Demo & Tastings with Bath food writer, Fern Green and …
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Helen Carr for Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century
Tuesday 10th June, 7pm
We are thrilled to welcome bestselling author and historian Helen Carr to Bath for her new book, Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century.Helen …
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Natalia Rudin @natsnourishments Cooking Fast & Slow
Wednesday 11th June, 7pm
Easy, Comforting, (Mostly) Plant-based Recipes for Busy PeopleDemo & TastingsCooking Fast and Slow is the much anticipated first book from Natalia Rudin, chef and creative behind …
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The Gayest Love Story Ever Told: Jeremy Atherton Lin for Deep House
Thursday 12th June, 7pm
'In writing that is both lyrical and informative, this book also manages to be bold and sexy' SHON FAYEIt's 1996, and Jeremy, a young American, has …
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Sunday Walk: On Foot in Bath
Sunday 15th June, 11am
Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott are the founders of Akeman Press and the leading historians on the city of Bath. Join them for a walk to …
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World Literature Reading Group
Sunday 15th 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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Agnes Lidbeck for Supporting Act
Tuesday 17th June, 7pm
Join us for an evening with Agnes Lidbeck to celebrate her new novel, Supporting Act, in partnership with Bath-based publisher Peirene Press. Agnes will also be …
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Helen Lewis for The Genius Myth
Wednesday 18th June, 7pm
Join Helen Lewis, author of Sunday Times bestseller Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights, to celebrate her new book: The Genius Myth.Helen will …
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Jose Pizarro for The Spanish Pantry
Thursday 19th June, 7pm
The 'Godfather of Spanish Food', Jose Pizarro returns to Bath to chat and cook from his brand new, fresh take on home-cooked Spanish food. Never before …
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Katie Kitamura for Audition
Friday 20th June, 7pm
'An original' RACHEL KUSHNER'Gorgeously disquieting' HERNAN DIAZ'One of our most brilliant writers' LAUREN GROFFOne woman, the performance of a lifetime. Or two. An exhilarating, destabilising novel …
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Jane Austen's 250th: An Austen Walk with Akeman Press
Sunday 22nd June, 11am
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events for books on and about the great author!To round …
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Jane Austen's 250th: Gill Hornby for The Elopement
Monday 23rd June, 7pm
'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.'To celebrate the 250th …
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Olia Hercules for Strong Roots: A Ukrainian Family Story through War, Exile and Hope
Monday 23rd June, 7pm
'It is the roots that keep the trees from falling during a storm. Olia Hercules tells us that the same is true for people and nations' …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 24th 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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Jane Austen's 250th: Jane Austen's Wardrobe with Hilary Davidson
Tuesday 24th June, 7pm
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events for books on and about the great author!Hilary Davidson …
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Ottolenghi's Sami Tamimi wityh Boustany:Palestinian Vegetarian Cookery
Tuesday 24th June, 7pm
Demo, Talk & TastingsSami Tamimi was born in Jerusalem. He became head chef of Lilith, one of the top restaurants in Tel Aviv, before moving to …
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Jane Austen's 250th: An Austen Walk with Akeman Press
Wednesday 25th June, 11am
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events for books on and about the great author!To round …
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Jane Austen's 250th: John Mullan asks What Matters in Jane Austen?
Wednesday 25th June, 7pm
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events for books on and about the great author!John Mullan …
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An Evening with V. E. Schwab: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
Wednesday 25th June, 7pm
Join us for an evening with beloved fantasy author V.E. Schwab to discuss her latest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. Please note that …
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Jane Austen's 250th: Kathryn Sutherland on Austen in 41 Objects
Thursday 26th June, 7pm
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events with the most brilliant Austen scholars and writers celebrating …
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Jane Austen's 250th: Caroline Sanderson for Jane Austen ~ The Life of a Literary Titan
Friday 27th June, 7pm
Caroline Sanderson began her career as a bookseller, and later worked in publishing publicity before becoming an author and journalist. Since 2000 she has compiled the …
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Melissa Febos for The Dry Season: Finding Pleasure in a Year Without Sex
Friday 27th June, 7pm
Melissa Febos, the national bestselling author of Whip Smart, Abandon Me, Girlhood and Body Work, comes to the bookshop in celebration of her new book The …
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Jane Austen's 250th: An Austen Walk with Akeman Press
Sunday 29th June, 11am
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are hosting a week of literary events for books on and about the great author!To round …
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An Evening with Autumn Woods to celebrate Nightshade
Monday 30th June, 7pm
Join us for an evening with local author, Autumn Woods, to celebrate the publication of Nightshade!Autumn self-published Nightshade back in February, immediately amassing an incredible 7M …
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An Evening with Fredrik Backman
Tuesday 1st July, 7pm
We are delighted to welcome bestselling author of Anxious People and A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman, to Bath for his new novel, My Friends.Fredrik Backman …
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Francesca Segal for Island Calling
Wednesday 2nd July, 7pm
'A much-needed escape, I warmly recommend this beauty' Nigella LawsonJoin us in celebrating the wonderful second instalment in the Tuga trilogy, Island Calling with Francesca Segal …
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Flavour Heroes with Gurdeep Loyal
Thursday 3rd July, 7pm
Gurdeep makes things simple: he shows that with a well-stocked pantry and an open mind, ingredients can transport you anywhere you want to go. This book …
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Sam Dalrymple for Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia
Thursday 3rd July, 7pm
A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it.As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, …
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Jane Austen's 250th: Janet Todd for Living with Jane Austen
Friday 4th July, 7pm
'Sharing a mind is as exciting as sharing a bed. In this gentle, witty, semi-memoir, Janet Todd reveals her eccentric encounters with books and shows us …
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Teen Skincare with Caroline Hirons
Monday 7th July, 7pm
The Queen of Skincare, Caroline Hirons, brings us Teen Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide. What every teen needs to feel great in their own skin!‘Caroline Hirons, …
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Yasmin Khan for Sabzi: Fresh vegetarian recipes for everyday
Wednesday 9th July, 7pm
'Pure poetry and joy.' Meera SodhaSabzi - the Persian word for fresh greens and herbs - isn't a casual afterthought in best-selling author Yasmin Khan's kitchen; …
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An Afternoon with Holly Jackson
Saturday 12th July, 4pm
Join us for an afternoon with beloved author of Good Girls Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson! Come along to hear Holly talk all things young adult …
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Sunday Walk: Literary Walks in Bath
Sunday 13th July, 11am
Join us on Sunday 4th of May for a literary walk with our friends at Akeman Press!Meet at the bookshop at 10:30am for some tea, coffee, …
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Tiny Tales ~ Our Picture Book Reading Group
Tuesday 15th July, 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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Siouxsie and The Banshees' Budgie for The Absence
Monday 21st July, 7pm
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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An Evening with Kaliane Bradley & Elaine Castillo
Tuesday 22nd July, 7pm
This July, join us as we welcome Kaliane Bradley, bestselling author of The Ministry of Time, and Elaine Castillo, author of America Is Not the Heart, …
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Sunday Walk: No Swinging on Sundays
Sunday 27th July, 11am
From gravel walks and groves to fireworks and fun...This literary walk is based on the years of research that led to No Swinging on Sundays, a …
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Sunday Walk: On Foot in Bath
Sunday 10th August, 11am
Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott are the founders of Akeman Press and the leading historians on the city of Bath. Join them for a walk to …
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Sunday Walk: Literary Walks in Bath
Sunday 24th August, 11am
Join us on Sunday 4th of May for a literary walk with our friends at Akeman Press!Meet at the bookshop at 10:30am for some tea, coffee, …
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Arifa Akbar for Wolf Moon: A Woman's Journey into the Night
Tuesday 2nd September, 7pm
'Had me entranced from start to finish . . . an absolute joy' - Lucy Atkins, author of Windmill Hill'A deft, rich and intimate exploration of …
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Damian Barr for The Two Roberts
Wednesday 3rd September, 7pm
'Epic and touching' DAVID NICHOLLS 'A novel that brims over with generosity and warmth' OBSERVER He will stay like this forever, Robert's arm draped round him. …
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Alex Riley for Super Natural: How Life Thrives in Impossible Places
Thursday 4th September, 7pm
'A thrilling and original way to explore nature - the science is fascinating.' Tristan Gooley, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Read a Tree.From scorching …
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Ethicurean Life's Matthew Pennington & Nicola Cradock
Thursday 4th September, 7pm
Talk, Demo & TastingsSomerset-based Matthew Pennington is co-author of The Ethicurean Cookbook and co-founder of The Ethicurean restaurant, renowned for its commitment to sustainable practices and …
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An Evening with Ocean Vuong for The Emperor of Gladness
Tuesday 9th September, 7pm
'Reminded me that every word can be an incantation, and that beauty does hard and important work' - Rebecca Solnit (praise for On Earth We're Briefly …
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Tim Spector on Ferment: The Life-Changing Power of Microbes
Tuesday 9th 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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Ixta Belfrage and Fusao: Recipes Inspired by Brazil
Wednesday 10th September, 7pm
Demo, Talk & TastingsBright, vibrant food inspired by Brazil, from the once-in-a-generation talent and bestselling chef behind MEZCLA, and the co-author of OTTOLENGHI Flavour.“FUSÃO (fusion) is …
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British Museum Lectures: Ice Age Art Now
Thursday 11th 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 …
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Max Hastings in Bath
Thursday 11th September, 7pm
Join long-time friend of the bookshop, Max Hastings, to talk about his incredible new book, Sword: D-Day - Trial by Battle. Please note, any event vouchers …
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Karen Bartlett for The Escape from Kabul: A True Story of Sisterhood and Defiance
Monday 15th September, 7pm
The Escape from Kabul: A True Story of Sisterhood and Defiance is the extraordinary, moving story of the Afghan women judges who fought for their careers …
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Liam Shaw for Dangerous Miracle: A Natural History of Antibiotics
Monday 15th September, 7pm
We are thrilled to welcome Liam Shaw to speak on his new book Dangerous Miracles, to discover the history behind one of humanity's greatest achievements: antibiotics.Since …
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An Evening with Ian McEwan for What We Can Know
Tuesday 16th September, 7pm
Ian McEwan, Booker Prize-winning author and friend of the bookshop, will return to Bath to celebrate his latest novel - What We Can Know – in …
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Vince Cable for Eclipsing the West: China, India and the Forging of a New World
Wednesday 17th September, 7pm
'A succinct, authoritative and up-to-date account of one of the most important but neglected relations in contemporary geopolitics.' - Kerry Brown, author of The Great Reversal: …
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Saul David for Tunisgrad: Victory in Africa
Thursday 18th September, 7pm
Join us for an evening with the Sunday Times Bestselling Author, Saul David, as we celebrate his newest work - an epic history about the North …
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Padella: Iconic Pasta at Home with Tim Siadatan
Thursday 18th September, 7pm
From one of London's most iconic fresh pasta restaurants, Padella has highlighted sensational pasta since 2016. Head chef and founder, Tim Siadatan comes to us for …
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ESEA Heritage Week: Alice Mah
Monday 22nd September, 7pm
Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath presents: East & Southeast Asian Heritage Festival ~ Alice Mah for Red PocketsA haunting family memoir about what we owe …
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ESEA Heritage Week: Katie Goh
Tuesday 23rd September, 7pm
Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath presents: East & Southeast Asian Heritage Festival ~ Katie Goh for Foreign Fruit: A Personal History of the OrangeA sharp-sweet …
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ESEA Heritage Week: Anna Sulan Masing
Wednesday 24th September, 7pm
Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath presents: East & Southeast Asian Heritage Festival ~ Anna Sulan Masing for Chinese and Any Other Asian'Chinese' or 'Any other …
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Around the Table with Diana Henry
Monday 29th September, 7pm
One of UK's finest food writers, and long-term friend of Toppings, Diana Henry returns to the bookshop to speak on Around the Table. This is an …
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An Evening with Simon Armitage
Monday 29th September, 7pm
We're thrilled to welcome back Simon Armitage to the bookshop for an evening of conversation and readings from his upcoming collection New Cemetery.Simon Armitage was born …
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A Musical Evening with Amy Jeffs, artist Gwen Burns, and musician Natalie Brice
Tuesday 30th September, 7pm
Join us for a very special event with Amy Jeffs, author of Storyland and Wild, artist Gwen Burns and musician Natalie Brice to celebrate their illustrated …
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Joe Boyd for And the Roots of Rhythm Remain
Wednesday 1st October, 7pm
A Financial Times, Irish Times, Mojo and Uncut Book of the Year'I doubt I'll ever read a better account of the history and sociology of popular …
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Malcolm Gaskill for The Glass Mountain
Wednesday 1st October, 7pm
The author of The Ruin of All Witches returns with a gripping, vividly told journey of rediscovery, uncovering his uncle's past as a soldier, prisoner, fugitive …
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British Museum Lectures: Ancient India: Living Traditions
Thursday 2nd October, 7pm
We are delighted to welcome Sushma Jansari to the bookshop to discuss Ancient India: Living Traditions which accompanies a major exhibition at The British Museum in …
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An Evening with Ken Follett
Friday 3rd October, 7pm
From the master of epic fiction comes the deeply human story of one of the world's greatest mysteries: the building of Stonehenge. A FLINT MINER WITH …
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Thomasina Mier's Mexican Table
Thursday 9th October, 7pm
Acclaimed chef Thomasina Miers brings us more bold, bright recipes that bring the sunshine to your plate through these 12 staple ingredients, straight from the heart …
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Folklore: A Journey Through the Past and Present
Tuesday 14th October, 7pm
'This book draws a cultural map of who we are, where we've come from and how we think and feel about our surroundings. Meticulously researched, imaginative …
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Leon Craig for The Decadence
Wednesday 29th October, 7pm
'Lush, complex, and close to the bone, The Decadence filled me with horror in the best way' - Krystelle Bamford, author of Idle GroundsA gripping queer …
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Olly Smith Wine Tasting
Thursday 30th October, 7pm
All For Wine and Wine for All!An evening of fun and wine with the ebullient drinks broadcaster, Olly Smith.You don’t need to be rich or have …
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Chloe Michelle Howarth for Heap Earth Upon It
Tuesday 4th November, 7pm
We are delighted to welcome back Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn, which was shortlisted for multiple awards, for her sophomore novel.January 1965. The orphaned O'Leary …
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Sarah Hendrickx asks Could I Really Be Autistic?: Your First Steps to Self-Discovery
Wednesday 5th November, 7pm
Join Sarah Hendrickx, author of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, to talk about her new book: Could I Really Be Autistic? Sarah's work has …
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