IT’S SUMMER! Thanks to the bookshop’s excellent AC we’ve been keeping pretty cool. We’ve also been keeping our ears to the ground, as ever, for the perplexing, the profound and the profane, collected here by Isobel Lawrence for your reading pleasure.
Back by popular demand! Grab a drink at the bar and soak up the atmosphere at Backstory’s music night. We’re lucky to be visited by Luce, who writes songs from the heart of the countryside — stripped-back acoustic sets that weave warm harmonies and sing-along choruses into songs that are gentle, lifting, and easy to fall for.
No tickets; just turn up. The music starts at 6.30: come early to grab a spot and a drink.
TOO KIND “Can I have some almonds? I’m happy to pay.” Oh, well if you’re offering!
MORAL MAZE A man at the bar says earnestly, “I just don’t know who I hate more, Hitler or Stalin.”
NOMINATIVE DETERMINISM The latest from the excellent Douglas Stuart came out in May, and on publication day Darby served two customers, both named John, who came to pick up their John of John pre-order. John of John of John and… John.
SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER A woman brings her daughter to pick up her click and collect order, which turns out to be How to Stop Snapping at the People You Love. “Let’s hope it works,” she says. “I needed it in time for the school holidays.”
TWO FOR ONE A customer rang up to ask, “Have you got a copy of Conversations with Normal People?” Sally Rooney should think about bringing out a double-decker special edition.
BASEMENT DERANGEMENT #1 My desk has recently started literally groaning under the weight of miscellaneous books, enough stationery to see us through the decade, and a medically necessary fan. Every time I type it produces acoustics of complaint. I pointed this out to Zoë, who said, “Oh. I thought that was Tom.”
ABC, EASY AS 123 One of our younger customers: “Oh my gosh, Daddy, Chapter Two literally comes straight after Chapter One!” Thrilling, isn’t it?
TRENDS IN PUBLISHING A customer at the bar complains, “Every book title is just a phrase now. You know, like Really Good, Actually.” We can’t think where he got that idea: there’s only So Late in the Day, So Good To See You, So Thrilled For You, I Want You To Be Happy, What A Time To Be Alive… Well, I guess all we can say is I’m Sorry You Feel That Way.
BIFF, CHIP, AND NUCLEAR ARMAGEDDON A customer approaches the till with 85 Seconds to Midnight: A Physicist’s Argument Against Rearmament. “Is this one for adults?”
I JUST WORK HERE A potential customer approaches the counter and spots Tom, latte in hand: “Are you good with your books? Or are you the coffee man?”
BASEMENT DERANGEMENT #2 It can all get a bit much when you’ve been cooped up downstairs during the bright summer days. Succumbing to the insanity, Denise serenaded us to the tune of Run the World (Girls): “Who Reads the World? (Tom!)”
… Tom does, in fact, Read the World. Once a month he picks a work of narrative nonfiction about a different place: from Turkey’s political crisis with Suzy Hansen’s From Life Itself to China’s migrant worker population in Xiao Hai’s Adrift in the South. Or if you prefer exciting new fiction, I choose a novel or short story collection from an independent publisher for our Indie x Indie subscription.
Have a look at our subscriptions here!
PENGUIN CHIC We’re currently giving out a free Penguin tote bag when you purchase a Penguin book. A customer tries on his new accessory, to which his mother says benevolently, “It makes you look very metrosexual, darling.”
NOW HIRING A customer begins his email: “Morning, Book Ninjas.” I should put that on my LinkedIn.
DREAM COME TRUE One of our very favourite regulars Betsy recently graduated Year 6 and was eager to share her yearbook with us. To say we’re touched is an understatement!
We’re taking a break with events in August, but there’s enough coming to make up for it!
28th July, 7.30pm Antonia Hodgson, The Raven Scholar The author of The Raven Scholar will be delving into the world of epic fantasy novels in conversation with her fellow author Georgia Summers (The Bookshop Below, City of Stardust).
10th August, 2.15pm Jacqueline Wilson book signing The beloved children’s author will join us to sign copies of her latest book, Esme Pepper. Spots must be reserved in advance (no need to book a ticket for parents/guardians or siblings).
1st September, 7.30pm Patrick Ryan, Buckeye This one was our Novel of the Year for 2025. We’re thrilled that Patrick is joining Darby, our bookshop manager, on paperback publication day.
2nd September, 7.30pm Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Agatha Christie Cure Finding herself feeling drained, novelist Cathy Rentzenbrink turns to Christie’s books for comfort and escape.
7th September, 7.30pm Jonn Elledge, 31 Inventions That Built Our World We’re thrilled to be joined once again by friend of Backstory Jonn Elledge, the bestselling author of A History of the World in 47 Borders, who has turned his trademark intelligence and wit to charting the most crucial inventions.
9th September, 7.30pm Hallie Rubenhold, Story of a Murder: The Wives, The Mistress and Dr Crippen The historian and bestselling author of The Five discusses the women in Dr Crippen’s story.
SOLD OUT 14th September, 7.30pm Nicola Sturgeon, Frankly
15th September, 7.30pm James Marriott, The New Dark Ages: The End of Reading and the Dawn of a Post-Literate Society We very much hope not! But can’t wait to chew over this meaty subject with the Times columnist and reviewer.
SOLD OUT 16th September, 7.30pm Frank Gardner, Ballistic
22nd September, 7.30pm Joey D’Urso, More Than A Shirt: How Football Shirts Explain Global Politics, Money and Power The Tim Marshall of sports chews through what he reckons 20 shirts can tell you about geopolitics, in conversation with Patrick Maguire of The Times.
SOLD OUT 23rd September, 7.30pm Victoria Hislop, The Wine-Dark Sea
30th September, 7.30pm Michael Cragg, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head: In Search of Kylie The music journalist chats all things Kylie Minogue with journalist and podcaster Miranda Sawyer.
17th October, 11am Robert Harris book signing The bestselling thriller writer will be signing copies of his latest, Agrippa.
25th October, 2.30pm Caitlin Moran book signing The journalist and writer will sign copies of How To Be Hopeful, her examination of whether it is possible to stay in the same house, in the same neighbourhood, but feel better about the frantic modern world by making better days.
Happy reading!
Isobel
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