| First things first, a quick note that the shop is going to be closed from Monday 19th August to Saturday 24th August, back open as usual on Monday 26th.
After a brief respite for August, our events programme comes roaring back to life from September.
Here is the rundown, including reminders of a couple of events already mentioned and no less than THREE new event announcements, including a new take on the western, a collection of brilliant Indian cookery recipes, and an investigation of the self!
Let your current summer holiday self do your future autumn self a kindness and book some tickets before they get snapped up.
So, here we go. In chronological order… |
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| 7pm, Thursday 29th August at Gloucester Road Books
Still strictly speaking in August, this is nonetheless most definitely the first of our autumn event series. Okojie is an extraordinary writer, and a huge favourite of our own Joe Melia, as well as Max Porter who describes her as “One of the finest literary imaginations working today.”
Curandera is a powerful novel thatmoves between 17th century Cape Verde and present day London, weaving a narrative of rebirth and redemption. By turns brutal, moving and tender, it spins a mythic tale of recalibrations across time. We really can’t wait for this one. |
| Our second autumn event is a very special one. Vanessa Kisuule is already well known in Bristol as a poet and performer. We are delighted to be launching her non-fiction debut with an extravaganza of performance and discussion. |
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7pm, Friday 13th September at The Station
Silver St, Bristol BS1 2AG
The book begins with Vanessa’s childhood obsession with Michael Jackson and goes on to span themes such as family, money, magic, sex, queerness and questionable haircuts.
It’s for anyone who’s ever been obsessed with a pop star, or found out someone they loved did something terrible and didn’t know what to do about it. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt morally conflicted or emotionally betrayed. It’s for anyone who’s ever had two conflicting thoughts smashing against each other in their skulls.
The night will include a dynamic performance from Vanessa, top notch tunes to grab your crotch and shake a leg to, and a post-performance talk and Q&A hosted by none other than literary powerhouse and bestselling author Max Porter. |
| Our next September event features a book we’re really excited about. Over the last few years we’ve seen a handful of instances of writers revisiting the western as a genre, or a mode of storytelling. The Muslim Cowboy is going to be a thoroughly fascinating addition to this revival. |
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| 7pm, Tuesday 17th September at Gloucester Road Books
Join Bruce Omar Yates who will be discussing his widely-anticipated debut novel, The Muslim Cowboy, in conversation with award-winning novelist and screenwriter, Nikesh Shukla.
“In the aftermath of the Iraq war, an odd Iraqi man entranced by Americana and old Western movies dresses in double denim and roams a lawless landscape in search of his own Western story. Amidst the disorder he meets a young girl, and together they set out across the tank strewn desert on his trusty camel to find safety.
“Written with a simplicity of direction that captivates like a film, The Muslim Cowboy is an extraordinary and mesmerising literary debut about the search for identity, the struggle to reconcile conflicting values, and sacrifice as that great virtue we all must embrace in order to find meaning and purpose in a world of chaos.” |
| Next up, we are delighted to be hosting prolific author, Joanna Nadin, who will be discussing her fascinating new book, The Future of the Self , with the acclaimed author and academic, Noreen Masud. |
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| 7pm, Thursday 19th September at Gloucester Road Books
About the book, from publisher Melville House:
“We all feel, instinctively, that self exists. That somewhere inside us, under the clothes, the make-up, and self-tan, lurks a hard ‘pearl’, a kernel of truth called ‘me’. And it’s big business uncovering that ‘authentic’ kernel. It’s also a fool’s errand, because that ‘true self’? It doesn’t exist.
“Self is no more than a story we tell ourselves. It’s mutable, pliable as Plasticine. Worse, it’s not even strictly autobiographical, but co-authored with those around us. And as such, there is no one version, but myriad, and the number is growing as we are exposed to ever more connections.
“The Future of the Self will explore our current understanding of self in both philosophical and neuroscientific terms and through the lens of popular culture. It will ask what might happen to it in the coming years, and what a ‘useful self’ might look like in the future.” |
| Next in our collaboration with Boston Tea Party is an event to celebrate the release of a new collection of recipes from the utterly wonderful Romy Gill. |
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7.30pm, Thursday October 3rd, Boston Tea Party
293 Gloucester Road BS7 8PE
In her new book, Romy goes to the heart of India’s vibrant culinary heritage on a charming journey through her ancestral kitchens in the Bengal and Punjab region, where she discovered the true essence of home-cooked Indian cuisine.
She shares over 70 of her beloved family recipes, each a testament to the flavours that define her childhood. From the iconic Butter Chicken, a beloved staple in every Indian home, to the delicious simplicity of her Masala Omelette, Romy invites you to savour the authentic tastes of India without the fuss. As well as recipes, Romy imparts her culinary wisdom and invaluable tips to help you craft curries with confidence in your own kitchen. With easy-to-follow instructions and readily available ingredients, every dish is designed with the home cook in mind, ensuring that your journey into Indian cuisine is as delightful as it is delicious.
With recipes that caters to every palate, offering a diverse range of recipes, including vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian options, Romy’s warm and engaging narrative will guide you through the intricacies of Indian cuisine, allowing you to create mouthwatering meals that evoke the comforting flavours of home. |
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