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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250626T183000
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SUMMARY:Long Going Launch: Sophie Calon in conversation with Dr Piers Henriques
DESCRIPTION:“A moving and thought-provoking account of an impossible situation.”\n— Louis de Bernières\, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin \nHouse of Books & Friends\, King Street\, Manchester invites you to join Sophie Calon for the launch of her debut memoir Long Going (Honno\, £12.99 June 2025). A story of breaking destructive cycles\, Long Going is an unflinching memoir of alcoholism\, family\, and resilience. The launch will take place on Thursday 26 June\, shortly after Father’s Day. \nSophie will be joined by Dr Piers Henriques\, director of communications at Nacoa – a charity that works to address the needs of children affected by a parent’s drinking. They will discuss the challenges for children of alcoholics\, the potential long-term effects\, and what it means to survive. \nTickets \nTickets for this event are free and available here \nAbout Long Going \nAt 50\, Sophie Calon’s father was a high-flying lawyer. At 55\, he was found dead in Cardiff city centre at Christmas. Meanwhile he had pinballed between tents\, homeless shelters\, and prison cells. His story is a lesson in how alcoholism can consume a person and a family. Long Going is a powerful memoir that sings with Sophie’s love for her eccentric\, witty father while recounting his drink-fuelled disintegration. In telling his story\, Sophie explores her family’s instability and pain as well as her own survival. \n“Throughout my childhood\, our family’s struggles went unsaid. We kept our problems to ourselves. I hope that Long Going will help to open up conversations about alcoholism\, particularly the impacts that addiction can have on loved ones. My dad died from drinking\, but I hope this story can ensure his legacy will live on and support others to deal with similar situations.” — Sophie Calon. \nSophie Calon \nSophie Calon was born and raised in Cardiff. State-educated\, Sophie studied Classics at Oxford University then trained as a journalist in her hometown. Her writing has been published in The Guardian\, The TLS\, Literary Review\, and the anthology Tales of Two Londons. Her story ‘Cantlos’ was runner-up for the 2021 Wild Writing Prize and published by Short Fiction. Sophie lives with her husband\, daughter\, cats\, and cows on a hilltop near Hay-on-Wye\, where they are returning nature to their surroundings. \nDr Piers Henriques \nDr Piers Henriques is director of communications at Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics)\, a UK charity dedicated to supporting those affected by a parent’s drinking. Nacoa   provides free\, confidential helplines\, resources\, and advocacy to raise awareness of the often-invisible impact of alcoholism on families. Nacoa was originally set up by Hilary Henriques MBE in 1990. \n 
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/long-going-launch-sophie-calon-in-conversation-with-dr-piers-henriques
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250706T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250706T120000
DTSTAMP:20250601T152342Z
CREATED:20250505T113757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250601T152342Z
UID:8676-1751799600-1751803200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Little Bookworms July
DESCRIPTION:Have you got a little bookworm in your life? Then look no further than House of Books & Friends. We are excited to invite you to Little Bookworms\, our monthly book club for 8-12 years. The book club runs the first Sunday of every month\, 11am-12pm. \nFor July\, we will be reading The Swifts by Beth Lincoln. You have until the day of the book club to finish the title – this is available to buy as part of your ticket\, or you can purchase a ticket only. \nAs well as discussing the book\, there will be book-related activities each month for our Little Bookworms to get stuck into\, fun quizzes and games\, and squash and biscuits for all. Our Little Bookworms will also get their own book lovers passport to add to each month they attend as they jet set around the world through reading. \nAll sessions will be ticketed: £7.99 for the book and ticket\, and £2 for just the ticket. All little ones must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased on our website and in store. A limited number of complementary tickets will also be reserved for those who might need them so please do let us know. \nIf you have any questions about the book club or tickets\, you can always take a look at our website\, email us\, or ask a friendly bookseller in store. \nAbout the book: \nDiscover the hilarious New York Times bestselling mystery adventure perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Lemony Snicket. \nOn the day they are born\, each Swift is brought before the Family Dictionary. They are given a name and a definition\, and it is assumed they will grow up to match. Unfortunately\, Shenanigan Swift has other ideas. \nSo what if her relatives all think she’s destined to turn out as a troublemaker\, just because of her name? Shenanigan knows she can be whatever she wants – pirate\, explorer or even detective. \nWhich is lucky\, really\, because when one of the Family tries to murder Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude\, someone has to work out whodunit. \nWith the help of her sisters and cousin\, Shenanigan grudgingly takes on the case\, but more murders\, a hidden treasure and an awful lot of suspects make thing seriously complicated. \nCan Shenanigan catch the killer before the whole household is picked off? And in a Family where definitions are so important\, can she learn to define herself?
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/little-bookworms-july
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Children's Events
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ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250711T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250711T000000
DTSTAMP:20250711T110325Z
CREATED:20250711T110325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T110325Z
UID:8900-1752192000-1752192000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club: Monday 23rd June *ONLINE*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Monday 23rd June 7-8pm via Zoom. This month\, we are reading Amphibian by Tyler Wetherall\,  a tender\, haunting coming-of-age debut about desire\, precocity and the intensity of early friendships. £9.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket only for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the Book: \nHas a queasily compelling power’ The Times\n\n‘Haunting and visceral as a fairytale’ Lilly Dancyger \n‘Brims with sex and violence and threat\, and moves to a crescendo of strange and magical beauty’ Rebecca Stott\n\nSissy is used to being on the outside. The new girl in her West Country school\, she recently arrived with her troubled mother\, prone to letting Sissy fend for herself.\nBut from the day Sissy fights a boy in front of Tegan\, she’s no longer alone. Bonded by violence\, they grow so close they feel like one being: wrapped around each other in bed at sleepovers\, sending photographs to men they meet online\, and scaring each other with reports of the girls being snatched at night in their town. \nOver the course of the school year\, they find themselves on the threshold of girlhood\, with threats gathering thick and fast around them. And as their make-believe worlds bleed into their daily lives\, Sissy feels herself transforming into something strange and terrifying. \nAmphibian is a tender\, haunting coming-of-age debut about desire\, precocity and the intensity of early friendships that have the power to upend our lives. \nAbout the Author: \nTyler Wetherall is a journalist and author. Her debut novel\, Amphibian\, was released in 2024. Her first book\, No Way Home: A Memoir of Life on the Run\, came out in 2018 from St. Martin’s Press\, following her childhood spent on the run with her fugitive father. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times\, British Vogue\, The Guardian\, National Geographic\, LitHub\, Vice\, and Condé Nast Traveler\, amongst others. Tyler has made appearances on podcasts and radio including BBC Outlook\, Good Life Project\, and Radiotopia’s Criminal. She is also the creator of Reading the City\, a weekly newsletter of bookish events taking place around New York City. Her writing is represented by Emma Parry at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She is currently the senior editor at James Beard award-winning drinks magazine SevenFifty Daily and lives in Brooklyn with her husband.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-monday-23rd-june-online-2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250716T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250716T193000
DTSTAMP:20250701T133600Z
CREATED:20250618T135408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250701T133600Z
UID:9041-1752688800-1752694200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Feminist Book Club with Kate Feld
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are delighted to announce that we are hosting the Feminist Book Club with facilitator Kate Feld. Taking place monthly\, this will be a space for people of all genders to discuss feminist books. In July\, we will be discussing Indelicacy by Amina Cain. \nTickets for this event are now sold out. Feminist book club returns on the third Wednesday of each month (August 20th) \n  \nAbout the book: \nIn an undefined era and place\, a cleaning woman at a museum of art aspires to do more than simply dust the paintings around her.  She dreams of having the liberty to explore them in writing\, and so must find the way to win herself the security and time to use her mind. She escapes her lot by marrying a rich man\, but having gained a husband\, a house\, high society and a maid\, she finds that her new life of privilege is no less constrained. Not only has she taken up different forms of time-consuming labour — social and erotic — but she is now\, however passively\, forcing other women to clean up after her. Perhaps another and more drastic solution is necessary?
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/july-feminist-book-club-with-facilitator-kate-feld
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Untitled-design-80.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250719T160000
DTSTAMP:20250522T123941Z
CREATED:20250522T094721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T123941Z
UID:8823-1752933600-1752940800@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Mercy Step launch: Marcia Hutchinson in conversation with Peter Kalu
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are excited to be hosting Marcia Hutchinson in conversation with Peter Kalu on Saturday 19th July 2-4pm \nMarcia will be discussing her new book “The Mercy Step”. There will also be a chance for a Q&A\, and an opportunity to get your books signed. We will also be selling copies on the night. \nTickets \nYou can purchase a ticket-only option\, or you can purchase a copy of each book from us to act as a ticket; see options below: \n£5 Ticket only available here \n£16.99 Book and ticket available here (cost wise\, the book is your ticket!) \nAbout the book \nDecember 1962 in Bradford\, and the precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world\, torn from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb and thrust into a life that feels far too big for her small body. Mercy craves her mother’s attention\, which she must share with the Church and her many siblings\, while dodging the fists and temper of her abusive father. Quick-witted and wise beyond her years\, Mercy feels like an outsider in her family\, with everyone else seemingly happy to ignore the precarious house of cards they live in. But Mercy is nothing if not resilient\, finding hope and escapism in books and learning\, as well as her faithful toy\, Dolly. She is determined to overcome her upbringing and save her family – no matter what it takes. \nAbout the author \nMarcia Hutchinson was born to Windrush generation Jamaican parents in the UK in 1962. She was the first pupil from her comprehensive school to go to Oxford\, where she gained an MA in Law. She worked as a lawyer before founding the educational publishing company Primary Colours\, which she ran until 2014. She was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to Cultural Diversity.\n \nShe will be in conversation with Peter Kalu. He is a poet\, fiction writer and playwright. He cut his teeth as a member of Manchester’s Moss Side Write black writers workshop and has had nine novels\, two film scripts and three theatre plays produced to date.  He gained his PhD in Creative Writing\, Lancaster University\, UK\, in 2019.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/mercy-step
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250725T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250725T143000
DTSTAMP:20250711T110257Z
CREATED:20250711T110257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T110257Z
UID:9275-1753434000-1753453800@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Character Storytime with the Gruffalo!
DESCRIPTION:Get Ready for a Magical Gruffalo Adventure! \nThe Gruffalo’s coming — don’t you know?\nJoin our story time\, come say hello!\nWith tricky mice and forests deep\,\nA magical adventure you’ll want to keep! \nWill the Gruffalo be there? Oh yes\, he will!\nCome find out if you’ve got the thrill! \nThis isn’t just any story time — the Gruffalo himself will be there\, ready to join the fun and bring the story to life right before your eyes! \n🗓 Friday 25th July\n📍 House of Books and Friends \n🎟️ Best part? It’s totally FREE! But hurry — spots are going quickly! Grab your place now at one of the following sessions: \n\nSession one: 9:15am – 10:00am\nSession two: 10:45am – 11:30am\nSession three: 1:30pm – 2:15pm
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/character-storytime-with-the-gruffalo
CATEGORIES:Children's Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Children-Summer-Programme-3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250728T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250728T200000
DTSTAMP:20250626T173105Z
CREATED:20250624T114759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T173105Z
UID:9102-1753729200-1753732800@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club: Monday 28th July *ONLINE*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Monday 28th July 7-8pm via Zoom. This month\, we are reading Your Neighbour’s Table by Gu Byeong-mo\,  a thought-provoking story of community and the cultural expectations of motherhood. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book: \nWhen Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments\, she’s ready for a fresh start. Located on the outskirts of Seoul\, the experimental community is a government initiative designed to boost the national birth rate. Like her neighbours\, Yojin has agreed to have at least two more children over the next ten years. \nYet\, from the day she arrives\, Yojin feels uneasy about the community spirit thrust upon her. Her concerns grow as communal child care begins and the other parents show their true colours. Your Neighbour’s Tabletraces the lives of four women in the apartments\, all with different aspirations and beliefs. \nWill they find a way to live peacefully? Or are society’s expectations stacked against them from the start? \nA trenchant social novel from an award-winning author\, Your Neighbour’s Table incisively illuminates the unspoken imbalance of women’s parenting labour and the challenges of working towards a better life. \nAbout the Author: \nGu Byeong-mo was born in 1976 in Seoul. She studied Korean language and literature at Kyung Hee University\, and worked as an editor. She made her literary debut with the novel Wizard Bakery (2009)\, which won the Changbi Prize. It became bestseller in Korea and was translated into many different languages. Her short story collection Hoping That It Wasn’t Only Me (2015) received Writer of the Year Award and Hwang Sun-won Literary Award for New Writers.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-monday-28th-july-online
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Our-July-title-is.-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250729T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250729T113000
DTSTAMP:20250711T112249Z
CREATED:20250711T110430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T112249Z
UID:9258-1753785000-1753788600@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Children's Bookish Crafts!
DESCRIPTION:Calling All Creative Kids! \nHouse of Books and Friends is thrilled to invite your little bookworms to Bookish Crafts — a fun-filled morning of imagination and creativity! \n🗓 Tuesday 29th July🕚 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM📍 House of Books and Friends \nChildren will get crafty making their very own felt bookmark to take home — perfect for marking their next adventure in reading! And guess what? A delicious packed lunch is included! \n🎟️ This magical event is completely FREE\, but spaces are limited — be sure to book now to avoid disappointment!
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/childrens-bookish-crafts
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Children-Summer-Programme-7.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250730T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250730T190000
DTSTAMP:20250626T114924Z
CREATED:20250624T115257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T114924Z
UID:9104-1753898400-1753902000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club: Wednesday 30th July *EVENING*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Wednesday 30th July\, 6pm-7pm\, in person. This month\, we are reading Your Neighbour’s Table by Gu Byeong-mo\,  a thought-provoking story of community and the cultural expectations of motherhood. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \n\nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \n\nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \n\nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \n\nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \n\nAbout the book: \n\nWhen Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments\, she’s ready for a fresh start. Located on the outskirts of Seoul\, the experimental community is a government initiative designed to boost the national birth rate. Like her neighbours\, Yojin has agreed to have at least two more children over the next ten years. \n\nYet\, from the day she arrives\, Yojin feels uneasy about the community spirit thrust upon her. Her concerns grow as communal child care begins and the other parents show their true colours. Your Neighbour’s Tabletraces the lives of four women in the apartments\, all with different aspirations and beliefs. \n\nWill they find a way to live peacefully? Or are society’s expectations stacked against them from the start? \n\nA trenchant social novel from an award-winning author\, Your Neighbour’s Table incisively illuminates the unspoken imbalance of women’s parenting labour and the challenges of working towards a better life. \n\nAbout the Author: \n\nGu Byeong-mo was born in 1976 in Seoul. She studied Korean language and literature at Kyung Hee University\, and worked as an editor. She made her literary debut with the novel Wizard Bakery (2009)\, which won the Changbi Prize. It became bestseller in Korea and was translated into many different languages. Her short story collection Hoping That It Wasn’t Only Me (2015) received Writer of the Year Award and Hwang Sun-won Literary Award for New Writers.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-wednesday-30th-july-evening
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Our-July-title-is.-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250731T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250731T150000
DTSTAMP:20250708T140115Z
CREATED:20250624T115351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T140115Z
UID:9106-1753970400-1753974000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club: Thursday 31st July *AFTERNOON*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Thursday 31st July\, 2pm-3pm\, in person. This month\, we are reading Your Neighbour’s Table by Gu Byeong-mo\,  a thought-provoking story of community and the cultural expectations of motherhood. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book: \nWhen Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments\, she’s ready for a fresh start. Located on the outskirts of Seoul\, the experimental community is a government initiative designed to boost the national birth rate. Like her neighbours\, Yojin has agreed to have at least two more children over the next ten years. \nYet\, from the day she arrives\, Yojin feels uneasy about the community spirit thrust upon her. Her concerns grow as communal child care begins and the other parents show their true colours. Your Neighbour’s Tabletraces the lives of four women in the apartments\, all with different aspirations and beliefs. \nWill they find a way to live peacefully? Or are society’s expectations stacked against them from the start? \nA trenchant social novel from an award-winning author\, Your Neighbour’s Table incisively illuminates the unspoken imbalance of women’s parenting labour and the challenges of working towards a better life. \nAbout the Author: \nGu Byeong-mo was born in 1976 in Seoul. She studied Korean language and literature at Kyung Hee University\, and worked as an editor. She made her literary debut with the novel Wizard Bakery (2009)\, which won the Changbi Prize. It became bestseller in Korea and was translated into many different languages. Her short story collection Hoping That It Wasn’t Only Me (2015) received Writer of the Year Award and Hwang Sun-won Literary Award for New Writers.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-thursday-31st-july-afternoon
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Our-July-title-is.-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250803T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250803T120000
DTSTAMP:20250703T151135Z
CREATED:20250703T113054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250703T151135Z
UID:8981-1754218800-1754222400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Little Bookworms August
DESCRIPTION:Have you got a little bookworm in your life? Then look no further than House of Books & Friends. We are excited to invite you to Little Bookworms\, our monthly book club for 8-12 years. The book club runs the first Sunday of every month\, 11am-12pm. \nFor August\, we will be reading Dexter Proctor the 10-year-old Doctor by Adam Kay. You have until the day of the book club to finish the title – this is available to buy as part of your ticket\, or you can purchase a ticket only. \nAs well as discussing the book\, there will be book-related activities each month for our Little Bookworms to get stuck into\, fun quizzes and games\, and squash and biscuits for all. Our Little Bookworms will also get their own book lovers passport to add to each month they attend as they jet set around the world through reading. \nAll sessions will be ticketed: £7.99 for the book and ticket\, and £2 for just the ticket. All little ones must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased on our website and in store. A limited number of complementary tickets will also be reserved for those who might need them so please do let us know. \nIf you have any questions about the book club or tickets\, you can always take a look at our website\, email us\, or ask a friendly bookseller in store. \nAbout the book: \nIt was clear from an early age that Dexter Procter was different. \nHe started speaking at four seconds old. By the age of three\, he had 87 A-levels\, from Afrikaans to Zoology. \nAnd by ten\, he was working as a paediatrician at Lilydale General Hospital. \nDespite a loving but annoying family and a couple of good friends (Rupi and Otto)\, Dexter’s always struggled to fit in. Add to this a mortal enemy (Dr Drake) and a major problem at his old school (all the teachers struck down with awful diarrhoea) – will Dexter be able to save his job\, save the school and find his place in the world? (Spoiler alert: yes!) \nA laugh-out-loud new fiction series about the world’s youngest doctor from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/little-bookworms-august
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Children's Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LIL-BW-may-25-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250807T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250807T110000
DTSTAMP:20250711T112523Z
CREATED:20250711T110509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T112523Z
UID:9263-1754560800-1754564400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Children's Drawing Workshop with Illustrator Catherine Booth!
DESCRIPTION:Calling All Creative Kids – Let Your Imagination Soar! \nGet ready for a magical morning of drawing\, storytelling\, and pure creativity at House of Books and Friends! We’re over the moon to welcome Catherine Booth — a published children’s illustrator and storyteller — for an unforgettable Drawing Workshop designed especially for young imaginations. \n🗓 Thursday\, 7th August\n🕚 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM\n📍 House of Books and Friends \nYour little artists will sketch\, scribble\, and dream up their own unique illustrations — and they’ll even get the chance to enter their masterpieces into our exciting Drawing Competition! 🖼️🏆 \nAnd guess what? We’re keeping tummies happy too with a scrumptious packed lunch included! \n🎟️ This magical experience is absolutely FREE\, but spots are vanishing fast — so book now to secure your place before they’re all gone!
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/childrens-drawing-workshop-with-illustrator-catherine-booth
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Children-Summer-Programme-8.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250815T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250815T190000
DTSTAMP:20250624T082556Z
CREATED:20250621T123616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250624T082556Z
UID:9068-1755280800-1755284400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Fiesta launch: Daniel Stables In Conversation
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are excited to be hosting Daniel Stables on Wednesday 15th August from 6pm – 7pm. Daniel will be discussing his new book “Fiesta”\, a journey through human festivity. There will also be a chance for a Q&A\, and an opportunity to get your books signed. We will also be selling copies on the night. Tickets You can purchase a ticket-only option\, or you can purchase a copy of each book from us to act as a ticket; see options below: £5 Ticket only available here | £20 Book and ticket available here (cost wise\, the book is your ticket!) \nAbout the book: \nFiesta explores the vibrant tapestry of human festivity\, delving into the extraordinary lengths to which we go to express our cultures and commemorate life’s milestones. From drunken pilgrimages to sacrificial funerals\, national days to neo-pagan necromancy\, festivals represent human culture at its most vivid and varied\, and the resulting account is both a rich collection of travel writing and an anthropological exploration of the roles that festivals play in society. Through colourful characters\, vibrant sights\, and varied locales\, Daniel Stables takes a curious\, humanistic look at festivals across the world\, unravelling the universal threads that run through our diverse global celebrations. \nAbout the Author: \nDaniel Stables has been working as a travel writer for the last decade\, first writing guidebooks for Rough Guides\, and later writing articles for National Geographic\, the BBC\, and national newspapers. He has won acclaim and recognition for his work\, having been shortlisted for Travel Writer of the Year at the Freelance Writing Awards in 2021\, and for Travel Feature of the Year at 2023’s British Guild of Travel Writers awards.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/fiesta-launch-daniel-stables-in-conversation-with
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250819T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250819T113000
DTSTAMP:20250712T130603Z
CREATED:20250711T110233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T130603Z
UID:9269-1755599400-1755603000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Kids Yoga with Creative Calm Studio!
DESCRIPTION:Hey Little Yogis! It’s Time to Move\, Stretch\, and Smile! \nJoin us for a super fun morning full of wiggles\, giggles\, and peaceful breaths at House of Books and Friends! Let your body flow and your imagination soar as Creative Calm Studio leads us on a magical yoga adventure just for kids! \n🗓 Tuesday\, 19th August\n🕚 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM\n📍 House of Books and Friends \nAfter all the fun\, we’ll munch on a yummy packed lunch to keep those energy tanks full! \n🎟️ Best part? It’s totally FREE! But hurry — spots are flying away! Grab your place now and get ready for a morning of fun and calm!
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/kids-yoga-with-creative-calm-studio
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Children's Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Children-Summer-Programme-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250820T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250820T190000
DTSTAMP:20250718T101318Z
CREATED:20250623T134934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250718T101318Z
UID:9093-1755712800-1755716400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Feminist Book Club with Kate Feld
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are delighted to announce that we are hosting the Feminist Book Club with facilitator Kate Feld. Taking place monthly\, this will be a space for people of all genders to discuss feminist books. In August\, we will be reading Women and Power by Mary Beard. \nTickets \nBook and ticket \nTicket only \nAs always\, there are a limited amount of complimentary tickets available for those who need them. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597 365380. \nAbout the book \nBritain’s best-known classicist Mary Beard\, is also a committed and vocal feminist. With wry wit\, she revisits the gender agenda and shows how history has treated powerful women. Her examples range from the classical world to the modern day\, from Medusa and Athena to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton. Beard explores the cultural underpinnings of misogyny\, considering the public voice of women\, our cultural assumptions about women’s relationship with power\, and how powerful women resist being packaged into a male template. \nA year on since the advent of #metoo\, Beard looks at how the discussions have moved on during this time\, and how that intersects with issues of rape and consent\, and the stories men tell themselves to support their actions. In trademark Beardian style\, using examples ancient and modern\, Beard argues\, ‘it’s time for change – and now!’ \nFrom the author of international bestseller SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. \n 
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-feminist-book-club-with-kate-feld-9
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/feminist-book-club-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250825T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250825T200000
DTSTAMP:20250728T120801Z
CREATED:20250731T150025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T120801Z
UID:9455-1756148400-1756152000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club *ONLINE*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Monday 25th August 7-8pm via Zoom. This month\, we are reading Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg\,  a wild story of hidden passions\, power struggles and feral freedom in a women’s commune on a remote farm in Kent. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book:  \nThey thought they know everything about us. The kind of women we were. \nIris seeks a different kind of life. Promise comes in the form of Hazel\, who lives at Breach House – a women’s commune on a remote farm. At Breach House\, the women live and eat in abundance\, are guided by landscape and ritual\, all while under the leadership of their gargantuan matriarch\, Blythe. \nBut is Breach House truly the haven it seems? When an unforgivable transgression comes to light and power struggles intensify\, the women find themselves hurtling towards an act of devastating violence that will threaten everything they’ve fought to create.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/august-book-club-online
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/August-bookclub.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250827T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250827T190000
DTSTAMP:20250728T120738Z
CREATED:20250731T150003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T120738Z
UID:9458-1756317600-1756321200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club *EVENING SESSION*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Wednesday 27th August 6pm – 7pm in person. This month\, we are reading Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg\,  a wild story of hidden passions\, power struggles and feral freedom in a women’s commune on a remote farm in Kent. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the Book:  \nThey thought they know everything about us. The kind of women we were. \nIris seeks a different kind of life. Promise comes in the form of Hazel\, who lives at Breach House – a women’s commune on a remote farm. At Breach House\, the women live and eat in abundance\, are guided by landscape and ritual\, all while under the leadership of their gargantuan matriarch\, Blythe. \nBut is Breach House truly the haven it seems? When an unforgivable transgression comes to light and power struggles intensify\, the women find themselves hurtling towards an act of devastating violence that will threaten everything they’ve fought to create.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/august-book-club-evening-session
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/August-bookclub.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250828T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250828T150000
DTSTAMP:20250728T120712Z
CREATED:20250731T150029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T120712Z
UID:9461-1756389600-1756393200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club *AFTERNOON SESSION*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Thursday 28th August 2pm – 3pm in person. This month\, we are reading Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg\,  a wild story of hidden passions\, power struggles and feral freedom in a women’s commune on a remote farm in Kent. £10.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the Book:  \nThey thought they know everything about us. The kind of women we were. \nIris seeks a different kind of life. Promise comes in the form of Hazel\, who lives at Breach House – a women’s commune on a remote farm. At Breach House\, the women live and eat in abundance\, are guided by landscape and ritual\, all while under the leadership of their gargantuan matriarch\, Blythe. \nBut is Breach House truly the haven it seems? When an unforgivable transgression comes to light and power struggles intensify\, the women find themselves hurtling towards an act of devastating violence that will threaten everything they’ve fought to create.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/august-book-club-afternoon-session
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/August-bookclub.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250830T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250830T130000
DTSTAMP:20250711T110735Z
CREATED:20250711T110446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T110735Z
UID:9278-1756548000-1756558800@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:End of Summer Fete!
DESCRIPTION:It’s time to wiggle\, giggle\, and have a blast at our Summer Fete Fiesta! \nJoin us for a day bursting with:\n🎯 Silly games to play and win\n🎨 Magical face paints to turn you into your favorite story character\n✂️ Crafty crafts to make and take home\n…and soooo much MORE! \n🗓 Saturday\, 30th August\n📍House of Books and Friends \nPlus\, there’ll be tasty snacks ready to munch — just peek at the labels to stay safe! \n🎟️ Best part? It’s totally FREE! But hurry — spots are going quickly! Grab your place now at one of the following sessions: \n\nFirst session: 10am – 11am\nSecond session: 11am – 12pm \nThird session: 12pm – 1pm
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/end-of-summer-fete
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Children's Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Children-Summer-Programme-1-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250907T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250907T120000
DTSTAMP:20250827T145944Z
CREATED:20250803T114650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250827T145944Z
UID:9835-1757242800-1757246400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Little Bookworms September
DESCRIPTION:Have you got a little bookworm in your life? Then look no further than House of Books & Friends. We are excited to invite you to Little Bookworms\, our monthly book club for 8-12 years. The book club runs the first Sunday of every month\, 11am-12pm. \nFor September\, we will be reading In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen  by Kiran Millwood Hargreave. You have until the day of the book club to finish the title – this is available to buy as part of your ticket\, or you can purchase a ticket only. \nAs well as discussing the book\, there will be book-related activities each month for our Little Bookworms to get stuck into\, fun quizzes and games\, and squash and biscuits for all. Our Little Bookworms will also get their own book lovers passport to add to each month they attend as they jet set around the world through reading. \nAll sessions will be ticketed: £7.99 for the book and ticket\, and £2 for just the ticket. All little ones must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased on our website and in store. A limited number of complementary tickets will also be reserved for those who might need them so please do let us know. \nIf you have any questions about the book club or tickets\, you can always take a look at our website\, email us\, or ask a friendly bookseller in store. \nAbout the book: \nWhen her sister vanishes after a mysterious earthquake\, Ysolda sets off on a rescue mission. But these are dangerous times\, and soon she is forced to strike a deadly bargain with the wolf queen herself. \nJoin Ysolda and her loyal sea hawk as they embark on an epic quest to save her sister and unlock the earth’s most powerful magic … \nFrom the author of The Girl of Ink and Stars\, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies\, the Geomancer trilogy is a new modern classic for readers young and old.\n\nKiran Millwood Hargrave is winner of the Wainwright Prize\, the Waterstones Book Prize\, and the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/little-bookworms-september-2
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/LIL-BW-sept-25.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250917T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250917T193000
DTSTAMP:20250826T121525Z
CREATED:20250821T083153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T121525Z
UID:9929-1758132000-1758137400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Feminist Book Club with Kate Feld - September
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are delighted to announce that we are hosting the Feminist Book Club with facilitator Kate Feld. Taking place monthly\, this will be a space for people of all genders to discuss feminist books. In September\, we will be reading Recollections of my Non-Existence by Rebecca Solnit\, a landmark memoir from a voice of a generation\, and a rally cry for generations to come. \nTickets \nBook and ticket \nTicket only \nAs always\, there are a limited amount of complimentary tickets available for those who need them. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597 365380. \nAbout the book \nIn 1981\, Rebecca Solnit rented a studio apartment in San Francisco\, her home for the next twenty-five years. There she began the process of forging a voice in a society that preferred women to be silent. Liberated by West Coast activism\, growing gay pride and punk rock\, she broke through oppression and over time transformed into a writer and activist who speaks for the marginalised – galvanised to use her own voice for change.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/feminist-book-club-with-kate-september
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Our-September-title-is.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250922T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250922T200000
DTSTAMP:20250813T105654Z
CREATED:20250829T100044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T105654Z
UID:9851-1758567600-1758571200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club *ONLINE*
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Monday 22nd September 7-8pm via Zoom. This month\, we are reading Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino\,  an idiosyncratic novel full of both humour and pathos\, exploring themes of loneliness and belonging through the eyes of an unforgettable alien. £9.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups in breakout rooms to discuss the questions. A Zoom link will be emailed to ticketholders prior to the event starting. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book:  \nBorn at the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space\, Adina is a baby of unusual perception. Tiny and jaundiced\, she reaches for warmth and light. As a child\, she recognises she is different\, not least because of her strange knowledge of a faraway planet. Then a fax machine arrives at home. Her mission is clear: she must report on the oddities of humankind. \nAs Adina grows up\, she dispatches transmissions on the terrors and delights of human existence. But then she starts to wonder. Is there a chance there are others like her out there? \nAdina sees our world differently. And her gentle\, perceptive – and funny – observations offer a quietly joyful new view of life on Earth\, the challenge of knowing ourselves and the miracle of finding our people in this vast universe.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-online
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sept-bookclub.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250923T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250923T190000
DTSTAMP:20250826T133448Z
CREATED:20250829T093057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T133448Z
UID:9918-1758650400-1758654000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club - Evening Session
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Tuesday 23rd September 6-7pm in person. This month\, we are reading Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino\,  an idiosyncratic novel full of both humour and pathos\, exploring themes of loneliness and belonging through the eyes of an unforgettable alien. £9.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nOne of our booksellers will lead the book club\, and the group will be split up into smaller groups to discuss the questions. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book:  \nBorn at the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space\, Adina is a baby of unusual perception. Tiny and jaundiced\, she reaches for warmth and light. As a child\, she recognises she is different\, not least because of her strange knowledge of a faraway planet. Then a fax machine arrives at home. Her mission is clear: she must report on the oddities of humankind. \nAs Adina grows up\, she dispatches transmissions on the terrors and delights of human existence. But then she starts to wonder. Is there a chance there are others like her out there? \nAdina sees our world differently. And her gentle\, perceptive – and funny – observations offer a quietly joyful new view of life on Earth\, the challenge of knowing ourselves and the miracle of finding our people in this vast universe.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-evening-session
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sept-bookclub.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250925T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250925T150000
DTSTAMP:20250831T142409Z
CREATED:20250829T093455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250831T142409Z
UID:9920-1758808800-1758812400@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:The Book Club - Afternoon Session
DESCRIPTION:This session of The Book Club will take place on Thursday 25th September 2-3pm in person. This month\, we are reading Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino\,  an idiosyncratic novel full of both humour and pathos\, exploring themes of loneliness and belonging through the eyes of an unforgettable alien. £9.99 is the price of the book and a ticket to the session. The book can be delivered directly to you (please add your shipping address and tick the box for shipping) or you can collect it in store free of charge. You can buy a book and ticket here. \nIf you already own a copy of the book\, you can purchase a ticket alone for £3. You can purchase a ticket only here. \nFor those unable to afford a book or ticket at present\, we have a limited amount of complementary books/tickets. Please contact the bookshop via bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nWe always ask that you be respectful and kind whilst discussing the book and others’ opinions of it. \nAbout the book:  \nBorn at the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space\, Adina is a baby of unusual perception. Tiny and jaundiced\, she reaches for warmth and light. As a child\, she recognises she is different\, not least because of her strange knowledge of a faraway planet. Then a fax machine arrives at home. Her mission is clear: she must report on the oddities of humankind. \nAs Adina grows up\, she dispatches transmissions on the terrors and delights of human existence. But then she starts to wonder. Is there a chance there are others like her out there? \nAdina sees our world differently. And her gentle\, perceptive – and funny – observations offer a quietly joyful new view of life on Earth\, the challenge of knowing ourselves and the miracle of finding our people in this vast universe.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/the-book-club-afternoon-session
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
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ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251005T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251005T120000
DTSTAMP:20250828T114428Z
CREATED:20250907T120055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T114428Z
UID:9992-1759662000-1759665600@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Little Bookworms October
DESCRIPTION:Have you got a little bookworm in your life? Then look no further than House of Books & Friends. We are excited to invite you to Little Bookworms\, our monthly book club for 8-12 years. The book club runs the first Sunday of every month\, 11am-12pm. \nFor October\, we will be reading The Boy with the Big Decisions by Helen Rutter. You have until the day of the book club to finish the title – this is available to buy as part of your ticket\, or you can purchase a ticket only. \nAs well as discussing the book\, there will be book-related activities each month for our Little Bookworms to get stuck into\, fun quizzes and games\, and squash and biscuits for all. Our Little Bookworms will also get their own book lovers passport to add to each month they attend as they jet set around the world through reading. \nAll sessions will be ticketed: £7.99 for the book and ticket\, and £2 for just the ticket. All little ones must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased on our website and in store. A limited number of complementary tickets will also be reserved for those who might need them so please do let us know. \nIf you have any questions about the book club or tickets\, you can always take a look at our website\, email us\, or ask a friendly bookseller in store. \nAbout the book \nFred can’t make a decision about anything – his parents always tell him what to do\, from what to eat every day to which secondary school to choose. That’s how Fred has found himself a pupil at the high-pressure\, strict Gains School\, when he’d much rather be going to Browtree\, with its brilliant art department and kind teachers. \nAs Fred waits for the bus to his new school\, he sees the bus for Browtree pull up – and a wild\, thrilling\, thought strikes him. \nShould he jump on this bus and pretend he’s a new student at Browtree? \nWill he be brave enough to follow a different path for once? \nYou\, the reader\, will stand in Fred’s shoes and make decisions alongside him throughout this story. \nYou’ll help him stand-up for what he believes in\, learn what he truly loves to do\, make good friends and face choices about whether to swerve or walk into drama. \nYOU are in charge of The Boy With Big Decisions!
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/little-bookworms-october
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:The Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/LIL-BW-OCT-25.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251008T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251008T190000
DTSTAMP:20250910T150458Z
CREATED:20250902T145323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T150458Z
UID:10014-1759946400-1759950000@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:In Conversation: Anna Zoe Quirke 'Sad Girl Hours'
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends is thrilled to welcome Anna Zoe Quirke to discuss their new YA title Sad Girl Hours. Anna will be in conversation with Josh Silver\, author of TraumaLand\, on Wednesday 8th October from 6pm – 7pm. As well as a discussion on their new book\, there will also be a Q&A\, plus the chance to get your books signed by Anna. \nTickets\nClick here to buy a book and ticket – £8.99\nClick here to buy a ticket only – £5 \nAs always\, we have a limited amount of complimentary tickets for this event for anyone who needs it. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nAbout the book \nSaffron struggles with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and is dreading autumn and winter. She took time off in her first year at university and can’t afford to do the same this year if she’s going to achieve her dream of being an astrophysicist. She’s managed to keep it a secret from her friends – fearing that they won’t want to spend time with her if they see her at her lowest – but it’s getting harder. Especially when she meets Nell. \nNell – wannabe poet\, autistic and proud\, and lover of autumn and winter – is determined to show Saffron everything these seasons have to offer. The two grow close\, and when Saffron confides in Nell\, romance blooms. But with Saffron struggling to keep a lid on her mental health and Nell figuring out her own sexual identity\, things soon spiral out of control. \nA dual-perspective sapphic rom-com perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alice Oseman. \nAbout Zoe \nAnna Zoe Quirke is a queer and autistic author\, librarian\, and freelance writer from the North of England. They’ve written books\, scripts\, poetry (and much more). Their novel ‘Something to be Proud of’ won the Northern Writers’ Award for Debut YA Fiction in 2022\, was shortlisted for the PFD Queer Fiction Prize\, was published with Little Tiger in June 2024\, and was nominated for a Carnegie Award in 2025.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/in-conversation-anna-zoe-quirke-sad-girl-hours
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Author Event
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ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T193000
DTSTAMP:20250915T134641Z
CREATED:20250915T134641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T134641Z
UID:10157-1760551200-1760556600@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:Feminist Book Club with Kate Feld - October
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends are delighted to announce that we are hosting the Feminist Book Club with facilitator Kate Feld. Taking place monthly\, this will be a space for people of all genders to discuss feminist books. In October\, we will be reading Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector\, a genre-blurring and formally audacious novel translated by Benjamin Moser. \nTickets \nBook and ticket \nTicket only \nAs always\, there are a limited amount of complimentary tickets available for those who need them. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597 365380. \nAbout the book \nLispector’s final novel is among her best — a haunting exploration of innocence\, femininity\, illness\, and identity-slippage. The Hour of the Star follows Macabéa\, a typist living in the slums of Rio whose grasp on reality is confused and oblique. Yet\, as our narrator Rodrigo S.M. comes to realize\, Macabéa’s tenuous existence also affords her an inner freedom. Publisher’s Weekly has called Lispector a ‘literary magician’\, and this novel certainly contains enough wonder\, will\, and beauty to merit that description.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/feminist-book-club-with-kate-feld-october
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WITH-KATE-FELD.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251016T190000
DTSTAMP:20250906T095705Z
CREATED:20250903T113509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250906T095705Z
UID:10026-1760635800-1760641200@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:TASTING EVENT: Bold Bean Co 'Full of Beans'
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends is overjoyed to welcome Bold Bean Co to discuss their new cook book\, Full of Beans. Lead by Hannah Wilding\, not only will we hear about some of the 70 new recipes\, the evening will include a cook-a-long of a recipe that features in this gorgeous cook book. Attendees will also receive free drinks on the night provided by Botivo\, and a goodie bag full of Bold Bean Co treats! \nTickets\nClick here to buy a book and ticket – £22\nClick here to buy a ticket only – £5 \nAs always\, we have a limited amount of complimentary tickets for this event for anyone who needs it. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nAbout the book \nGet ready to become bean obsessed!\n\nBack by popular demand\, here are 70 brand new\, individually photographed recipes from the trailblazing Bold Beans company. Following their Sunday Times Bestseller Bold Beans: Recipes to get your Pulse Racing\, a legion of ‘bean champs’ has sprung up via social media and supermarket shoppers\, independent food store aficionados and word-of-mouth enthusiasts to call for more fantastic bean recipes. \nOrganised by types of beans and featuring the brand’s newly launched black beans\, borlotti beans\, queen carlin peas and queen red beans\, new recipes include ‘beanottos’ and tray bakes for creating sensational\, super-healthy and totally unprocessed meals that are both planet-friendly and ultra delicious. \nAbout Bold Bean Co \nBold Bean Co. is on a mission to make the world obsessed with beans. They aim to showcase the best legumes can offer by offering slow-cooked heirloom beans produced for full flavour. The brand was born in 2021 and continues to champion and spotlight the creative ways beans can be used at the centre of a plate.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/tasting-event-bold-bean-co-full-of-beans
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BEAN-CO-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251023T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251023T193000
DTSTAMP:20250918T113203Z
CREATED:20250917T125732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T113203Z
UID:10184-1761242400-1761247800@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:AUTHOR EVENT: Act Normal with Pete Kalu
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends is ecstatic to welcome Pete Kalu on 23rd October to discuss his memoir\, Act Normal. The event will begin at 6pm\, and will consist of a discussion between Pete and chair Esther Lisk-Carew\, a Q&A\, and a chance to get your copy signed. \nTickets\nClick here to buy a book and ticket – £14.99\nClick here to buy a ticket only – £5 \nAs always\, we have a limited amount of complimentary tickets for this event for anyone who needs it. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nAbout the book \nThrough fragmented memories\, vivid imagery\, and introspective musings\, Kalu explores a range of themes\, from the joys and anxieties of childhood to the complexities of adult relationships\, career struggles\, and the enduring search for meaning. Act Normal invites readers to delve into the author’s inner world\, confronting universal themes of love\, loss\, identity\, and the search for connection. \nThrough his unique and insightful perspective\, Kalu challenges conventional narratives and encourages readers to question their own assumptions about life\, love\, and the world around them. \nAbout Pete Kalu \nPete Kalu is a 2024 winner of the Society of Authors Travelling Scholarship Award. He has previously won the BBC/Contact Dangerous Comedy Award and The Voice / Marcus Garvey Essay Award. He received his PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in 2019. His essays can be found scattered in publications including Encounters with James Baldwin (Supernova Books 2024) and academic journals. His most recent short stories have been published by Peepal Tree. He is a Writers Mosaic alumnus and was writer in residence at University of West Indies\, Trinidad Campus. He is a Reading Fellow of Royal Literary Fund. \nAbout Esther Lisk-Carew \nBy day Esther Lisk-Carew works with Arts and Humanities Research Academics at Manchester Metropolitan University and by night works with cultural creatives as a events host\, network lead for Black and Global Majority professionals\, as a freelancer and as a careers mentor. She is also a board member for the Portico Library.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/author-event-act-normal-with-pete-kalu
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/act-normal-3.png
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251027T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251027T190000
DTSTAMP:20250930T140637Z
CREATED:20250927T174613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T140637Z
UID:10248-1761588000-1761591600@houseofbooksandfriends.live
SUMMARY:AUTHOR EVENT: Park Seolyeon with Anton Hur 'Capitalists Must Starve'
DESCRIPTION:House of Books & Friends is excited to welcome Park Seolyeon to the store on 27th October at 6pm to discuss her new book\, Capitalists Must Starve. Seolyeon will be joined by her translator Anton Hur\, translator of Seolyeon’s previous translated title\, A Magical Girl Retires. The event will consist of a discussion between Seolyeon and Anton (with an interrpretor attending)\, a Q&A\, and a chance to get your copy signed. \nTickets \nClick here to buy a book and ticket – £14.99\nClick here to buy a ticket only – £5 \nAs always\, we have a limited amount of complimentary tickets for this event for anyone who needs it. Please contact us directly at bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live or call 07597365380. \nAbout the book \nWinner of Hankyoreh Literature Award  \nSet against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea\, Capitalists Must Starve follows a sharp-tongued\, big-hearted heroine who dares to love\, rebel\, and carve out space for working-class women in a world determined to silence them. Echoing the unflinching narratives of Alias Grace and the sweeping historical vision of Pachinko\, this feminist historical novel balances raw grit with unexpected tenderness and a defiant streak of dark humour. \nA stirring portrait of resistance from below: fierce\, funny\, and full of fight. \nAbout Park Seolyeon \nBorn in 1989 in Cherwon\, Park Seolyeon made her debut winning the Silcheon Munhak New Writers Prize in 2015 for her short story “Mickey Mouse Club.” Her books include the novels The Job of Marta\, The Shirley Club\, A Magical Girl Retires\, Project V and Capitalists Must Starve\, which won the 2018 Hankyoreh Literature Prize\, as well as the story collections My Hormones Made Me Do It\, Your Mom’s the Better Player\, and Me\, Me\, Madeline. Her stories have been translated into Japanese\, French\, German\, and English. She lives in Seoul\, South Korea. \nAbout Anton Hur \nAnton Hur was born in Stockholm. He is the author of Toward Eternity and has been nominated for the International Booker Prize\, the National Book Award\, the National Book Critics Circle Award\, and the Dublin Literary Award for his various translations including Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park and A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon. He lives in Seoul.
URL:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/event/author-event-park-seolyeon-with-anton-hur-capitalists-must-starve
LOCATION:House of Books & Friends\, 81 King Street\, Manchester\, M2 4AH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://houseofbooksandfriends.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/capitalists-must-starve.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="House of Books & Friends":MAILTO:bookworms@houseofbooksandfriends.live
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