By Shuangyue Zhao, Tehzib Janjua and Ellie Gordon
The Bookshops team have compiled a series of events that are taking place in independent bookshops across the UK. Independent bookshops are great champions of events and groups of special interest, and you can always rely on them to have a lovely community feel. Here are a few of the events we are most excited about!
October Books: Bring Your Own Book (Zoom)
October Books holds a monthly virtual book club with the tagline “bring your own book and share its magic.” This is a monthly, one-hour session that promises you the opportunity to finally recommend that book you’ve loved but haven’t been able to get anyone else to read. With its online format and 7:00 p.m. start time, this book club is perfect for anyone who wants to take part in bookish discussions without having to leave the comfort of their own home.
The freedom of not having to read a set book, but instead coming away with new recommendations, is liberating for anyone who struggles with assigned reading.
The September session will run on 20 September 2022 starting at 7:00 p.m., with a maximum run time of one hour. Click here for further information and to book your free virtual seat. But not to worry, if you can’t make it this month, there’s always next month's Bring Your Own Book session!
Treadwell’s Books: The Meaning of Witchcraft – Julian Vayne Lecture (Zoom)
Julian Vayne is an occultist with over thirty-five years’ experience, whose work is informed by chaos magic and by lineages in Wicca and Tantra. In his lecture, hosted by Treadwell’s Books, the audience is taken across the world of witchcraft – from the witch-hunts of the 17th century to the mountains of South America, from Wicca to Traditional Craft and more. Julian explains what witchcraft means to people from different times and places, including the pagan revival of the 20th century. As well as surveying witchcraft across the centuries, he also looks at how witchcraft is developing right now. Julian offers an insightful overview of the multi-faceted tradition of magical practice.
This online lecture will start at 7:00p.m. on 22 September 2022 and will last for one and a half hours. Book your £10 digital ticket here and find details of how to access the event recording.
As an independent bookshop specialising in witchcraft, Treadwell’s Books not only sells rare and quirky books, but also provides events including regular lectures and workshops both online and in-person, occasional walking tours, and appointments for Tarot readings. Some more upcoming events include: Moon and Tide Magic – Workshop on 15 September, Mythic London – Caroline Wise's Super-walk on 18 September, Priestess and Witch: Thorn Mooney & Rebecca Beattie in Conversation on 2 October, Meeting the Figures of Death – Lecture on 3 October.
If you are attracted by witchcraft, religion, mystery and spirituality, this unique bookstore is the place for you. Find out more information on its website and pay a visit to the address 33 Store Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7BS where you may find something to house or comfort your soul.
Linghams Books: An Evening with Raynor Winn (Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SG)
Join Linghams booksellers as they welcome Raynor Winn, the bestselling author of The Salt Path, as she discusses her latest release Landmine. In a haunting capture of both the environment and the nation's growing divide, Winn details her journey from the Cape Wrath Trail in the north-west corner of Scotland to the south-west Coast Path. She questions whether we remain single-minded in our approach to preserving and protecting the environment, even as the nation becomes more fractured.
Taking place in Linghams Booksellers, going to this event is a great opportunity to listen to a bestselling travel writer whilst supporting an independent bookshop that strives to support its local community.
This evening with Raynor Winn takes place on 21 September 2022, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. Tickets start at £10 and go up to £20 (£20 includes the purchase of the book). For further information or to book your ticket click here.
Housmans – Queer Book Club (5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX)
The longest continuous-running radical bookshop in the UK, Housmans is an independent bookshop which champions and celebrates the voices of minorities. They specialise in books which encourage progressive politics and alternative thinking, and promote the works of Black, queer and feminist authors. With its roots as a temporary bookshop space for the Peace Pledge Union, the bookshop was officially established by Laurence Housman in the aftermath of World War Two, as he sought to promote ideas of peace and human rights through literature. The bookshop remains faithful to its early pledges, having now spent decades supporting minorities in the fight for justice.
To celebrate this, Housmans runs a Queer Book Club which reads a range of LGBTQIA+ fiction and non-fiction. They meet every second Thursday of the month, from 7:00–8.30p.m. Click here to find out the details and learn more about Housman’s exciting past.
We hope you enjoy discovering the events these great bookshops have to offer.