By Maria Sadek, Sabeehah Saleq and Erin Evett
New Year’s Book Swap
7 January, 10 a.m.
Looking for the perfect bookish way to kick off your new year? Your search is over! The New Year Book Swap is perfect for you if you care about adding new books to your ever-growing collection in a fun and sustainable way. It may also be a nice way to meet other book-minded people! This is for a great cause, as any cash donations will go towards the Northfields Community Library. The best part is that tickets are free. Get your tickets here, and invite your friends along too.
Breakfast Book Club
8 January, 10–11 a.m.
If you’ve always wanted to join a book club, but are put off by the idea of having to keep up with deadlines for reading set texts, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Books on the Hill are launching this fantastic book club, where you’ll get to meet other book lovers and discuss the books you are currently reading and loving. No pressure, just good book conversations. Find out more here.
An Evening With Clare Whitfield
10 January
Waterstones, Winchester High Street
Bookseller at Waterstones Winchester High Street, Bob Smith, will be in conversation with Clare Whitfield about her novels, People of Abandoned Character (2020), and The Gone and Forgotten (2021). Her award winning debut People of Abandoned Character is constructed around the Jack the Ripper murders, and The Gone and Forgotten is a coming-of-age psychological thriller set in 90s Shetland. It’s a great opportunity to hear about these popular books, and refreshments will be served on the night. For more information, click here.
Snowflake: Breaking Through Mental Health Stereotypes and Stigma with Lucy Nichol
11 January, 7 p.m.
Waterstones, Newcastle
Join author and journalist, Lucy Nichol, as she discusses her new book, Snowflake. In it, she aims to de-stigmatise mental health by discussing common stereotypes and misconceptions, while also commenting on the role of social media and how mental health is presented in the press and popular culture. She will be joined in conversation with Sue Baker, OBE, International Mental Health Consultant, Changing Minds Globally and BBC Radio Newcastle presenter, Anna Foster. More panellists will be announced in due course. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
An Introduction to Production, Get Into Publishing
14 January
Online event
Get Into Book Publishing’s first course of the year is happening on the 14 January and is all about the exciting world of book production. Whether you have considered a career in this field before or not, this course will be an excellent way to learn the different skills and knowledge needed when producing a book, and will give you a great overview of the different sectors the publishing industry encapsulates. The interactive and immersive event will last the whole day and will be taught by leading expert in book production, Heather O’Connell, who will explore all the stages a manuscript passes through before becoming a printed and bound book. Get Into Publishing are also offering sponsored places for this course, which you can find out more about, as well as looking at more information, by clicking this link.
York One-Day Book Fair
14 January
York Racecourse
A one-day book fair at York Racecourse which promises to be a great event. The book fair includes a variety of different booksellers catering to many interests. Complimentary admit-two tickets are available on the York Book Fair website, here.
Meet the Author! Book Signing with Rebecca Ryan
14 January, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Waterstones, Huddersfield
Meet local author, Rebecca Ryan, as she discusses her debut novel, My (extra)Ordinary Life. It follows protagonist Emily, as she seeks to turn her very average existence upside down and become more exciting. For more information, click here.
Meet Charlotte Greedy, Swansea
14 January, 10 a.m.
Don’t miss out on the chance to meet social media star, Charlotte Greedy, as she signs copies of her new book, You Do You: The Inspirational Guide To Getting The Life You Want. It promises to be an inspiring evening, in which Greedy talks about how to get the life you want by being your authentic self. For more information and ticket prices, or to see alternate tour dates, please click here.
Cailean Steed Launches Home
17 January, 7–8:30 p.m.
Waterstones, Glasgow
If you love thrillers, then you won’t want to miss out on Cailean Steed’s debut novel, Home, which focuses on an emotional story about cults and what it means to be home. Cailean will be joined in discussion by Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen and Fishnets, as they talk about important themes in their respective novels, including cults and the role of the family. For more information and ticket prices, click here.