Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR 2008 British Book Industry Awards
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Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR 2008 British Book Industry Awards |
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Some highlights from past events at Mr B's
February 2009 Laurence Shorter - "The Optimist"
As the perfect antidote to all all the depressing credit-crunch talk, we invited Laurence Shorter to come and discuss his widely praised book "The Optimist" in which he looks at the concept of optimism and travels the world to seek out some of the most optimistic people (from Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Mick Jagger) and gets right to the core of this most vital of philosophies.
January 2009 Caroline Harris "Ms Harris' Book of Green Household Management" We hosted a very lively launch party for the release of Caroline Harris' very topical new guide to all things useful and green - Ms Harris' Book of Green Household Management, published by John Murray. A beautifully produced book which is exactly the book everyone needs on their kitchen shelf to refer to time and time again.
September 2008
Debut-novelist Jennie Rooney gave her first reading from the much-hailed (and Radio 4 featured) "Inside the Whale" at Mr B's on Thursday 18th September as part of our ongoing "Rising Talents" sequence of events. Jennie cleverly fielded a barrage of questions not just about characterisation and the inspiration for the book, but also on how to go about writing a novel in your lunchbreak. Jennie wrote her novel whilst working as a lawyer in London and has now given up the law to write full-time, and judging by audience enthusiasm and admiration for her career path, employers of Bath should be on their guard.
The autumn season that followed our expansion to a new third floor in Summer 2008, was kicked off by one our favourite young British novelists, Bethan Roberts reading from "A Good Plain Cook". One of the Mr B's book groups had already read her first, and notably more sinister, novel "The Pools", but on Thursday 11th September Bethan was here to read from her recently published second novel. Through a wonderful reading and a great question and answer session Bethan introduced us all to Ellen Steinberg - a character based on Peggy Guggenheim - and the book's real star, Kitty Allen, the local girl who answers Ellen's advertisement to become the good plain cook of the book's title.
[Apologies for some glaring omissions whilst we update this section of the site]
October 2007
We had a very busy events line-up for the early Autumn. First up was Booker-prize winner Yann Martel who drew a huge crowd to the Elwin Room at BRSLI as he came to introduce a lavish new special illustrated edition of his masterpiece "Life of Pi" and to answer many, many questions about his intriguing work -like, "what was with the meercats?".
We then launched local author Caroline Kington's second novel "A Summerstoke Affair" to a merry crowd as well as Kirsten Elliott's "Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Bath" along with her and Andrew Swift's "Somerset Pubs". We were also joined by Bath Spa Uni professor Tessa Hadley as she read from her latest novel "Master Bedroom" and then had a great time tasting cider and organic apples in celebration of Apple Day as Sue Clifford and Angela King discussed their gorgeous new book "The Apple Source Book".
September 2007
We hosted a large crowd to a fascinating talk in the Elwin Room at BRSLI on the story of the struggle to win the rights and freedoms we enjoy in the West and how relevant this is to today, when these are gradually being eroded in the face of the "war against terror" and the rise of fundamentalism.
Robert Twigger - Reading from his new travel book "Lost Oasis" - August 2007 Modern-day adventurer Robert Twigger laid down his snake catching kit to follow in the footsteps of seasoned explorers in search of lost oasis.
Patrick Gale - Introducing his new novel "Notes from An Exhibition" - Thursday 19th July 2007 Another packed house came to hear the enigmatic Patrick read from his new book.
Caroline Carver - Launch of her latest thriller "Gone Without Trace" - Thursday 12th July 2007 We had people pouring out onto the street for the launch of Caroline's latest book. A great night and thanks to all who came along to celebrate.
Julia Hailes - New Green Consumer Guide - Thursday 21st June 2007 Julia gave us a very lively and informative talk on all things environmental, introducing us to her new book "The New Green Consumer Guide", fully updated and packed with useful tips and a great green reference for all. Mr B's was One Year Old on that day too and Blackstones baked us a heavenly "Green" cake (i.e. with peppermint icing!)
Matthew Kneale - When We Were Romans - Wednesday 6th June 2007 We were honoured to have Matthew to give the first ever reading from his much anticipated new novel "When We Were Romans". He gave us an interesting insight into how he went about writing from the point of view of a 9 year old boy.
Maureen Freely - Enlightenment - Wednesday 18th April 2007 To another sell-out crowd, Maureen read to us from her new novel "Enlightenment", a fiercely intelligent, political thriller set in modern day Turkey, where no-one knows who to trust anymore. She also gave us an insight into life growing up in Turkey, her translations of works by Orhan Pamuk and on the current day political situation in Turkey.
Tom Hodgkinson - How to be Free - Thursday 15th February 2007 To a sell-out crowd, Tom gave an incredibly interesting talk on how to free ourselves from the shackles modern day life binds us in. Drawing on medieval thinkers, US beats, British punks and all manner of writers and thinkers, his approach of starting to control our own time and money in an over-consumer based society was refreshing stuff indeed. From learning to play the Ukulele, making your own bread, not signing up to direct debit and breaking free from supermarkets he is striking a chord with many and we were lucky indeed to have him come to our "proper" shop (his words, not ours!). Thank you Tom and to all - be idle and be free.
Kate Lee - Touch and feel Santa kids' event - Saturday 9th December 2006 Kate read from her very fun Christmas Santa touch and feel book and brought in some Christmas tree cards and lots of glittery bits for the kids to stick on. Great fun and a big hit with the kids.
Jeremy Seal - Reading from and discussing his book history/travelogue "Santa: A life" - Thursday 7th December 2006 Jeremy gave a very engaging introduction to his book on the history of Santa and all the traditions that surround one of the world's most famous icons - from his origins as a Byztantine monk to the present day big fat man in red who comes down the chimney bearing gifts, we found out everything from where the reindeer and sleigh came from and why he's dressed in red to how he links in with Father Christmas. Very entertaining and a great question and answer session too. Thanks Jeremy.
Seeing in the Ski Season - Launch of "The Art of Skiing" by Jenny de Gex - Thursday 23rd November 2006 This gorgeous coffee-table book celebrates the art of the vintage ski posters from 1870 to 1950s. The author Jenny de Gex, a local lady, came to sign copies and partake of the warming mulled wine and divine Austrian nibbles provided by Hansel & Gretel (on Margaret's Buildings). It was fun and festive and we managed to steam up our windows, such was the crowd!
Jeremy Bowen - Wednesday 15th November 2006 We were honoured to have Jeremy Bowen come to speak about his memoirs of life as a BBC war correspondent which he's written about in a new book "War Stories". He gave an extremely honest and open presentation to a packed room at the Guildhall followed by dozens of questions on everything from his favourite war-time movies to his opinions on the current situation in the Middle East.
Shakespeare, Gunpowder & Plot - Wednesday 1 November 2006 Authors Alice Hogge and Claire Asquith gave us an intriguing look behind the scenes of the gunpowder plot and at the hidden code and politics in Shakespeare. Extremely interesting and lively question and answer session. Perfect for a pre-Guy Fawkes night!
Afternoon Tea and Book Signing - Mr & Mrs Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - Wednesday 18th October 2006 The perfectly-tailored gurus of style arrived looking immaculate to sign their book "A Pinch of Posh - A Beginner's Guide to Being Civilised". They were as charismatic as you'd expect and were, frankly, perfectly charming. Even the Mayor of Bath came along (as a big LLB fan!). A few signed copies still available at the shop but are going like gateaux chauds! Call 01225 331155 to buy one or email books@mrbsemporium.com.
To see what the Bath Chronicle had to say, click here Here are some shots of the event. For the very fabulous photo of Vlashka with the LLBs, click here.
Launch of Mr B's Booktastic Hour for Kids - Saturday 23rd September 2006 With the lovely Joanna Nadin - author of the fun and gory pirate adventure book "Jake Jellicoe and the Dread Pirate Redbeard". A fun reading, some colouring-in of pirate ships and treasure maps and then a great big lucky pirate dip into Mr B's bath! Of course Vlashka also got right into the spirit of things with her pirate bandana.
Miles Kington - 31st August 2006 Hot on his wife's tail, broadcaster and writer Miles Kington came to Mr B's on 31st August to give a hilarious talk on how not to believe anything you read in autobiographies! and introduced his book "Someone like me" newly out in paperback - a kind of spoof autobiography. Click here to buy his book/see a review.
Caroline Kington - 17th August 2006 Local author Caroline came in on 17th August to read from her great new debut novel "A Tangled Summer" and fielded an array of questions from readers. Click here to buy her book/see a review.
Christopher Wakling - 3rd August 2006 Crime writer Christopher Wakling graced Mr B's on 3rd August to read from his third novel "The Undertow". It went extremely well and he signed a bunch more books for us, so you can still buy signed copies in store or online (please specify you want a signed copy).
Official Launch - Kathy Lette We were honoured to have the flamboyant and fabulous Kathy Lette officially open our shop on 1st July 2006 and sign copies of her latest novel "How to kill your husband (and other handy household hints)". She was a great hit and opened the shop in style! You can see the article about the opening in the Bath Chronicle by clicking here.
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Ó Mr B 's Emporium Limited 14-15 John Street, Bath, BA1 2JL Open: Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6.30pm ( 01225 33 11 55 Email: books@mrbsemporium.com |
Professor
A.C.Grayling - discussing his new book "Towards the Light" - September
2007
