Cliff

Review: August Blue

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  Deborah Levy’s latest novel is perhaps her most compelling and fulfilling. Elsa, an acclaimed concert pianist, is in Athens when she spies a woman who looks to be her exact double. Thus begins a journey across Europe where this doppleganger is always somewhere near, just in the fringes of her vision. As Elsa’s obsession increases against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, the lines between fiction and reality blur with Elsa struggling to maintain her identity. “My startling thought … Read more

Independent Bookshop Week 2023!

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This year’s Independent Bookshop Week runs from 17th – 24th June, and it’s an extra special time as we’re also celebrating The Bookery’s 10th Birthday! We’ll be unveiling our great new extension and event space – so drop in any time, this happy event is as much about our loyal patrons and customers as it is about our brilliant, growing bookshop. Our special day of celebrations starts on Saturday 17th June from 10am. It will be a fun-packed morning of … Read more

Review: Demon Copperhead

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  Barbara Kingsolver’s epic deep dive into America’s 1980’s opioid crisis through the eyes of one young man is an achievement to be applauded. Taking Charles Dickens’ classic novel David Copperfield as it’s inspiration and broad structure, Demon Copperhead follows the fortunes of Damon Fields from a childhood of poverty and social care, through to a darker adulthood of crime and addiction. As he struggles to survive and carve out a life for himself in the backwaters of Virginia USA, … Read more

Annette’s Devon Bookshelf

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2023 Nature Month-By-Month: A Children’s Almanac by Anna Wilson I’d like to have consulted my junior helper on this one, but it was past his bedtime. However, I think I know what his reaction would be: ‘Auntie Nette, this book says everything!’ It certainly does. ‘It’s got lists of special dates, food we can cook and how to make a garden in an egg cup!’ I’m quite excited by the scope of the Almanac. It’s a fantastic, fully illustrated delight, … Read more

The Bookery’s Top Titles 2023

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Top Titles

Browse this years’ 20 Top Titles. The reviews below are written by our schools team, who read hundreds of books and selected these as good reads offering a range of themes and cultural and gender diversity to promote Reading for Pleasure.  Click on the covers to find out more about individual titles and click to buy discounted book bundles from £40.00. Picture Books Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery This funny, colourfully illustrated counting book tells the story of 10 … Read more

Review: How To Make A Story

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  Stuffed with creativity, this is a gorgeous picture book about Milo, a little boy who wanted a brand new story and the exciting journey he goes on to make up the story himself. Making a story seems like a great idea, the only problem is that Milo’s not sure how to start. With a little help from his family, some real-life inspiration, and a lot of imagination, Milo’s story is soon off to a flying start. Cleverly woven into … Read more

Books That Help

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We’re really proud to be supporting children’s author Clare Helen Welsh with an important new initiative Books That Help, a collection of sharing books to help people through tough times. Clare has collated a list of sharing picture books to open conversations about challenging topics and create emotionally honest spaces where children (and adults) feel able to express their feelings and are supported to navigate them. You can find a range of picture books that offer support through life’s ups … Read more

Annette’s Devon Bookshelf

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Divine Love: The Art Of The Nativity by Sarah Drummond In the introduction Sarah writes: “The feast of Christmas is embedded in our earliest childhood memories: a crescendo of excitement leads up to the day following weeks of preparation…’ How this has been depicted over the years is shown through the best offerings from the art world from Bruegel to Lippi. In typical Unicorn Publishing style, the book is lavish and high quality. I’ve had the privilege of meeting both … Read more

Review: Bournville

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  Against the backdrop of the Quaker village in the midlands which was the home of chocolate, Bournville tells the story of four generations of a family from the area. Touching on notable events such as the coronation of Elizabeth II, England’s World Cup success of 1966, all they way up to the recent pandemic, where we see the family grow and change with the times as their lives untangle across the globe. Jonathan Coe’s last book Middle England deftly … Read more

Christmas at The Bookery

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A massive thank you to everyone who has ordered from our website, emailed us, phoned us and visited us in the shop – we’re grateful to each and every one of you for your support. We’re currently knee-deep in orders and deliveries, but wanted to take this chance to keep you informed as to the last days we expect to get your books to you. Orders by post With widespread industrial action we’re saying the latest date to order for … Read more