Cliff

Annette’s Devon Bookshelf

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Annette Shaw is a freelance writer and a book group organiser, and has a regular column in Devon Life, sharing her pick of brilliant books with Devon connections. With her reputation for championing books and authors around the county, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase her reviews here. Adrift by Tracey Williams What would a green dragon be doing at Bigbury Bay? This quirky tale, which is true, explains all. It began on Thursday 13 February 1997 when … Read more

Picador Collection

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In 2022, Picador celebrates its 50th anniversary and the launch of the Picador Collection, a new list of contemporary classics taken from and inspired by the last fifty years of Picador’s agenda-setting and boundary-pushing publishing. Sonny Mehta first launched Picador as an imprint in 1972 with the aim of publishing outstanding international writing. The Picador Paperback Originals quickly became known for their iconic white spines, which were the mainstay of many readers’ bookshelves. These books were known for being challenging, … Read more

Review: These Silent Mansions

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  A charming and informative meander around graveyards that Jean Sprackland has known – to uncover some of the extraordinary stories of those at rest, and reflect on the changing customs of burials and memorials. Wherever she has lived, Sprackland has visited graveyards. In ‘These Silent Mansions’ she re-visits these special places to learn more about some of those buried and commemorated; not the famous who “can look after themselves” but people now forgotten whose stories still have meaning for … Read more

What We’ve Been Reading Recently

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Despite the busy and sometimes breakneck pace of The Bookery, we always find time for our reading! The greatest pleasure for us here is getting to share our thoughts on the brilliant books we read, and recommend them to all of you! Below are some of our recent favourites…

Patron Spotlight: Patrick Gale

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This week we chatted to The Bookery patron Patrick Gale about his new book Mother’s Boy. Set in the early twentieth century, Mother’s Boy follows the life of the British poet Charles Causley. A story of love and war, class and belonging, the novel focuses in on the special relationship between Charles and his mother Laura. What inspired you to write Mother’s Boy? I was inspired by my growing obsession with Charles’ work and life, fired by my time as … Read more

World Book Day 2022!

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World Book Day in nearly upon us and the schools team at The Bookery have been busy prepping and planning a fortnight of school visits with our new selection of Top Titles. Demand was so high this year the fortnight filled in 24 hours, and we have a waiting list! We can’t wait to get out there again and inspire young readers with the love of books. ‘These events you do are always a great opportunity to get the children … Read more

Review: Stepping Up

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  Stepping Up is the debut novel by Sarah Turner, known for her blog The Unmumsy Mum and her best-selling non-fiction books, The Unmumsy Mum, The Unmumsy Mum Diary and The Unmumsy Mum A-Z. Thanks to Sarah’s publisher, we are incredibly excited to review this early proof edition. Out in March 2022, this feel-good read is sure to be a hit. Commercial, uplifting and women’s fiction fans, read on… Beth has never stuck at anything. She’s quit more jobs and relationships than … Read more

The Bookery Assists Rashford’s Goal!

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The Bookery’s superstar volunteer Tilly reports on the success of our recent crowdfunder, held in conjunction with Marcus Rashford and Macmillan Publishing. Part of The Bookery’s mission is to enable access to books and cultural opportunities regardless of income or other barriers. We identified Marcus Rashford’s latest book as a positive and inspiring guide for life, showing our young people how to be the best they can be. The past 18 months have raised huge challenges and children in poverty … Read more

Ideal Books For Nature Lovers

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Some of the most beautiful and interesting books out this year touch on themes of nature, place, the environment we live in and how we interact with it. We’ve compiled some real standouts which are perfect to both give as gifts and perhaps to add to your own festive wish list!

Festive Gift Books To Tickle The Funny Bone

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These are our pick of some of the funniest and most interesting gift books to put in a loved one’s stocking. The weird and wonderful sit aside the interesting and poignant, and there’s sure to be a little something for everyone here.