News

Whether or not you marked the Coronation this weekend, I hope, like me, you've enjoyed seeing bunting fluttering in the spring sunshine (after the rain) in our towns and villages. And the event itself I thought was another example of pomp and pageantry done beautifully.

I love the teamwork involved in big events. The soldiers managing their skittish horses, the children holding the trains, the thousands of service personnel all marching in time from one instruction, how everyone knew their place and where they should be at what time. And I loved watching the bishops as they kept ferreting into their vestments or down the sides of their chairs to whip out another cue card for the King or Archbishop to recite for the next line in the proceedings. It's wonderful to see how everyone worked together to present their contribution to the whole occasion.

On a much, much smaller scale(!) I have the organisation of an author event to consider in this coming week. Will you be joining us? It's Thursday evening and it will be another celebratory occasion as we meet novelist Kate Sawyer on the day her book 'This Family' is published. If you've joined us at an author event before, you'll know that these are always interesting, stimulating and enjoyable evenings, so I hope you'll buy your ticket here and come along. 

And two of our book group members are taking part in the final rehearsals for their performances later this month. Sarah Atkins and Jill Alexandrou are starring in the Deben Players' production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution in Woodbridge on 17-20 May. Perhaps you'll join me in cheering them on! 

Thank you for reading.

I think we all have our favourite writers. Authors that we turn to, sure of what to expect whether in story or style, and who fill us with a sense of excitement and anticipation when they bring out a new book.

But it's also nice to find someone new, to discover something fresh and to feel a sense of other avenues opening up!

Of course trying someone new brings an element of risk, particularly if that writer is releasing their first book. Then we're dependent on the appeal of the title, an enticing blurb and attractive cover design, and recommendations, of course, whether by trusted names or an enthusiastic friend or bookseller.

We've discovered some real gems recently. 'Lessons in Chemistry' was one of my particular farvourites. And during lockdown we discovered Suffolk writer Kate Sawyer with her incredible debut novel 'The Stranding'.

A survey by the publishing trade journal The Bookseller this week (with reports and comments in the national press) revealed just how tough it can be for authors to release their first book.

Kate's first book was released during lockdown. She quickly realised that without a launch party or even bookshops, she needed to take action of her own to make sure her novel was noticed. She contacted booksellers and influencers personally offering them advance copies. She was very present on social media, and she generated stories about herself for media attention.

Having read the book and seen her commitment to it, we were pleased to support her with a Zoom event in 2021 and thrilled for her when she was shortlisted for the Costa first novel prize. 

Now it's just a few days before the publication of Kate's second novel and she's achieved rave reviews from some big names which, if you haven't yet read 'The Stranding' may surely make you curious about this emerging talent?

Bestselling novelist, radio presenter (and Strictly 'superfan'), the wonderful Marian Keyes, says of Kate's book "Intriguing, gripping, moving - this deserves to be HUGE". And when I quoted her on social media this weekend, she responded with a further endorsement in her inimitable way: "Oh beCRIPES I LOVED This Family by Kate Sawyer".

It's a privilege and a pleasure to be able to support writers at the beginning of their careers, and so interesting to hear their stories at these meet-the-author events (which are also great value for money!) so I hope you'll come along to find out more on Thursday 11 May. All the details are below, get your ticket now!

Thank you for reading.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Not quite good enough for me to sit outside with a book which was just as well as there's a lot of work to be done getting the garden in shape after the winter!

But I'm turning my focus outside with my recommendations this week - a fascinating and wide-ranging memoir from Noreen Masud about the eeriness and power of flat landscapes, and the stunning and unsettling novel by Kate Worsley set in an imagined rural community on the Essex-Suffolk border. Scroll down for more details.

And Suffolk Libraries are encouraging us to read more about the natural world with the launch of their Wild Reads initiative next week. 

Run in association with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Wild Reads aims "to encourage readers and wildlife-lovers to explore and celebrate the connection between the natural world and the written word".

In addition to the recommended reads from authors including Melissa Harrison, Matt Gaw and Robert Macfarlane, there are events and activities taking place in libraries throughout the county over the next five months.

But we'll be stepping into a snowy world of environmental disaster for our discussion tomorrow evening! The book group title is 'Wivenhoe' by Samuel Fisher. If you're planning to come along please let me know by replying to this email by lunchtime tomorrow so that I can get everything in place for the meeting.

This week's recommended titles are Foxash, A Flat Place and Welcome to the World.

Thank you for reading.

The Easter break is over and I hope you had safe travels in your visits to friends and family or time away. 

I haven't had any extended journeys recently but always welcome the opportunity to get on the quiet carriage of a train, snuggle into a window seat and get out a good book. Get it right and it's a time of uninterrupted bliss when I can lose myself in another world without the distractions of emails or household tasks. It feels such a gift.

But what if I'd forgotten my book? Or on a particularly long journey, what if I'd finished my book and had a few more hours to fill? Well, in the West Country Penguin Books has the answer. The company has created a paperback vending machine and installed it on a station platform!

Penguin teamed up with Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and Great Western Railways to make a range of titles available to travellers at Exeter St Davids station. These books - fiction and non-fiction - will be changed regularly and will feature new releases as well as old favourites. Key moments of the year will be recognised in the choices too.

The initiative marks 90 years since Allen Lane founded Penguin in an endeavour to make books affordable and accessible. He got the idea for the company when he was at Exeter St Davids, returning home after a meeting with Agatha Christie.

The vending machine is a fun idea and it's always interesting to look at selections of books - there's usually something surprising. But it's a long way to go to see the machine for ourselves and Penguin only has plans to install one more. It hasn't been revealed where that will be but Penguin has said it won't be in a town which has a bookshop!

Now, the month is flying by so this is the first call out for the book group meeting! We'll be gathering together on Monday 24 April to discuss 'Wivenhoe' (scroll down for more details). If you are planning on coming along, please let me know so that I can make all the necessary arrangements for chairs and catering.

Thank you for reading.

Sunshine, spring flowers and birds singing. It's been a lovely few days and good to be reminded of new life and hope over this Easter weekend.

Perhaps you've been able to enjoy spending time with friends and family over this long weekend. The gathering together for a meal or an occasion is important to our relationships and in marking the passing of time.

And it's why novelist's Kate Sawyer's new book is particularly meaningful. Thank you to everyone who has already reserved their place at our event in May (scroll down for details). It makes things so much easier to organise when there is an indication of interest and commitment! If you have your diary to hand, here are a few more events locally which might appeal to all the family.

Later this month on Wednesday 19 April, Sophie Green will be speaking at Suffolk Book League in Ipswich about her Potkin and Stubbs detective series for children aged 8-12. On Saturday 29 April, the children's writer and comedian James Campbell will be popping into Browsers Bookshop Woodbridge to talk about his latest book 'The Funny Life of Football'. And next month, on Saturday 13 May Tracey Corduroy will be in Ipswich for the Children's Book Group talking about her books as part of National Share a Story Month.

And don't forget that it is the INK Festival next weekend in Halesworth, presenting original short plays at venues throughout the town. It might give us some ideas as we consider how the books we're currently reading could be dramatised...Kate Sawyer is currently working on a film adaptation of her debut novel 'The Stranding', and 'Wivenhoe', our book group title this month, is being turned into a play. We have an invitation to attend a reading as that play takes shape and I'll have more details about that next time!

Thank you for reading, and Happy Easter!