News

There's no denying it any longer. Things have changed and we've all got to get real to support each other.

Because I have elderly parents living in Suffolk, and want to be able to help them, I have made the decision not to go out unless absolutely necessary, so I won't be behind the counter at the bookshop for a while.

But I will be continuing with these weekly e-newsletters and I hope you'll spread the word encouraging anyone who might find the news, reviews and recommendations interesting. You can send them this link.

And, as we can no longer meet in person, and I know many are you are eager to share what you thought of this month's title  - 'The Great Level' by Stella Tillyard - I am launching an online virtual book group at the end of the month!

News from Browsers
The bookshop continues to open as usual.
Martin and Anna, the owners of Browsers, will be there to answer your queries, give recommendations and take your orders in the bookshop's new location on 70 Thoroughfare. And you can have your book orders mailed or delivered to you. Do phone 01394 388890 or email browsers@browsersbookshop.com to arrange this.

Naturally, the author visits with Sally Magnusson and Alison Weir will not now take place as planned, though hopefully postponed.

Things are changing apace with the developments regarding the coronavirus. I wish you all good health.

If, as we contend with the changing situation, you need a book but are unable to get to a bookshop in person, do try Browsers in Woodbridge on 01394 388890 or email browsers@browsersbookshop.com and the team there will do their utmost to either post or deliver the title to you. Don't be without a good book!

In fact, you may have seen various 'self-isolation reading lists' being devised and circulated on social media. If you have any recommendations, or would like to share with me the titles you would like to read if given two weeks to catch up on your TBR pile, then do feel free to answer this email. I'll endeavour to put together some highlights for the next e-newsletter.

Now, regarding forthcoming events in Woodbridge...I'm still waiting to learn the best way forward. At the moment the advice I've received is that we can go ahead. However, things are changing day by day. I hope you'll keep the dates in your diary and will keep an eye on these emails to receive an update on how things might proceed.

Thank you for reading, and hope to see you soon!

The final part of the trilogy of children's books written by former Woodbridge librarian Sophie Green is released this week.

Potkin and Stubbs: Ghostcatcher will be launched at Waterstones Ipswich on Thurday 5 March and Halesworth Bookshop on Saturday 7 March.

It's a fabulous conclusion. Funny, inventive, atmospheric. I loved it, and even felt a tiny bit emotional at not being able to enjoy more adventures with the duo of Lil Potkin and Nedly Stubbs. I'll just have to go back to book one and read them all over again! If you haven't tried them yet, do! 

On the theme of things coming to an end, I'm told that Browsers Bookshop really will move premises this week. From Monday 9 March you will find the usual fabulous array of books, gifts, cards and wrap a few doors further down the Thoroughfare, at No 70.

So why not call in to No 60 this week and take a last look around - and perhaps a purchase (or two)?

It's the end of the era, but we'll make lots more book-buying memories in the new premises, I'm sure!

For other news, on Tuesday I will be joining Lesley Dolphin for the Afternoon Programme on BBC Radio Suffolk as we discuss this month's title The Great Level by Stella Tillyard. You'll see that I've also chosen it as the Browsers Book Group read this month.

Do email me or Lesley with your thoughts on this novel, set in the Fens in the 17th century. It would be lovely to share some comments on air.

I've been thrilled by the level of interest in the two author visits I announced last week. Tickets are selling very quickly for journalist and novelist Sally Magnusson who will be introducing her new novel The Ninth Child at Woodbridge Community Hall on the afternoon of 7 April.

And historian Alison Weir always attracts a lot of interest. Her latest novel is exploring the life of Katheryn Howard The Tainted Queen, wife number five for Henry VIII. Alison will be joining us at Woodbridge Community Hall, in the evening of Friday 15 May.

We had a capacity audience for novelist Liz Trenow at Woodbridge Library last week as she shared details of the research and inspiration for her new book 'Under a Wartime Sky'. If you missed it, you can take a look at my report here. You might like to meet Liz when she visits the Transmitter Block at Bawdsey on 26 April, or speaks at the Felixstowe Book Festival on 28 June.

I hope you've been safe and warm through the visits by Ciara and Dennis in recent days - open fires, steaming cups of tea and toast, and a comfy chair as you curl up with a good book, perhaps?

It's been frustrating not to get out on the river or enjoy a woodland walk this weekend but sometimes, though, we have to accept these interruptions to our plans.

This is the message of my recommended non-fiction title this week 'Wintering' by Katherine May.

The author talks of how she was brought up short when family illness caused her to reassess her hopes and plans for the future. What had appeared a sunny outlook was now the barren, cold wasteland of winter.

"Everybody winters at one time or another," she says and suggests we join her in learning how to invite it in, and to appreciate its healing powers. Don't migrate to a warmer climate, pushing winter away. Embrace the changes it brings. Think of how an ice pack brings relief to an injured joint, she says.

The author has visited Scandinavia and swum in the North Sea to bring us moments of wisdom and enlightenment. So put on another jumper and read my review to find out more!

 

The global situation and news of recent events make the usual new year greeting sound rather hollow. We live in troubling times.

It is all the more reason, perhaps, that we should turn to books as an opportunity for escape and enlightenment, entertainment and education.

I hope you'll join me in the coming months as we unpack what we're reading through book group discussions and on BBC Radio Suffolk book club.

I'll be bringing various authors and publishers to the area and we'll be able to ask them for their insight, understanding and perspective on numerous topics and themes.

And I also plan to make a recommendation each week (or perhaps one a month, I'll see how we go!) for an inspirational and informative non-fiction title which has certainly set me thinking and I hope will prove helpful to you too. This week it's 'Hello World' by Hannah Fry revealing the increasing impact of algorithms on all our lives.