Gavin Rees-Jones will be signing and reading from his recently-published novel "The Un-familiar Cat"

A talk and reading by Dr Gladys Mary Coles to mark the birth of Wilfred Owen (18th March 1893), and the publication of her own World War I novel "Clay", the story of a young soldier-poet (longlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2011).

Gladys Mary coles will read from CLAY and talk about the influence of Wilfred Owen.

Readings of the poetry of Wilfred Owen by members of the Wilfred Owen Association, Cynthia Greenwood & Jan Wyatt

We will be offering substantial discounts on most items, as well as complimentary drinks, cakes and biscuits for all visitors.  Live music will once again be provided by Steve Yarrington.

You are welcome to join us for complimentary drinks and mince pies in the week running up to Christmas.

Penelope Harris will take as her subject Joseph Hansom, 1803-1882,  who, as well as being responsible for the eponymous transport cab, also designed Birmingham’s majestic Town Hall.  Penelope has recently published a book on this intriguing character (“The Architectural Achievement of Joseph Hansom”, Edwin Mellen Press, 2010), signed copies of which will be available for purchase or order at the event.  There has already been a lot of interest in this event and we advise that tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis from the shop.  Tickets are £4 each (children free) and includes entry into a raffle for an original print of Birmingham Town Hall, currently on display in-store. 

The latest in our regular series of author-signings, when Geoffrey Seed will join us to sign and chat about his debut novel "A Place For Strangers". Published by Revel Barker at £9.99, it's partly set in a Jacobean mansion near Welshpool and is a hard-edged but tender story of love and loss, betrayal and revenge, all rooted in history's greatest crime - the Holocaust.

"...intelligent and satisfyingly complex with a whiff of Le Carré." Patrick Malahide, actor.

"Nothing is what it seems in this beautifully written spy story - morally complex, multi-layered and intelligent. A book to be savoured." Alan P. Wilson, lecturer, London.

"A beautifully written thriller and murder mystery. I didn't want to put it down." Elaine Walters, marketing director, Cheshire.

Dee Aitchison joined us to sign and chat about her debut novel "Honesty MP". Published by GET Publishing of Bridgnorth, it tells the story of a Holstein dairy cow named Honesty, which is put forward by a Young Farmers Club as a parliamentary candidate, and to everyone’s surprise is duly elected to the House of Commons...

"At the core of the book lies a disenchantment with the current political system, and a breakdown in trust between the rural electorate and those who claim to represent their interests in Westminster. It outlines the corruption that tarnishes politics, the media manipulation that misdirects public belief, and a civil service in denial of all fault. These are powerful subjects yet are handled with an extremely light touch that will suit the general reader..."
Alan Beat

Cecilia Chance joined us to sign copies of her family biography "The Widdrington Women".