May Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this May
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this May
Pre-order now: Poets’ Walk poetry book
Edited by Martin Rieser & Ralph Hoyte
A vibrant collection of poetry from some of the region’s best-loved poets. The project, supported financially by the Clevedon Litfest, invited local poets to respond to themes explored in the poems of Tennyson (In Memoriam) and Coleridge (Aeolian Harp), most associated with the town. The resulting poems are collected here based on themes of loss or sound in nature.
Maid of the Haystack
Friday, 16 May, 7:30pm
Stoke Bishop Village Hall, 42 Stoke Hill, Stoke Bishop
Bristol Books author, Martin J. Powell, will be giving a talk about his 18th Century conspiracy mystery, Maid of the Haystack, at Stoke Bishop Local History Group.
Bristol’s Lost City
Tuesday, 27 May, 7:30pm
St Peter's Room (by St Peter's Church), Bishopsworth
Clive Burlton will be giving a talk at Malago History Society about Bristol's Lost City, the Bristol International Exhibition held in 1914 and nicknamed “White City”.
'Transport Through the Ages' History Day
Saturday, 31 May, 9:30am-4pm
Little Stoke Community Hall, South Gloucestershire
Bristol Books author, Clive Burlton, will be giving a talk about Whitchurch Airport as part of an event being organised by Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society in association with Avon Local History and Archaeology. Other talks on the day will cover Roman roads, inland waterways, trams, buses, and trains.
12 Bristol walks to explore this unique city
With longer daylight hours and more sunshine it’s the perfect time of year to get out walking and exploring the city. In the Bristol Ideas Book of Walks you can follow in the footsteps of the Romantic poets and Brunel. Learn about Bristol’s council housing, commerce and public life. Discover the myths people tell about the city. Experience arts, music history and nature. And see how different the city might have looked if some projects had gone ahead.
Whitchurch Local History Society 50th Anniversary
Saturday 17 May, 2-5pm
United Reformed Church, Bristol Road, Whitchurch
Discover the story of Whitchurch with displays of pictures, old maps and documents, artefacts from local metal detectors and a rolling picture show. The exhibition will cover the historic Parish of Whitchurch which extended to Knowle, Brislington and Bishopsworth including Filwood, Hengrove and part of Stockwood. Also children’s activities. Free entry.
April Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this April
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this April
Luke Jerram book now available
Luke Jerram: Of Earth And Sky is now in stock and available to buy from the Bristol Books website. Featuring 30 projects by international artist Luke Jerram, including popular artworks like the 'Museum of the Moon' and 'Gaia', plus the new 'Helios'. A specialist in creating visual artwork which often attracts large audiences and publicity, Jerram gives an insight into how he works in collaboration with other artists, performers, scientists, anthropologists and members of the public, right around the world, to create these astonishing projects.
Dementia book touching lives
We’re pleased to have just reprinted A Bucketful of Patience – Living with Dementia by Tony Hall, Founder and Chair of Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA). Tony and his wife, Barbara’s, dementia journey has resonated with many readers whose lives have been touched by dementia. The book offers both practical advice alongside support and comfort for others on a similar journey. All profits from sales of the book go towards supporting BDAA.
April author talks
Martin J. Powell
Tuesday, April 1st, 7.30pm
Maid of the Haystack
An 18th Century conspiracy mystery based on true events near Bristol.
Yatton Local History Society, Yatton Methodist Church, 89 High Street, Yatton, BS49 4DW
Clive Burlton
Monday, April 7th, 2.30pm
Harry Dolman
The millionaire inventor who became “Mr Bristol City”
Memories of Bedminster History Group, South Bristol Christian Centre, Churchlands Road, Bedminster, BS3 3PW
Bristol Books mini-van delivering in Bristol
The 1967 Bristol Books mini-van has been out and about in the sunshine delivering books across the city. Thanks to Barbara Lord and Clare Hayward at Bristol and Avon Family History Society (pictured) who have supported us and stock our books.
Western Front Footsteps tour
Saturday 20th to Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Join two local First World War historians, Jeremy Banning and Clive Burlton, for a four-day trip to the battlefields of France and Flanders and follow in the footsteps of West Country soldiers. Visit iconic battlefield sites such as the trenches and tunnels of Vimy Ridge, the Cambrai battlefield and Ypres Salient, and discover life behind the lines with visits to Poperinge and Talbot House, the town’s ‘Every Man’s Club’. To book call Clive Burlton on 07918 071008 or 01934 832113 or email cburlton@aol.com.
March Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this March
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this March
Luke Jerram: Of Earth and Sky
Of Earth and Sky features 30 projects by international artist Luke Jerram from 2019 to 2025. As well as covering the staggeringly popular Museum of the Moon and Gaia, it also features the very latest artworks including Helios, charitable creative projects from the new Jerram Foundation, and many more.
Bristol-based Jerram gives an insight into how he works in collaboration with other artists, performers, scientists, anthropologists and members of the public, right around the world, to create these astonishing projects and bring people together.
Bristol Archives cuts
Bristol Books is disappointed to learn that at Bristol City Council's budget meeting last week, a 25% cut in the service provided by Bristol Archives at B Bond Warehouse was approved.
We live in a time of local authority cut backs and there are threats to the roles of professional archivists and librarians. Yet books on the history of our communities from serious academic works all the way to nostalgic collections of old photos, are simply not possible without these resources and the expertise of the people running them.
Most of our books could not have been written without access to the amazing collections held in archives and libraries. We should be able to look after our heritage, which is priceless.
World Book Day: Thursday 6 March
Celebrate authors, illustrators, books and the joy of reading this World Book Day on Thursday 6 March. Be inspired by a local book from Bristol Books and discover more about the history, art and culture of this great city.
Bristol Bookshops in running for award
Bookhaus, Gloucester Road Books and Storysmith have all been shortlisted as regional finalists in the British Book Awards 2025 Independent Bookshop of the Year.
February Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this February
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this February
TV wildlife stars praise buzzard book
For over 40 years Robin Prytherch headed out in rain or shine to chronicle the lives of buzzards in the woods and fields close to Bristol.
The book Robin Prytherch: A Life with Buzzards, compiled and edited by Lyndon Roberts is a celebration of his life and centres on buzzard-themed Christmas cards that Robin created each year. It has proved a huge hit with TV wildlife presenters.
Iolo Williams, who has been presenting Winterwatch on the BBC said: “A cracker of a book by the doyen of buzzard watchers. Robin’s words and sketches ooze from every page.”
Chris Packham picked up a copy when he was in Bristol recently at the Clifton Literary Festival.
Sir David Attenborough also treasures his copy saying: “I am truly grateful to have this reminder of such an extraordinary and unforgettable man.”
Bristol’s role in IVF
The film Joy: The Birth of IVF has proved a huge success telling the story of how the fertility breakthrough was made by pioneering scientists and doctors in Cambridge and Oldham.
But it was Bristol couple Lesley and John Brown, who were the parents of Louise Brown, the first baby born through the technique.
Those inspired by the movie starring Bill Nighy, Thomasin Mackenzie and James Norton can learn all about the Bristol connections in Louise Brown’s biography, published by Bristol Books.
We have first edition hardbacks of My Life as the First Test Tube Baby and an updated softback 40 Years of IVF available for anyone who wants to know more about the story and what happened to the baby born at the end of the film as she grew up.
Dementia Hub for Bristol
Tony Hall, whose book A Bucketful of Patience about living with dementia was published by Bristol Books, has plans to open a dementia hub in the city.
Tony’s book tells of the 20 years caring for his wife, Barbara, and he now plans to open a hub in Lawrence Weston to help other families with a range of services including legal and medical advice.
Tony said: “We want people to go along for help, whether they need social services, or they need to speak to a legal person about the power of attorney.”
Tony set up the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) in 2013 after his wife died. The Alliance runs four regular Happy Days Memory Cafes in Westbury-on-Trym, Shirehampton, Avonmouth and Sea Mills where people with dementia can meet for a drink and organised activities.
A Bucketful of Patience will resonate with anyone whose life has been touched by dementia.
January Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this January
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this January
Retreat into a good book this January
January is a great time of year to retreat into a good book. A good place to start is Manson’s Bristol Miscellany Volume 1 and Volume 2, where Michael Manson takes you on a search to find the soul of the city. It may even inspire you to embark upon your own voyage of discovery within the city.
Bristol Books also have a wide range of biographies, including Louise Brown’s, the scientific miracle and subject of the top Netflix film "Joy”, the original Wurzel’s frontman Adge Cutler, and Harry Dolman, the millionaire inventor who became ‘Mr Bristol City’.
For fans of historical fiction we also have Maid of the Haystack, an 18th Century dramatised true story of European royalty living in a haystack near Bristol.
Veganuary offer
To celebrate Veganuary this month we are offering a 10% discount on our recently published Vegan Bristol book.
Vegan Bristol is a guide to the most tantalising spots to discover amazing vegan food in Bristol, featuring the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, cafés, pubs and pop-ups.
Explore your local bookshop
January is a good time to explore your local independent bookshop and perhaps spend those book tokens you may have received at Christmas. Bookshops are the perfect sanctuary this time of year and Bristol has so many great places to choose from.
Why not pop into one of the following: Heron Books, Clifton Arcade; Bookhaus, Rope Walk; RWA shop, Queen's Road Max; Minerva in Henleaze; Born In Bristol, St George; Gloucester Road Books, Bishopston; We Make Bristol, Canford Lane; John Wesley's New Room, Broadmead; Stanfords Corn Street. You can also find a good range of factual books at M Shed, Bristol Museum and SS Great Britain. National Trust shop at Tyntesfield, near Bristol also now stock a good selection of Bristol Books.