August Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this August
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this August
A History of the Bristol & District Cricket Association
Trevor Crouch and Edwin Morris
“An essential read for anyone interested in the history of club cricket in the Bristol area - a painstaking piece of research into what has become one of the biggest cricket leagues in the country.” Steve Hill
As a sport, Cricket has a reputation for sometimes being slow to embrace change and this seems to be true of the early years of local Bristol cricket.
With evidence of matches being played in 1752, the movement towards some form of organisation progressed somewhat sedately. It took another 140 years before the Bristol & District Cricket Association was formed by a group of local clubs, many of whom are still in existence today.
This book attempts to chart the BDCA through from its formation to the inception of league cricket in 1973. Along the way we acknowledge the support of many clubs and the efforts of so many outstanding individuals, without whose efforts the Association as we know it would be so much poorer.
Price: £24
Days Out Around Bristol, Bath & Somerset
Including South Wales & South Cotswolds
Where shall we go today? Crook Peak, the Avalon Marshes, the Wye Valley? Or perhaps Bruton, Glastonbury or Clevedon? This book is packed with ideas for great days out within around an hour or so’s drive, with suggestions to suit your mood, schedule and starting point. From the Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels, to South Wales, the southern Cotswolds, the Coast and its resorts. Quirky facts and background information provide context, while divided into micro-regions, maps provide orientation.
Pre-order only: Estimated availability from 6 August. Books will be posted to customers as soon as we receive stock.
Price: £14.99
We’re proud to support Darran’s bookhaus Crowdfunding Campaign
Bristol Books are proud to be supporting Darran McLaughlin in his crowdfunding campaign to become the new owner of bookhaus when the current owners retire.
Darran says, “Since we opened four years ago bookhaus has always ensured that we stock a wide range of books on Bristol from local authors and publishers like Bristol Books. We are part of the cultural fabric of the city, and we want to continue to be so for years to come. Please support our Crowdfunder to allow us to continue to serve the local community, and thanks very much to Bristol Books CIC for their support.”
Darran has managed bookhaus since the beginning but lacks the funds to enable him to buy the bookshop. He says, “I am determined to do this, but I lack the money to buy it. I am a working class, black man who grew up in a single parent household on a council estate, so I am not able to ask my family for money, and banks aren't keen to fund independent bookshops.”
Louise Brown special edition for Mexico
Bristol Books have produced a special edition of our Louise Brown biography "My Life as the World's First IVF Baby" for those attending the 61st Congress of the Mexican Association for of Reproductive Medicine in Tulum, Mexico. The book was updated and designed by Bristol Books with the support of South American fertility sector sponsors and printed in Mexico. Louise attended the congress spending many hours signing books with doctors, embryologists and professors queueing to meet her and pick up their copy.
July Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this July
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this July
Enjoy summer paperbacks from Bristol Books
Looking for a great book to take with you on holiday this summer? Why not explore our range of paperbacks and discover something new about Bristol life.
Browse our shop where you will find remarkable stories, fascinating biographies and historical fiction, all with a Bristol theme.
Luke Jerram: Of Earth and Sky
Wednesday 9 July, 6:30-8pm
Arnolfini, Bristol
£10 full price, £5 concession
Arnolfini will host Bristol-based international artist Luke Jerram to discuss his new book ‘Luke Jerram: Of Earth and Sky’, published by Bristol Books.
Of Earth and Sky describes 30 projects created by international artist Luke Jerram from 2019 to 2025. As well as providing updates on 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, most recently relating to planetary health.
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.
Copies of the book will be available to purchase, and Luke will be available for book signing.
Poets’ Walk Book Launch
Friday 25 July, from 6:30pm
Waterstones, Clifton, Bristol
Free entry
This is the second event to launch the new Poets’ Walk poetry book, this time in Bristol at Waterstones in Clifton. Starting at 6:30pm, there will be poetry readings from the various contributors to the book.
The book features poems by 32 contemporary poets, who have responded to themes inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, associated with Clevedon’s Poets' Walk.
June Highlights
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this June
News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this June
Poets’ Walk Book Launch
Monday 2 June, from 6pm
Riff Corner, Clevedon
Free entry
An event to launch the new Poets’ Walk poetry book. Starting at 6pm, there will be poetry readings from the book followed by an open mic session and further readings.
The book features poems by 32 contemporary poets, who have responded to themes inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, associated with Clevedon’s Poets' Walk.
The poems have also been commissioned to accompany a permanent audio walk, accessed through your smartphone. The walk follows the Poets’ Walk path and provides accompanying audio, triggered by GPS. Details are included in the book.
There will also be a guided audio walk on Mon 2 June, starting at 3.30pm at Salthouse Fields steps, by the Marine lake in Clevedon. Those attending will need to bring a smartphone and earphones.
Luke Jerram: Of Earth and Sky
Wednesday 9 July, 6:30-8pm
Arnolfini, Bristol
£10 full price, £5 concession
Arnolfini will host Bristol-based international artist Luke Jerram to discuss his new book ‘Luke Jerram: Of Earth and Sky’, published by Bristol Books.
Of Earth and Sky describes 30 projects created by international artist Luke Jerram from 2019 to 2025. As well as providing updates on 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, most recently relating to planetary health.
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.
Copies of the book will be available to purchase, and Luke will be available for book signing.
Celebrating Independent Bookshop Week 2025: Saturday 14 – Saturday 21 June
Support your local independent bookshop this month while shopping for your next summer read. This annual celebration of independent bookshops aims to highlight the vital role independent bookshops play in their communities and Bristol is fortunate to have so many great ones to choose from.
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.