April Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this April
News and events from Bristol Books this April
BACK IN STOCK:
The Matthew of Bristol
We have a limited number of copies The Matthew of Bristol back in stock. This is the story of the modern Matthew – one of the most iconic symbols of Bristol’s age of discovery, and of its trading and seafaring heritage. She’s a faithful representation of the ship used by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497.
This is her story – who had the idea to build her? How was she designed and built? What was it like to sail the North Atlantic in a tiny wooden ship and what does she do now? These and many more questions are answered in The Matthew of Bristol.
Welcome Bristol’s smallest bookshop
Bristol Books are excited to be stocked in Bristol’s newest and smallest bookshop. Very Small Bookshop has opened in one of the shipping containers in Willway Yard, Bedminster and is a great addition to Bristol's book-loving community. Owner, Leah Newman has created a welcoming and attractive space offering a carefully curated selection of books.
Very Small Bookshop is open 11am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday. Address: Container 1, Willway Yard, Willway Street.
1 in 14 adults in England have never learnt to read at school
Read Easy North Somerset provides free, confidential, one-to-one coaching from trained volunteers for adults who struggle with reading.
As a community interest book publisher we’re proud to support Read Easy North Somerset and appreciate the huge value, education and enrichment books offer in our community. Our donation this year will cover the costs of providing coaching for a reader throughout all the stages of the Turning Pages programme.
Author talk: Clive Burlton
Bristol's Lost City
Weds 8th April, 7.30pm
Blagdon Local History Society
Venue: High St, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7TA
£4 entry fee for guests
Looking for publishing advice?
Bristol Books have published a handy guide for local authors and writers looking to get their work published or considering self-publishing. Find out the key things to consider when contacting a publisher; advice on how to create your author brand and learn more about the differences between traditional publishing versus self-publishing.
March Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this March
News and events from Bristol Books this March
PRE-ORDER NOW:
20% off our best-selling book!
Our best-selling book has just been reprinted and will soon be back in stock. To celebrate the relaunch of this book we are offering a special 20% discount on this book with the code 45BRIDGES*.
Each one of Bristol’s bridges has a fascinating story which is woven intimately into the 1,000-year history of the city. Why was it built? What was involved in its design, engineering and construction? What dramatic events sometimes swirled around and perhaps on it? In this book Jeff Lucas tells the story of each of the 45 bridges which span the main waterways of Bristol between Avonmouth and St Anne’s.
*Discount valid until Apr 30, 2026.
Festival of Stories @ Sparks Bristol, Saturday 7th March
Bristol Books will be attending the Festival of Stories, at SPARKS, Bristol on 7th March, 11am-6pm. The Festival of Stories is a free event dedicated to showcasing the storytelling that thrives within our local communities.
As well as having our book stand we will be offering advice to anyone interested in finding out more about publishing or self-publishing in Bristol. Come and see us, we’d love to chat!
Celebrate World Book Day, Thursday 5th March
This month we celebrate the books, authors and stories we love on World Book Day, Thursday 5th March. World Book Day aims to inspire every child to enjoy the amazing benefits of reading for pleasure. Go visit your local bookshop and celebrate the joy of reading!
Author talk: Clive Burlton
Trenches to Trams
Fri 13th March, 7pm
Banwell Society of Archaeology and Local History
Venue: Banwell Youth and Community Centre, West Street, Banwell, BS29 6DB
Doors open 7pm, talk at 7.30pm, £3 entry for guests
Author talk: Clive Burlton
The life and times of Harry Dolman
Weds 18th March, 7pm
Congresbury History Group
Venue: Methodist Hall, High Street, Congresbury
Doors open 7pm, talk at 7.30pm, £3 entry for guests
Storysmith shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year award
Congratulations to Storysmith books on North Street, Bedminster who have been shortlisted as a finalist in the South West Independent Bookshop of the Year awards category. Winners will be announced at The British Book Awards 2026 on Monday 11th May. You can see the full list of finalists here:
PICTURE THIS: Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton, perform at Bristol Corn Exchange
Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton of British rock supergroup Cream perform at the Corn Exchange, 18th April 1967.
This gig came just a month before they departed for the US to record Disraeli Gears. By this time they were already performing their best-known song, Sunshine of Your Love, prior to its official release in November. Their first recorded Bristol show was at the Anson Rooms in October 1966, shortly after releasing their debut album Fresh Cream.
Read more about the gigs you’ll wish you’d seen in The West's Greatest Rock Shows 1963-1978.
February Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this February
News and events from Bristol Books this February
Bookshop Q&A: Heron Books, Clifton
We speak to Lizzie Moss, owner of Heron Books in Clifton, to find out more about what it’s like to run an independent bookshop and discover her inspiration for starting the business.
Festival of Stories @ Sparks Bristol, 7th March
Come and see Bristol Books at the Festival of Stories, at Sparks, Bristol on 7th March, 11am-6pm. As well as having our book stand we will also be offering advice to any authors interested in finding out more about publishing or self-publishing.
Luke Jerram’s Helios back in Bristol
Luke Jerram's sun artwork 'Helios' has been installed in Jubilee Pool, Knowle, as a fundraiser to support the community led swimming pool. Open for the public to swim beneath, or spectate, until Sunday 8 February. You can see more of Luke's stunning artwork in his book Of Earth and Sky, published by Bristol Books.
Goodbye to Stanfords, Bristol…
Bristol Books are sad to say goodbye to Stanfords bookshop on Corn Street, having closed after nearly 30 years in business. Since opening in 1997 Stanfords was a go-to destination to find maps, guides and travel expertise in Bristol, as well as a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books including titles from Bristol Books. Stanfords will surely be missed.
Books in focus: Fears, the 180 year-old Bristol watchmaker
The Fears story began in 1846, in Bristol, when a talented young watchmaker named Edwin Fear established a workshop and showroom on Redcliff Street. In 2016, as Edwin Fear's great-great-great-grandson, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill re-established the family company to once again hand build exceptional watches in the UK. Discover the full story of Fears in Elegantly Understated (published by Bristol Books) a lavishly produced hardback featuring over 140 images, illustrations, maps and archive photography. Meticulously researched and beautifully written by Jane Duffus.
Bristol Teen Book Award 2026: Local schools invited to attend award ceremony
Local schools are being invited to the Bristol Teen Book Award 2026, with six books having been shortlisted. The Award, run by volunteer school librarians as part of the School Library Association West of England Branch, recognises excellent literature for teenagers, with a focus on diversity, representation, and books that reflect a wide range of experiences. The winning title will be chosen entirely by student vote, and voting is open until Saturday 7th February 2026.
Picture This: Harry Dolman’s Flying Flea
Harry Dolman’s Flying Flea, ‘Blue Finch’ (above). Harry (second from right) after a narrow escape having flipped his Flying Flea during test flight. This image is taken from Harry Dolman: The Millionaire Inventor Who Became “Mr Bristol City”.
Bookshop Q&A: Heron Books, Clifton
We speak to Lizzie Moss, owner of Heron Books in Clifton, to find out more about what it’s like to run an independent bookshop and discover her inspiration for starting the business.
We speak to Lizzie Moss, owner of Heron Books in Clifton, to find out more about what it’s like to run an independent bookshop and discover her inspiration for starting the business.
Heron Books, Clifton
How did this bookshop begin, and what inspired you to open it?
I have always wanted to open a bookshop and somehow a combination of luck, hard work and huge amounts of help from friends and family aligned so that in October 2022 I was able to make this happen. I still can’t quite believe it. Unlocking the door to my very own shop each morning has a rather potent magic.
What’s something customers might not know about running an independent bookshop?
I don’t want to spoil any illusions but I don’t just sit around reading… There is rather more to do than that. But let’s pretend that in the quiet moments I am just sitting with a glass of wine and a Seamus Heaney collection.
How do you support local authors and publishers?
We stock as wide a range as we can and choose every title individually. That includes local authors and publishers as well as actively seeking titles from lots of independent publishers throughout the country. It’s always fun to share with customers when we know the author or publisher personally. As well as Bristol Books, a personal favourite is Read & Co, whose Art Meets Science imprint is particularly special.
What role do you see the bookshop playing in the local community?
I wanted Heron Books to be a shop for the local community and I think that we are doing pretty well at that. We know our customers well and really care about them – people pop in for a catch up as well as for bookish chat; we run lots of book clubs and events where people meet others who they would not have known otherwise; we provide a warm, kind space rammed with books which introduce readers to subjects they may know little about, with books that inspire curiosity, cause people to change their mind, engage in discussion and have fun.
What was your favourite author event in 2025?
Very hard to pick a favourite. We had events at St Georges with people like David Olusoga which are really exciting, we had poetry readings with Tom Sastry and Deborah Harvey, two of our favourite Bristol poets and we supported lots of events with the Bristol Humanists. Having said that… one of my favourite things we did was a gig in the shop with Steve Page who writes songs inspired by books. From the basement of the shop, we travelled with him across the seas and across America and it was heavenly.
What trends in publishing or reading are you excited (or concerned) about?
I won’t patronise you by pointing out all the problems with AI and will instead focus on something to look forward to: 2026 is a year in which it feels like we are all campaigning for children (and people of every age) to read for pleasure. There is so much joy awaiting everyone who picks up a book.
Are there any exciting events coming up that readers should know about?
Lots! Check our website events page and our book club page. I’m particularly looking forward to a gig in the shop on 21st February with local hero Keith Warmington.
What’s a recent book you loved that surprised you?
Boss of the Underworld by Tor Freeman. Writing good children’s books is a serious art form. Her writing is superb for all ages, highly intelligent and surprising at every turn. There are two books in the series so far and I cannot wait for the third…
What’s the most unusual book someone has asked for?
We get delightfully weird requests every day. It’s kind of our favourite thing. It’s always fun when someone insists they need a picture book featuring a capybara, a Brussels sprout and no use of the colour yellow, for example…
Address: 7a Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HW
Visit: www.heronbooks.co.uk
Heron Books, Clifton
January Highlights
News and events from Bristol Books this January
News and events from Bristol Books this January
Meet the author: Jackie Strachan
We speak to guidebook author, Jackie Strachan, about her new book Days Out Around Bristol, Bath & Somerset. Find out more about her inspiration for writing the book and some of the surprising places she discovered when she did her research for it.
Bristol’s top 10 vegan places
Where are the best vegan and vegan-friendly places in Bristol? To celebrate Veganuary we’ve shared our list of the top 10 vegan spots, chosen by the experts behind the Vegan Bristol book, to showcase the best vegan places the city has to offer.
What Bristol Book would you like to read?
Is there a person, place, theme, event or subject in Bristol’s past or present that you think deserves a book being published about it? We’re keen to know more about what new local book you’d like to see Bristol Books publishing in 2026. Please get in touch with your suggestions.
And the winner is…
Congratulations to Peter and Ann Lisle-Taylor from Tetbury who were the lucky winners of our competition to win a £50 Bristol Books voucher. Thanks to everyone who took part in the competition and a big welcome to all of our new subscribers who signed up to our mailing list.
PICTURE THIS…
Unexploded Satan bomb, Knowle
Unexploded Satan bomb being removed from outside 7 Beckington Road, Knowle. During 1940-41 Bristol suffered some of the most concentrated air raids in Britain. It experienced more the 30 bombing attacks with 1,299 civilians killed and 3,305 injured. This image is taken from Manson’s Bristol Miscellany: Volume 2.