Our book-y evenings are very informal affairs and often there is no need to have an affinity with the book or the topic (that’s our job). They tend to be with authors whose books we have already read and loved and whose books we think you’re going to love too. We see it as our mission to connect our customers with fascinating and talented writers.
We like to interview our guest authors and give you lots of time to ask questions too – making for welcoming, fun evenings that are crammed with insights, opinion and conversation. You know how sometimes you might say “I’d never have picked that book myself, but I really loved it” after a recommendation or book club, well that’s how we think our author events work too.
Author Events at DRAKE
| Keshed – In Conversation with Stu Hennigan @DRAKE, 7:00pm, 23rd September | Stu Hennigan is a writer, poet and musician from the North of England. His non-fiction book Ghost Signs (Bluemoose) was shortlisted for two national literary prizes including Best Political Book By A Non-Parliamentarian at the Parliamentary Book Awards in 2023. His short fiction, essays, poetry, criticism and other work has been published widely in print and online. He also plays guitar in the rock band Kamień. Keshed is his first novel. This event was originally due to take place in June but was re-arranged due to ill health – if you have booked for the original event your booking is still valid for this event- no need to re-book! |
| An evening with North East crime writers Trevor Wood and Michael Wood @DRAKE, 7:00pm, 9th October | Trevor is an award-winning writer of gritty crime novels set in the North East. His highly-acclaimed debut novel, The Man on the Street, set in Newcastle’s homeless community, picked up the Crime Writers’ Association’s John Creasey New Blood Dagger and the Crimefest Specsavers Debut Novel of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Michael is a CWA shortlisted author of more than 20 crime fiction novels including the bestselling DCI Matilda Darke series and the Dr Olivia Winter series as well as several standalone psychological thrillers. |
We offer a ticketless booking system. Please select ‘Collect from shop’ at the checkout. You don’t need to collect anything from the shop doing this just avoids the addition of carriage fees. You will receive an email confirming your booking and all you need to do is give your name at the welcome desk on the night.
Quiet Club. Every Tuesday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the shop.
Do you need some time just to read? Do you find life gets in the way elsewhere? Bring along a book and take the opportunity to just sit and read in the comfort of the shop. Surrounded by books and other people having a cheeky, guilt free read.
Wednesday Evening Book Club. Last Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm in the shop.
Come and chat about the latest book choice over a cup of tea. Nice, informal chat about the book in question and a few others people might have read during the month too.
First Rule of Book Club is … the book must be bought from DRAKE – The Bookshop.
Other rules include commenting on type size, the size of the print and if it’s the third non fiction book you’ve read this year.
Kids’ Book Clubs. Last Saturday of the month from 2:00pm in the shop.
YOUNG BOOKWORMS 2:00pm. Join us to chat about the book choice for the month. Discussion about why we liked it; favourite characters and favourite bits; and maybe some questions we would like to ask the author. Usually an activity to go along with the book too. Perfect for children from around 6 to 9.
HIGH RISE READERS 2:45pm. The same kind of vibe as Bookworms. Perfect for children from around 10 to 12.
The Otherworldly Book Club: Our Adult Only (18+). Last Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm in the shop. Monthly Speculative Fiction Book Group.
‘Hey YA’ Young Adult (14+) Book Group. Second Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm in the shop.
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