Recommended Books
Christmas is coming and all that and it is the time to find those stocking fillers that will make you the favourite uncle, auntie, sister, brother, mum dad or mate.
And what better way to gain festive kudos than to give them a really good book?
Well here are a few suggestion that just might put you up there with the fairy on the top of the Christmas tree ... if that made any sense at all.
Biography & Current Affairs
A Promised Land
Obama, Barack
A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making-from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracyIn the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency-a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
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House of Music : Raising the Kanneh-Masons
Kanneh-Mason, Kadiatu
Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One was Young Musician of the Year. The eldest has released her first album, showcasing the works of Clara Schumann. These siblings don’t come from the rarefied environment of elite music schools, but from a state comprehensive in Nottingham. How did they do it?
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more Biography & Current Affairs
Poetry
My Name Is Why
by Lemn Sissay
Sissay reflects on his childhood, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so explores the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home. Written with all the lyricism and power you would expect from one of the nation’s best-loved poets, this moving, frank and timely memoir is the result of a life spent asking questions, and a celebration of the redemptive power of creativity.
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GET OVER YOURSELF
Leanne Moden
Get Over Yourself is a collection of poetry about belonging and exclusion. Using humour, spoken word and storytelling, Leanne Moden takes us through the familiar touchstones of experience - teenage rebellion, grief, sex, self-esteem and self-discovery - in collection of poems that mix the personal with the political.
“Leanne has a razor-sharp eye for details and a turn of phrase that will stay with you. These poems are joyous, uplifting and filled with lines that jump out and grab you by the heart.”
Jess Green
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A Recipe for Sorcery
by VANESSA KISUULE
Vanessa Kisuule’s second release is a poetry collection with a difference. It is a recipe book for personhood that changes with the whim of the seasons and the political climate.
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more Poetry
Advert
Adapting Prose For performance: A workshop
The Signalman by Charles Dickens
Thursday 10th Dec, 7:30 p.m. (online)
Ever thought about adapting a piece of classic prose for performance?
Well here is a FREE chance to have a look at one particular way of doing it with a workshop looking at Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story, The Signalman.
Click here to join the free workshop
Black and British: A short essential history for readers of 12+
Olusoga, David
When did Africans first come to Britain? Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings? Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution?These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history: from the Roman Africans who guarded Hadrian’s Wall right up to the present day. This children’s version of the bestseller Black and British: A Forgotten History is Illustrated with maps, photos and portraits.
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Nottingham in the Great War
By Carol Lovejoy Edwards
The years 1914-1918 cost many lives in the trenches of France and Belgium. Those trenches and the battles that were fought from them are well documented. But back home in towns and cities up and down the United Kingdom death and desperation were also apparent.
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more History
Fiction
Shuggie Bain Booker Prize Winner 2020
Stuart, Douglas
Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life. She dreams of greater things: a house with its own front door and a life bought and paid for outright (like her perfect, but false, teeth).
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It’s Gone Dark Over Bill’s Mother’s
by Lisa Blower
"Lisa Blower lifts that carpet to explore lives deemed superfluous by business, media and government. Her well-rounded and convincing characters have limited choices as they face deprivation, disappointment and a relentless struggle for survival."
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more Fiction
Advert
The Gift - A Ghost Story for Christmas
by Guy Jones
On the top floor of an old Victorian house, that should be empty, there is a light on. A low light. A candle light.
And next to the light, just visible ... or was it my ... a figure ... and was it ... was she looking straight at me?
She? Yes, it was a girl.
Check it out
Notts Bookshops and Independent Publishers
Five Leaves Bookshop
One of the few independents to open in any UK city centre this century! Find us opposite Nottingham Tourism centre.
14A Long Row Nottingham
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Online
Poetry Aloud Presents:
Publications
World Jam Anthology, A Backpack on his Backpack, Every Last Biscuit
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The Bookcase
More than just a bookshop ...
Lowdham Nottinghamshire
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Big White Shed
Publisher
Big White Shed opened its doors in 2015 to support the completion of projects by helping find those missing 'bits' needed for a successful outcome.
Initially an idea brought about by the frustration of finding a publisher for her novel, founder Anne Holloway decided to do it herself! Tired of waiting for someone to publish her book and spurred on by positive comments from those who had read it, and the success of other authors who had taken control for themselves, she decided to do the same and set up a small press.
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Fly On The Wall
Publisher
Fly on the Wall is a social enterprise company and a not for profit publisher, based in Manchester. We publish high quality anthologies on pressing issues, chapbooks and poetry products, from exceptional poets around the globe, with socially conscious themes.
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Bookwise
Bookwise comprises three charity bookshops in Hockley, Southwell & Newark, selling second hand books (many nearly new) in support of Music for Everyone.
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Rogue Animal
Established in 2019, we’re an independent hosting site designed to give promotion to good quality indie authors. We’ve seen the level of frustration amongst self published authors of traditional novels and graphic novelists/comic artists. Authors that have dedicated long hours into their work, often finding little exposure or reward for their time. If you’re an author feeling that frustration, chances are Rogue Animal is the site for you. If we think your work is of a good standard, we’ll upload it to our site and promote it on social media. Each new story uploaded will be on the homepage for at least a week, so each has a chance to shine.
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Ideas on Paper
We bring a thought provoking and collectible selection of magazines, journals, and books to Nottingham; independent titles on fashion, art, culture, design, business, economics, food, wine and travel, are complemented by a range of stationery, enabling you to get your ideas on paper.
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Black Pear Press
BPP is a small press dedicated to promoting and selling books.
We publish quality books of fiction and poetry.
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Waterstones Nottingham
Waterstones Nottingham, situated in the heart of the East Midlands, is home to a wonderful selection of books and gifts sure to excite all book lovers.
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Flapjack Press
Flapjack Press publishes poetry, poetry-theatre, plays and art collections for adults and children, and coordinates Word Central in association with Manchester Libraries
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Nottingham Books
A website dedicated to books about Nottinghamshire and those written by Nottinghamshire authors
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Literary magazines
Poerty Birmingham Literary Journal
If community is what poets seek, let it be one that’s critical and resilient, that encourages them to feel grateful rather than victimised by having work read and written about seriously (even if unfavourably), and that challenges rather than defends the state of the art as it stands.
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Marble Magazine
Please submit a maximum of 4 poems. Poems must be unpublished, original work in English. Enclose a brief biography, maximum 50 words. Send submissions as a word document to editor@marblepoetry.com.
There is no particular preference for themes or style, but note the following:
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Under the Radar magazine
Under the Radar is a place for readers and writers alike to make new discoveries...
Our flagship magazine is at the heart of operations here at Nine Arches Press. It is a lively mix of the best up-and-coming and established poets and writers, as well as reviews and articles.
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Structo
“A journal that puts high stock in quality literature with some meat on its bones that you can really chew”
— The Review Review
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Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher is an international arts journal, which offers contemporary readers a terrific mix of poetry, prose, artwork and reviews. Our contributors span the globe, making Dream Catcher a truly international magazine. Dream Catcher’s eclecticism is its strength. The range of literary styles is wide and what began as a magazine for student writers has become a discerning publication keen to attract new work from wherever it might emerge, aimed at readers wherever they might be.
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The Dawntreader
The Dawntreader is a quarterly 52 page perfect bound literary publicaton with an international readership which gives the opportunity to let the imagination run free.
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