Book-ish

Upcoming events at Book-ish

Community

An evening with ... Cathy Hollowell (Couzens)

Born and bred in Crickhowell, former journalist and author, Cathy Hollowell, is coming to Bookish on her birthday, June 25th, to sign, sell and talk about her book “Nana, were you famous?”, a lively look at life in Fleet Street, the celebrities, adventures and tales behind the stories . Cathy is better known as Cathy Couzens locally, since Couzens the Chemist operated here as a family business from 1932-2000. She grew up here and still calls it home despite living in Houston, Texas , for 45 years. The book is a fun look behind the scenes at the life of the rich and famous, the life of a newspaper reporter, royalty on tour, film festival shenanigans and how she met her husband on an airplane and married him in two weeks….yes they are still married 45 years later. Why did she write a book? Because she was nagged by relatives and friends for years and thought she better get it done “before I drop off the perch”. Why is it called “Nana, were you famous?”…. Because her grandson Will was staring at a large poster on the wall, one of fifty which once graced the escalator wall on the Jubilee Line, and asked the question. Cathy says “It may be a while before he reads about his Nana’s adventures, some of them are a little risqué, and no I wasn’t famous, just really well known with more than two million readers daily” As Mohammad Ali said in her tv commercial. “When Cathy Couzens has a hunch, watch it man she don’t pull no punch”.

Thu 25 Jun20:30Book-ish

via Book-ish

Community

An evening with ... Bobby Palmer

‘I laughed, I teared up, I couldn’t put it down. This is a love story like no other. This book gave me genuine joy and broke my heart. For fans of Heartburn, David Nicholls, Sally Rooney” About Bobby Palmer Bobby Palmer is both an author and journalist. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Isaac and the Egg, was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year in 2022. Bobby cohosts the podcast Book Chat with Pandora Sykes and his writing has appeared in GQ, Esquire, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan amongst others. Join us on 29th June to fall in love with this new novel. About Main Characters Clara and Seb are about to fall in love. They don’t know it yet. But everybody else does. When Clara and Seb meet in a quiet corner of London, it’s the start of something. She wants to be a director. He’s an actor, unsure what he wants from life. Their connection is magnetic. Everyone can see that falling in love looks something like this. But when Clara casts Seb in the film that will make her name, what should be the happiest time of their lives ends with a gut-wrenching betrayal. Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told through the eyes of friends, flatmates, exes and strangers who see all the sides of Seb and Clara, from their first date to the moment they fell apart. Everyone has their version of events. But only Clara and Seb can decide how their story ends… This is a love story, told by everyone but the main characters.

Mon 29 Jun20:30Book-ish

via Book-ish

Don't miss the next one

What's on near Crughywel, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign up for Crughywel

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Community

Book-ish Writing Group - July

A monthly meeting in Book-ish for writers of all levels to write, develop, and share their work in an informal and supportive setting. Members will write something new in every session and should feel free to bring their own writing to share with the group. We usually meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Any questions at all, please

Tue 14 Jul20:00Book-ish

via Book-ish

Community

Around £10

An evening of ... Enabling Spiritual Care

Do you work in the care industry? Then this might be for you!This book is to help care home staff deliver excellent spiritual and religious care to residents that require it. About Enabling Spiritual Care: A guide for care home staff Drawing from expertise developed through Anna Chaplaincy, this book enables members of care home staff teams to understand and facilitate the provision of spiritual care for residents. It explains the need for religious care, focusing on older people who are Christians, and provides examples of prayers, hymns, and services that can be used. There are chapters on facilitating worship with groups and individuals, offering end-of-life spiritual care and supporting those who are unable to attend a funeral. There are also sections on self-care and attending to your own spiritual needs. This book focuses on spiritual care from a Christian perspective, but all faiths and belief systems are respected. Event Format: Sally and Julia will discuss their book, followed by audience Q&A and book signing. Tickets: £10 without book or £18 with book Venue: The Loft at Bookish is located in our flagship store in Crickhowell and is upstairs. Please use the front door entrance from 6.45pm. The bookshop will be open before the event and for a limited time after the event.

Thu 30 Jul20:30Book-ish

via Book-ish

Community

An afternoon with ... Barbara Erskine

Barbara Erskine is a firm favourite with our Book-ish community so join us for cake and a cup of tea or coffee to discuss her new historical mystery, The Valley of Ravens at St Mary’s Priory in Abergavenny. After recently celebrating the 40th anniversary of her first book ‘The Lady of Hay’ (which has sold more than three million copies worldwide and has never been out of print!) Barbara is back with her eighteenth novel, The Valley of Ravens! About The Valley of Ravens In the depths of the valley, two women, centuries apart, are bound by fate… Eve, desperate for a fresh start, arrives in the Valley of Ravens to restore a long-abandoned cottage. Everyone knows the place is cursed. Why else would it be called The Witch’s House? As Eve begins her renovations it becomes clear the place has a secret waiting to be uncovered, if only she can make the connection with the past. Wales, 1260 Alys, a healer living in the depths of the valley, discovers Llewelyn – last true Prince of Wales – lying wounded on the battlefield. She tends him and her fate is forever bound to his. Her vow to keep his final secret will echo through the centuries… Praise for Barbara Erskine: ‘Barbara Erskine is one of my favourite writers’ Santa Montefiore ‘Barbara Erskine’s storytelling talent is undeniable’ The Times ‘Barbara Erskine is the Grande Dame of the time-slip novel’ Peter James ‘Beautifully written and vividly evoking the magic of lost worlds’ Alison Weir

Wed 9 Sept15:00Book-ish

via Book-ish

Community

Book & Film Club - The Art of Racing in the Rain

The bookThe Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is a heartfelt and uplifting novel told from the perspective of Enzo, a wise and observant dog who believes he will be reincarnated as a human. As he reflects on the life of his owner, aspiring race car driver Denny Swift, Enzo offers moving insights into love, loss, resilience, and the importance of staying steady through life’s sharp turns. Both tender and philosophical, the novel explores loyalty, family, and the quiet strength found in enduring hardship. The filmThe 2019 film adaptation brings Enzo’s story to the screen with warmth and emotional depth, combining family drama with the thrill of motorsport. Anchored by heartfelt performances and Kevin Costner’s voice work as Enzo, the film captures the novel’s themes of perseverance, perspective, and unconditional love. It’s a moving story about navigating life’s challenges — on and off the track — with courage and heart.

Mon 16 Nov19:00Book-ish

via Book-ish

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.