We’re big book lovers here at BOTI towers, so each week, we’ll be giving you the lowdown on our picks of the literary events happening in and around the city. Here’s what we’re loving this week:
Force of nature
When we talk about nature or the environment, it’s frequently with a sense of immense gloom at the state of it – and our hand in that – so it’s incredibly refreshing to read Brighton-based gardening writer Kate Bradbury’s joyful ode to the healing power that nature and wildlife can wield, even in one’s darkest hours. In The Bumblebee Flies Anyway Bradbury documents her move to Brighton and her progress as she restores life to her once-barren garden, turning it into a lush haven for wildlife. But, at the same time, there’s despair as all around her more and more land disappears beneath cement and decking. She’ll be chatting to fellow author and Guardian journalist Alys Fowler about the new book and all things gardening. And, as with all Waterstones’ events, there’ll be wine!
Wednesday 4th July, 7.30pm; £3
Waterstones Brighton, 71-71 North Street, Brighton BN1 1ZA
waterstones.com
The write stuff
If all that reading’s got your fingers itching to put pen to paper (ok, fingers to keyboard), then head along to It’s Never Too Late to Write, a fun practical writing workshop led by author and writing tutor Vanessa Gebbie who started writing in her 50s. There’s still hope for us to write that novel then. Expect to find out about publishing opportunities and try your hand at writing all kinds of things from flash fiction to poetry and non-fiction. Don’t worry, you don’t have to read any of it out. Unless you really want to, of course.
Saturday 7th July, 10.00am – 5.00pm; from £45
The Writers’ Place, 9 Jew Street, Brighton BN1 1UT
The Writers’ Place
The pursuit of happiness
We’re so connected – technologically at least – but we’re all just getting more and more stressed and anxious as the pace of living just keeps on getting ramped up. And with the latest news that Brighton’s apparently the most stressful place to live in the UK (although we’re still not convinced by that one), we need Matt Haig’s latest vital book, Notes on a Nervous Planet, more than ever. After experiencing anxiety and panic attacks for years, Haig knew he needed to explore the link between his feelings and the world around him. He’ll be discussing his very personal exploration of how to feel happy in our increasingly mad world next Tuesday.
Tuesday 10th July, 7.00pm; £8
Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5EG
ropetacklecentre.co.uk
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