News Archives

When Selasi and Akorfa were young girls they were more than just cousins: they were an inseparable duo, prepared to do anything to protect one another. There was no such thing as a ‘secret’ between the two girls, who lived their entire childhoods side by side.

Then Selasi begins to change. She becomes withdrawn and hostile, losing interest even in the schoolwork that used to be so important to her. Selasi constructs a wall around herself designed to keep everyone out – even Akorfa.

It will be years before Akorfa learns what happened. But is there still time to save their friendship? When a terrible crisis brings them back together as young women, they must confront the secrets that Selasi has worked so hard to bury, and challenge those who would prefer her to remain silent.

A riveting story of friendship and belonging, from a remarkable Ghanaian talent, Nightbloom is the must-read book of the summer.

Peace will be in conversation with Dr Saima Nasar, a lecturer in the History of Africa and its Diasporas at the University of Bristol and co-director of the Centre for Black Humanities.

– Peace Adzo Medie’s debut novel, His Only Wife, was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a New York Times Notable Book of 2020, and a Time Magazine Must-Read Book of 2020. It was also a Reese’s Book Club pick. Her book, Global Norms and Local Action: The Campaigns to End Violence Against Women in Africa, was published by Oxford University Press in 2020. She has won numerous awards for her scholarship and has held several fellowships, including the Oxford-Princeton Global Leaders Fellowship. She holds a PhD in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in geography from the University of Ghana. Nightbloom is her second novel.

Peace Adzo Medie’s debut novel, His Only Wife, was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a New York Times Notable Book of 2020, and a Time Magazine Must-Read Book of 2020. It was also a Reese’s Book Club pick. Her book, Global Norms and Local Action: The Campaigns to End Violence Against Women in Africa, was published by Oxford University Press in 2020. She has won numerous awards for her scholarship and has held several fellowships, including the Oxford-Princeton Global Leaders Fellowship. She holds a PhD in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in geography from the University of Ghana. She is Professor of Politics at Bristol University.

Her latest novel, Nightbloom, has been described as ‘A formidable exploration of friendship and the intricacies of the relationships that shape us. Touching, bold and thought-provoking, this story is one everyone should read’.

Chibundu Onuzo was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her life so far spans two military dictatorships, one internet revolution, two boarding schools, five grandmothers and a first book deal signed at nineteen. Chibundu’s first novel, The Spider King’s Daughter, was published by Faber in 2012 and was the winner of a Betty Trask Award, shorted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Commonwealth Book Prize and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and Etisalat Literature Prize. Her second novel, Welcome to Lagos, was published by Faber in 2017 and shortlisted for the RSL Encore Award. In 2018 Chibundu was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, as part of its “40 Under 40” initiative. She contributes regularly to the Guardian, has done a talk for Tedx and her autobiographical show 1991, featuring narrative, music, song and dance, premiered in a sell-out show at Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival in 2018.

Her latest novel, Sankofa, was described as ‘A hugely compelling novel about identity and the stories we tell about ourselves.’

Join these two fantastic novelists in conversation.

We are thrilled to be raising a glass with Pim Wangtechawat to celebrate the launch of her gorgeous debut novel The Moon Represents My Heart.

Join us for a drink, a wee reading and an introduction to the book – Heartfelt and hopeful, weaving through decades and across continents and told through incredible prose, The Moon Represents My Heart is an unforgettable debut about the bond between one extraordinary family and the strength it takes to move forward.

Join us for a fantastic evening with the winner of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2022, Tess Gunty, as she discusses her award winning novel ‘The Rabbit Hutch’. Set over one sweltering week in July, ‘The Rabbit Hutch’ Is a savagely beautiful and bitingly funny snapshot of contemporary America. Bold, Experimental and brilliantly written, it will live in your memory long after the final page.

Tess Gunty, winner of the inaugural Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize for her strange, dark state of the nation novel Rabbit Hutch, joins us to celebrate the launch of the paperback in an exclusive pre-release event!

Tess will discuss combining humour and violence, writing successful experimental fiction, capturing the state of America in a novel, and her utterly unforgettable characters, followed by a signing.

We are delighted to welcome Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize winner Tess Gunty to Deansgate to celebrate the paperback release of her debut novel, The Rabbit Hutch.

Vacca Vale, Indiana: recently voted number 1 on Newsweek’s list of dying American cities. According to the developers, however, it’s a city with a whole history of reinvention, one that ‘buzzes with the American spirit.’

Not everyone agrees though – certainly not the residents of the Rabbit Hutch, a low-cost housing complex in the once bustling industrial centre, populated by a cast of unforgettable, disenfranchised characters.Powered by playful originality, Gunty’s compulsively readable debut blends razor-sharp psychological insight with irresistible humour. Bold, experimental and brilliantly written, it will live in the memory long after the final page.

Tess Gunty joins us to discuss her novel and answer audience questions, followed by a signing. 

Join debut novelist Sophie Keetch for a discussion of her novel Morgan is My Name and her love of Arthurian tales.

Morgan Le Fay was the brilliant and vengeful nemesis of sorcerer Merlin and Morgan is My Name is an atmospheric, feminist retelling of the early life of the famed villainess, set against the colourful chivalric backdrop of Arthurian legend.

Perfect for fans of Madeleine Miller and Natalie Haynes.

This is a much-talked about book and the event is a great chance to meet a new author at the start of her career.

Join us in conversation with Sophie Keetch, author of the fantastic new book Morgan Is My Name, an atmospheric, feminist retelling of the early life of famed villainess Morgan le Fay set against the colourful chivalric backdrop of Arthurian legend. 

When King Uther Pendragon murders her father and tricks her mother into marriage, Morgan refuses to be crushed. Trapped amid the machinations of men in a world of isolated castles and gossiping courts, she discovers secret powers.

Vengeful and brilliant, it’s not long before Morgan becomes a worthy adversary to Merlin, influential sorcerer to the king. But fighting for her freedom, she risks losing everything – her reputation, her loved ones and her life.

Join us for an evening with Fiona Mathews & Tim Kendall as they discusses their new book, Black Ops & Beaver Bombing. 

Britain is teeming with wildlife, often in the most unexpected places. There are stone mines where bats hang out with pot-smoking teenagers and water voles thrive without water in Glaswegian parklands. Our coastlines are laden with seals. That’s the good news. The bad news is that a quarter of British mammals are at imminent risk of extinction. 

Tim Kendall and Fiona Mathews take us on a safari unlike any other. 

Armed with binoculars, a Thermos and, regrettably, an inexhaustible supply of puns, they travel from Scotland to the Isles of Scilly in search of their elusive subjects. You’ll find answers to questions you never thought to ask: do pine marten droppings really smell like Parma Violets? Should we give squirrels access to family planning? And what do wild boar have in common with a certain royal? 

Black Ops and Beaver Bombing is a celebration of Britain’s marvellous mammals, and a rallying cry to save them.

Join us for a truly legendary double author event, as we welcome Victoria Gosling and Sophie Keetch to Mr B’s to discuss their Arthurian-themed new books.

Victoria’s Bliss and Blunder is a breathtakingly fresh, state-of-the-nation retelling for the 21st century, perfect for fans of The Green Knight and Succession. Sophie’s My Name is Morgan is a powerful feminist retelling of the life of Morgan Le Fay, nemesis of the sorcerer Merlin, sure to delight fans of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller. We can’t wait to chat to both authors about their love for Arthurian tales, and what inspired them to write their own in such different ways.