Bookbag

Our summer season begins next week with a book launch.

Born out of twenty years reading and thinking, this book is partly a streamlined history homing in on the core issues of Palestine/Israel, partly a poetic reflection on place and people, and partly an impassioned cry for justice. By weaving these three things together in one text, Ian Wellens has created something genuinely new.

On the one hand, it works for newcomers to the issues: here they will find the story and the basic issues laid out with great clarity. It does more, however, via its five ‘fruit sections’, which zoom in on details and events in a way which illuminate the history whilst also breaking up the narrative. These are also the parts of the book where imagination is brought to bear; they add an emotional response and a moral perspective which the Palestinian story surely deserves.

There will be a talk, Q&A, and books available to buy after the discussion.

Tickets available at Bookbag (fee free) or via eventbrite

Is the World Cup living literature? Of course it is. Mbappe’s’s bursts craft the epic. Messi’s vision delivers the tension, and baller Bellingham’s all-action is pure poetry. Plot twists? Talk to Cape Verde.

Stories help connect us with the world around us. We’ve put together a book list of contemporary or classic fiction on .org from each of the 46 World Cup tournament nations*. It took ages and we kept going back and refining but also it’s not that deep. So many good books out there

*We couldn’t find a Paraguayan or Curaçaoan author translated into English if you know any tell us please 🙏 and feel free to comment which books we should have included

Independent Bookshop Week ends today. Thanks to Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett for visiting Bookbag during the week to sign copies of new novel Splendour. Elizabeth-Jane, who grew up in Exeter, was a guest author for our first festival five years ago!

We’ve a full day of events for Echoes Lit Fest today. Free to attend panel discussions and book talks at Exeter Phoenix this afternoon, and a spoken word event in the Arcade with Sacred Grounds tonight. It’s going to be brilliant! Come!

Join us for the Echoes Lit Fest this weekend! 

After an afternoon of talks, our Words and Sounds night is held at Sacred Grounds and Bookbag. This evening, the heart of the festival, is a celebration of spoken word and poetry: an expressive outburst of enchantment and joy, rage and hope. The performance is followed by music and socialising.

This year, the night will feature readings, poetry, and performances from a range of critically acclaimed poets and artists, including Zakariye, Kim Squirrell, Louisa Adjoa Parker, Masande Ntshanga, Poet of da Soil, Phoenix Yemi, and Samatar Elmi. Their books and pamphlets will be on sale on the night for signing.

We’ve also invited local writers to share their responses to the theme of “Echoes.”

Join us on Saturday night for the Echoes LitFest Words and Sounds night at Sacred Grounds and Bookbag. This evening, traditionally the beating heart of the festival, is a celebration of spoken word and poetry: an expressive outburst of enchantment and joy, rage and hope. It always ends with music and socialising.

This year, the night will feature readings, poetry, and performances from a range of critically acclaimed poets and artists, including Zakariye, Kim Squirrell, Louisa Adjoa Parker, Masande Ntshanga, Poet of da Soil, Phoenix Yemi, and Samatar Elmi. Their books and pamphlets will be on sale on the night for signing.

We’ve also invited local writers to share their responses to the theme of “Echoes.”

Saturday 20 June / free or donation / 7pm / Bookbag and Sacred Grounds

Have you got your tickets yet? Event with the Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted author!

One week to go until - a new festival featuring Zakariye, a Jhalak Prize longlisted poet who’ll be performing at Echoes Words and Sounds night on Saturday 20th June, Bryan Chikwava, in conversation on Saturday afternoon discussing new book Shamiso, and Louisa Adjoa Parker and Fiona Williams as part of a round table‘writing nature as literary activism’ also on Saturday afternoon.

Friday book club, on Saturday author events and a spoken word night, Sunday workshops for kids & adults. Some of the best conversations take place in the space between sessions so don’t be shy - come!

Guest blog up on the site today, as talks us through the shortlisted books on the

‘As we near the announcement of the winner, I would love the highlight the sheer variety of stories and approaches that have come out of this year’s shortlist. From San Francisco, to Ukraine, Tasmania, China and Delhi, reading the shortlist has been a globe-trotting adventure of epic proportions.

Whether you’re into futuristic dystopia, state-of-the-nation novels, quiet and introspective reads, or a daring experimental ride, I guarantee there’s a title in here for you.‘

Read book reviews in full via the 🔗 and thank you Paula. The winner of the prize will be announced tonight!

Bookbag and Echoes are hyped to be welcoming Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted author and winner of this year’s British Book Awards Discovery prize Marcia Hutchinson to Exeter.

The Mercy Step is Marcia Hutchinson’s solo debut novel informed by her own experience as a child. The book tells the story of Mercy, a precocious British-Jamaican girl born into a world that feels far too big for her small body — into a home run by an angry, violent father and a devout mother. But Mercy is resilient. She finds joy and escapism in books, in learning, and in the loyal company of her doll Dolly. She is determined to overcome her upbringing — no matter what it takes. The Mercy Step is at Bookbag, and we’ll have copies on the night.

Hutchinson was the first pupil from her comprehensive school to go to Oxford, where she gained an MA in Law. She worked as a lawyer before founding the educational publishing company Primary Colours. Marcia was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to cultural diversity, and is a Zumba and Yoga teacher. When Marcia won her Discovery Award she danced up to the stage and quoted Coolio in her acceptance speech. We cannot wait to meet her! 👑

Happy Pride Exeter! Here’s to the books and the writers and the stories they share 🌈

Independent bookshop / Exeter / q***r books

Great event last night celebrating and The Othered Woman. Thanks to Asha for hosting, and plenty of copies available at Bookbag!

Book launch / Exeter