Kenilworth Books

Saturday Signing - Come and Meet Local Author David Adams
2024-03-09 10:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author David Adams, who will be signing copies of his book, From Bogey to Birdie.
The story centres around two gifted golfers who, while still in their teens, suffer events that lead to different disabilities. Will Sophie manage to handle her nightmares of the night that led to the death of her closest friend? Can either recover to play again? In their futures, will romance be possible?
From Bogey to Birdie is the author’s fourth book following on from the first three books in the “Fighting the Machines” series, 4th book of which “War” will be published later this year. He was short-listed for best new-author in 2020 for “Escape”.
The author has spent most of his life working for multi-nationals as a Treasurer. Married with two children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, he now wonders why he thought that retirement would be quieter! And, of course, there is Max; the dog. Only the support of his wife, Marion, allows him to write.

Brian Bilston and Henry Normal at Warwick Arts Centre
2024-03-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, West Midlands, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as “two people reading some poems”.
Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites – and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands
Not ones to overpromise, Brian and Henry are prepared to commit to delivering the greatest poetry show in the history of the world: an evening of poems to be enjoyed, not endured.

Need to know

Tickets: £24.50 / £20.50
Students: £7.50

RECOMMENDED AGE:
14+ for strong language and sexual references

Purchase your tickets here!

World Book Day 2024 and Publication Day Celebrations for Robin Jarvis!
2024-03-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Kenilworth Books
Join us for a bookish afternoon on World Book Day with author of The Deptford Mice series, Robin Jarvis! Pick up a signed copy of The Dark Portal and Robin will dedicate it to you.
As usual, there will bookish chatting, signing, cake and a window display by Robin to celebrate the reissue of the series!
For younger readers pop in, see the new World Book Day titles and pick your book with your WBD voucher!
Pre-order a signed copy of The Dark Portal here for Robin to dedicate to you on the day!

The Illusions: Award Winning Author Liz Hyder in Conversation
2024-02-28 18:30 - 20:30 | St John’s Church, Kenilworth, St John's Church, Kenilworth, United Kingdom
Wednesday 28th February at St John’s Church, Kenilworth. 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Join us and award-winning author, of Bearmouth, The Gifts and The Illusions, Liz Hyder in conversation about her latest book, The Illusions. After reading and loving Liz’s novel, The Gifts in August, we have chosen The Illusions as our February Book Group read. As well as hearing about her writing and the research and ideas behind it, there will be time for questions from the audience.
Copies of all of her books will be available for sale and signing after the event.
Event Ticket £5 – book your place here!
Order a copy of the book here.

Saturday Signing – Meet Local Poet Atmos
2024-02-17 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet local author Atmos and pick up a signed copy of his book – Poetry for the Blind.
Atmos is an ambient music producer, progressive rock songwriter, ink artist, free verse poet, and fantasy fiction author known for being an animal welfare and mental health advocate, mindfulness practitioner, environmentalist, marathon runner, and Buddhist monastery visitor.

Atmos is focused on a mission of inspiring others, building meaningful relationships, and promoting positive change amidst the inevitable challenges of life.
Inspired by the works of Pink Floyd, Tool, Rumi, Alex Grey, and Salvador Dalí, Atmos’ diverse creative artistry lends itself to his creative projects, resulting in a unique fusion of music, art, literature, philosophy, spirituality, science, and world culture.
Poetry for the Blind is a collection of poems about issues in the world, philosophy, consciousness, raising awareness of gratitude, promoting positive change, and concerns for the future of humanity.
How often do we reflect on the life we are living or the kind of future we are heading towards as a species?
The way that we think of the world shapes the world that we live in and how we interact with it.
Through poetry, this book offers readers a way to explore the human condition through the eyes of the author and reflect on issues affecting the collective consciousness residing in human lives on a mass scale. Through turmoil and devastating circumstances, Poetry for the Blind progresses towards a sense of possibility and hope for a positive future—a future that we can still have.
We have the power to change the world but we have to start with ourselves first.

Kids Valentine's Day Crafting
2024-02-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Kenilworth Books
A chance to make something for that special person!

Pokemon Trading Morning
2024-02-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Books
Bring your doubles and swap them with other Pokemon fans. Meet some new friends and have fun too!

Saturday Signing - Meet Local Author Peter Rhodes
2024-02-10 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet local author Peter Rhodes and pick up a signed copy of his book – Bloody Adjectives.
Peter Rhodes, former chief feature writer of the Express & Star, looks back on half a century in journalism and recalls some great assignments, from royal weddings to wars, natural disasters, death knocks and the sillier side of life.
Rhodes mixed with princes and paupers, legendary actors and leading politicians and military heroes. He chronicled some of the greatest events of our age and now shares a host of memories and some award-winning dispatches. En route he encounters a pink poodle, a fried frog, a wounded Home Secretary and the End of Empire. And he also lifts the lid on Princess Anne’s fairy grotto loo.

January Book Club
2024-01-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Kenilworth Books
Join us on Tuesday 30th January at 6.30pm in the bookshop for our first book club meet up of 2024!
This month we are collaborating with Kenilworth Uyogo Friendship Link (KUFL) and Urban Sounds for Uyogo (USU) at Kenilworth School for the school’s upcoming Africa Week! USU is run by students and raises funds for their chosen charities KUFL and Elephants for Africa who have helpd us chose this month’s book club book!
Purchase your £5 Book Token to reserve your space for January’s Book Club!
Purchase copies of January Book Club Choice – Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo here!

Christmas Opening Times
2023-12-01 - 2024-01-02
We would like to wish all our lovely customers a
Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

November Book Club with author Natalie Marlow
2023-11-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Kenilworth Books
Join us for our final in person book club of the year on Thursday 30th November with debut author Natalie Marlow and her book Needless Alley.
Charlotte, our bookseller, will be hosting local author Natalie at the bookshop and chatting all about her wonderful new book which comes out into paperback on 9th November.
Numbers for book club are limited so do book on quick here!
Pre-order your paperback copy of November’s Book Club Choice here.
BIRMINGHAM, 1933. Private enquiry agent William Garrett facilitates divorces for the city’s male elite. With the help of his best friend – charming, out-of-work actor Ronnie Edgerton – William sets up honey traps.
But photographing unsuspecting women in flagrante plagues his conscience and William heaves up his guts with remorse after every job. William’s life changes when he meets the beautiful Clara Morton and falls in love. Little does he know she is the wife of a client – a leading fascist with a dangerous obsession.
Soon, what should have been another straightforward job turns into something far more deadly. Drenched in evocative period atmosphere and starring an unforgettable cast of characters, Needless Alley takes the reader from seedy canal-side pubs, to crumbling Warwickshire manor houses, and into the hidden spaces of Birmingham’s Queer, bohemian society.

SATURDAY SIGNING - meet local author Jane Jesmond
2023-11-25 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Jane Jesmond, who will be signing copies of her new book, A Quiet Contagion.
Six decades. Seven people. One unspeakable secret.
A disquieting and intricately woven mystery, with an historical twist, A Quiet Contagion is inspired by the 1957 Coventry polio epidemic. When Phiney discovers that her grandfather Wilf has committed suicide in the present day. She soon starts to think there might be more to his death though when she discovers a photo of him from the 1950s when he worked for a pharmaceutical company, especially when she finds out that more people in the photograph have also recently died.
It is a timely mystery with a moral dilemma at its core, which will unsettle and compel readers.

SATURDAY SIGNING - meet local writer S C Skillman
2023-11-18 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author S C Skillman, who will be signing copies of her new book, A-Z of Warwick.
Aethelflaed, daughter of Alfred the Great, built her fortress Waeringwicum on the river Avon in the year 914; it grew into the town of Warwick. Her conquest of the Viking Danelaw secured the creation of the Kingdom of England.
Ever since then, Warwick has been at the centre of England’s history. After William the Conqueror ordered that a castle be built on Aethelflaed’s chosen site, that castle and the Earldom of Warwick became one of the highest prizes in the dangerous and treacherous power game played around the English throne for centuries.
Today, Warwick retains many of its beautiful historical buildings, and is packed with the richness of the human story besides being a lively modern town. Here in this book, you will find not only several of its most treasured ancient buildings and glorious gardens but also some outstanding examples of its people, commerce, creativity, science and endeavour, community events, birds, and animals. All of this is accompanied by my own photographs in full colour. My hope is that I have, through this book, given you a flavour of the life of Warwick and its people: past, present and future.

SATURDAY SIGNING – meet local author M. R. Dale
2023-11-11 11:00 - 14:00 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author M.R. Dale, who will be signing copies of his new book, Sophie Hardy and the Internet Implant.
Sophie Hardy is a 10-year-old girl who lives in a world where adults are completely obsessed with life online.
Sophie has a drive to use an implant to not only find out about how and why the mythicals disappeared but also to repair her relationship with her mum.
Sophie and her friends eventually find that the new innovations in technology and the disappearance of the mythicals are linked more than anyone could have possibly imagined…
“I am a primary school teacher who just wanted to share a story written for the world to hear. I have worked as a primary school teacher since 2005 and thought I would have a go at writing my own novel. This one novel then turned into a series of 8!”

SATURDAY SIGNING - Meet True Crime Author Adam Wood
2023-11-04 10:30 - 13:30
Come and meet author and true crime historian Adam Wood, who will be signing copies of his new book, Bloody Kenilworth.
A new pocket-sized illustrated walking guidebook by local true crime historian Adam Wood, giving step by step directions to visit more than twenty locations around Kenilworth where misdeeds were committed between 1790 and 1928, with true crime tales from the town’s grim history on almost every corner.
After our sell-out Kenilworth Walking Tour with Adam back in September we have organised a signing where people can pop in and meet author and true crime historian Adam Wood and see his range of crime books from Mango Books.

FRIDAY SIGNING - come and meet local children's author Terri Daneshyar
2023-11-03 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet local children’s author Terri Daneshyar, who will be signing copies of her book The Boy and the Jaguar.
The Boy and the Jaguar a magical Mayan folk tale for middle-grade readers.
There is no greater prize than the skin of a black jaguar.
Twins Eloy and Ixchel live in the rainforest near the Mayan city of Yaxchilan. Ixchel has a special affinity with the rainforest animals. Eloy longs to be more than a simple farmer. After joining the cruel King Cadmael on a royal hunt, Eloy is marked for death and his village is blamed for bringing bad luck to the King.
When the villagers are rounded up for sacrifice, Eloy makes a bargain with the King to save them. But the price will be the life of his twin sister…
Terri’s stories are inspired by her trips – “Lebanon is one of my favourite places to visit. In 2018 my trip there inspired my children’s adventure story, The Treasure Thief. That is one of the joys of being an author, you never know where ideas will spring from. I was a teacher before I became an author so I enjoy visiting schools to share my books and engage with my audience. My home, which I share with two cats, my husband, and youngest son, is in leafy Warwickshire where I can enjoy countryside walks to relax or inspire me.”

Fletcher and the Seasons Signing with author Julia Rawlinson
2023-11-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Books
Join us and meet local children’s author Julia Rawlinson, creator of the ‘Fletcher’ books!
Julia will be signing copies of the ‘Fletcher’ books and showcasing her new board book for younger readers – ‘Fletcher and the Seasons’.
We will have Fletcher bookmarks and colouring sheets to take away, and there will be a ‘Fletcher and the Falling Leaves’ story walk around the flower gardens in the square.
(Fletcher and the Falling Leaves story walk – 28th October to 5th November)

Pokémon Trading
2023-10-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Books
Our Pokémon Trading morning is back by poular demand! Bring your doubles and swap them for ones you are yet to collect. Talk Pokémon and meet new friends.

Spooky Story Telling with Sue Newgas
2023-10-30 10:30 - 12:30 | Kenilworth Books
Join us in half term for a Spooky Story Telling Session with children’s author Sue Newgas who will be reading stories from her latest children’s books – ‘Velda’s New Hat!’ and ‘Velda’s Surprise Picnic!’.
There will be storytelling, colouring and halloween books to browse and buy!

Michael Mansfield - The Power in the People
2023-10-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Priory Theatre, Rosemary Hill, Kenilworth, CV8 1BN, United Kingdom
Kenilworth Books in Collaboration with Kenilworth Arts Festival.
Join us for an evening with Barrister Michael Mansfield, KC, who has spent his career fighting injustice, persecution and corruption. Be it the Birmingham Six, Bloody Sunday, Stephen Lawrence, the Marchioness, Hillsborough or Grenfell, he has come to learn one thing – that people power is unstoppable.
Entry Only: £5 Book with Ticket: £14.99 – Tickets available to buy here – SOLD OUT!!!
If cost is a barrier, complimentary tickets are available. Please call us on 01926855784 or email info@kenilworthbooks.co.uk

SATURDAY SIGNING - Meet local author Chris Westlake
2023-10-28 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Chris Westlake, who will be signing copies of his new thrillers!
Chris’s page-turning novels will make you doubt what happens next, but leave you in no doubt that you sure as hell want to find out. His thrillers toy with your mind and play with your emotions.
Chris has published five novels, including three thrillers. His latest novel, THE F-WORD REALITY SHOW, is a compelling thriller which will leave you wondering whether the cameras that follow your every move are your best friend or your worst enemy.
30 DAYS IN JUNE is a serial killer thriller, and I AM HERE TO KILL YOU is a psychological thriller, with a key focus on cults, the power of manipulation, and brainwashing.
After completing a Creative Writing course in 2010, Chris Westlake’s short story, Welsh Lessons, was awarded 1st place in the Global Short Story Award. Chris is determined to write many, many more novels – his main regret is that he didn’t start writing earlier. He is always looking to make his next novel even better than the last. He is continuously experimenting with different styles, different genres.

SATURDAY SIGNING - meet author Dexter Hutt
2023-10-21 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Dexter Hutt, who will be signing copies of his new book, Digging Deep.
Wednesday 8:36pm. A man lies brutally stabbed to death in a deserted Birmingham car park. Chief Inspector Gavin Ross surveys the scene. Detective Inspector Angie Reeves has been granted a trial period with the murder team to see if she’s fit to return to active duty. Evidence begins to mount but then Ross’s team are mysteriously pulled off the investigation. Angie cannot let it go because the murdered man is Walter Price – her old headteacher who once saved her father’s life. Drawn into a sinister world of extreme violence and betrayal, she is determined to find out the truth behind Walter’s death…
Dexter spent his early childhood in Guyana. After graduating from Birmingham University, he pursued a career in secondary school improvement, during which he was knighted for services to education. He lives in Birmingham and Diggng Deep is his first novel.
“A fantastic debut novel and the first of what, I hope, is a series of Detective Reeves’ cases. The characters and their relationships are engaging and believable, warts. The familiarity of Birmingham and surrounding areas is the perfect setting to this crime and the twists and turns of the tale.”
“Digging Deep hooks you from the first page to the last. Angie Reeves is a strong and fascinating protagonist with an emotional investment in hunting down the killer. The insights into intelligent and painstaking detective work coupled with a taut plot make for an engrossing read.”

SATURDAY SIGNING - meet local author Sara Rowell
2023-10-14 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Sara Rowell, who will be signing copies of her new book, Yvonne, Child of the Somme.
A moving, true account of one girl’s formative years in early 20th century France, Yvonne, Child of the Somme is also the story of thousands of children like her, who shared a similar fate. Most were too ashamed of their background ever to reveal their heart-rending stories. The echoes of their pain reverberated down the generations, unexplained.
Yvonne Millet was born into poverty in Paris during La Belle Époque, in the shadow of Notre-Dame cathedral. Taken to a childminder in the countryside a few days after birth, she became a ward of state at the age of three when her mother disappeared. A stable childhood in the beautiful Somme region of northern France was shattered when, aged fifteen, she was sent to work as a maid in a military town, during the First World War. Her devastating experiences would change her life and haunt her forever. As a troubled young woman facing a precarious future, chance led Yvonne to marry a former British soldier. Hopes of fulfilment with a husband and family were marred by profound insecurities and the Second World War.
‘Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.’ Søren Kierkegaard, Danish Philosopher
Sara Rowell began writing thanks to a chance conversation with a friend, after a career in marketing and communications. She is fascinated by stories within ordinary families at extraordinary points in history, and how they can echo down the generations. A member of Solihull Writers, her writing includes historical biography and historical fiction. In 2020 she won the Solihull Writers non-fiction competition for her entry ‘Ah yes, the past has mystery’, and went on to win the award again in 2022 and 2023.

Holly Matthews In Conversation at WAC
2023-10-10 19:45 - 20:50 | Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, West Midlands, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
Former TV actress (Waterloo Road, Casualty & Byker Grove) and singer (Sony Music) a widowed Mum of 2, Self Development Coach & founder of The Happy Me Project.
BOOK HERE AT WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
The Happy Me project is an online and in person, straight talking self development membership, podcast and award-winning, best selling book (Bloomsbury Publishing).
Holly’s Ted Talk has been watched by half a million people. She has appeared on Lorraine, BBC, ITV, Talk Radio, Channel 5 News and featured in The Daily Mail, Mirror, The Sun, Closer, Hello, Psychologies Magazine, Spirit & Destiny and Prima Magazine.
The Happy Me Project boasts two sell out workshop tours across the UK. More recently it has had two sell out restival events – a positive mindset festival event with guest speakers, activities and the punchy Happy Me Vibe running throughout.
The Happy Me Project has a focus on simplifying self development and takes the ‘fancy’ out of positive thinking.
Holly is a popular guest expert on podcasts, radio and TV, with her being the ‘go to’ in self development on BBC radio, where producers call her the ‘motivator in chief’.
Holly is neurodivergent and has diagnosed ADHD which informs much of her work. She was recently nominated for a Diversity Award for her work and the accessibility she aims to create for people across all brain types.
She has amassed over 50,000 followers across her social media platforms. Her award winning YouTube Channel Happy Me TV also offers regular advice on navigating life and all its challenges.
Holly used this space to vlog about the death of her husband to brain cancer, which generated huge press interest in her story and allowed her to turn her pain into something positive.
She is a qualified Life Coach, NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and award-winning author. She has coached thousands of people across the world across all walks of life, from Mums on the school run to Brit winning pop stars.
Her debut book The Happy Me Project- A no nonsense guide to self development won Health and Wellbeing Magazine’s best wellbeing book of 2022 and hit number 1 on Amazon the day it released.
Holly’s relatable and raw approach to self development has her teaching people how to feel ‘more happy and less crappy’ in a way that reaches those that never thought ‘self development’ would be for them.
BOOK HERE AT WARWICK ARTS CENTRE

Empowering Others: An Introduction to Coaching Skills for Educators
2023-10-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Kenilworth Books
Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh is an academic, executive coach, consultant and author who is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities in the use of coaching in educational settings. In this intimate event, Christian will explore the potential of coaching in our schools and educational systems. He will present the three elements of effective coaching practice and share ideas about how educators can integrate coaching into their professional practice.
Reserve your place by purchasing a £5 book token which can be redeemed against books at the event. Purchase online, drop us an email to info@kenilworthbooks.co.uk, give us a rind on 01926 855784 or pop in at the bookshop.
Copies of his book Introduction To Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide will be found in our Schools Resources and will also be available on the night.
BUY YOUR TOKEN HERE

September Book Club - Classics Month
2023-09-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Kenilworth Books
Join us at the bookshop on Wednesday 27th September, 6.30pm for our September Book Club to chat all about our favourite classics.

Read To the Lighthouse with us, pick up another classic or bring along one of your favourites. We will also be revisiting some classics such as Wuthering Heights and The Old Man and the Sea.

Reserve your spot with a £5 book token here.
*£5 Token Redeemable on the night

SATURDAY SIGNING - meet crime author Kate Gray
2023-09-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Kate Gray, who will be signing copies of her new book, The Honeymoon.
Two happy couples. One dead body. A whole load of secrets. Married life wasn’t meant to start like this.
‘I was gripped by this twisty tale of two couples’ honeymoons colliding.’ – Louise Candlish
Pre-order your signed copy here!

Thomas Taylor: Join us for a Bookish Celebration!
2023-09-13 16:30 - 18:30 | Kenilworth Books
Join us for an evening of bookish celebration!
Wednesday 13th September, 4.30pm – 6.30pm Kenilworth Books
We’re bringing Eerie-on-Sea to the Bookshop!
Fan of the Eerie-on-Sea mysteries can come and meet Thomas Taylor, and help us to celebrate the publication of the fifth and final book in the series, Mermedusa.
As usual, there will be book signing, chatting, LOTS of book themed cake, window displays and general bookish celebration.
If you’d like to pre-order copies of Mermedusa to be signed, let us know!

Saturday Signing - meet children's author Ed Goodwin
2023-09-09 10:30 - 13:30 | Kenilworth Books
Come and meet author Ed Goodwin, who will be signing copies of his books, ‘Journey to the Moon & other Stories’ and ‘Amazing Adventures in Time’. Local Author Ed’s inspiration for both of his books was his five grandchildren who encouraed him to start writing and recording children’s stories. Both books will be on sale for the Special Price of £6.99.

Bloody Kenilworth: Book Launch Event
2023-09-07 18:30 - 20:30 | St John’s Church, Kenilworth, St John's Church, Kenilworth, United Kingdom
Join us for the launch of Bloody Kenilworth, the new true crime walking guidebook from Adam Wood, on the evening of Thursday 7 September 2023.
Adam will lead the group on a section of the route covered in the book, starting at Kenilworth Books in Talisman Square and ending at St John’s Church. Along the way we’ll hear dark tales from the past, including the tragic death of a man at the Kenilworth tannery, the sinister extortion plot set by a woman aboard a train about to arrive at Kenilworth Station, and the inquest into the death of two small children, at which their mother was accused of their murder.
At the end of the walk Adam will sign copies of the book at St John’s Church, where refreshments will be available.
Cost of the tour is £5 per person; there is no charge if you would prefer to just join us at St John’s but please reserve your space here.
Tickets available at Kenilworth Books and here on our website.
Buy the book here
