Your local independent book seller based in Wadhurst, East Sussex
LITERARY LOUNGE
Barnett's Literary Lounge is an opportunity to meet leading authors and to hear them discuss their work in an intimate but relaxed setting over a glass of wine and refreshments.
Attendance is by ticket only - available in advance from the bookshop.
Literary Lounge - THANK YOU!
Firstly, a huge thank you to Ruth Thomas for finding time to visit us in Wadhurst to read from, and talk about, her latest novel - a few pictures set out below.
Also, many thanks to everybody who supported us by buying a ticket and attending in these uncertain times (and with a football game of some description apparently conflicting!)
Ruth gave a very engaging reading of extracts from The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line and provided wonderful (and surprising) insights into the realities of the novel-writing process, including character development, non-linear plot planning and the comparison with poetry and short story forms.
It was wonderful to be able to run an event again - the first of many to come, we hope. Watch this space!
Ruth Thomas
The Snow and the Works on the Northern Line
22 June 2021
In our first Literary Lounge since lockdowns, Ruth Thomas gave a very engaging reading of extracts from her latest novel and provided wonderful (and surprising) insights into the realities of the novel-writing process. Having enjoyed the sometimes dark humour of The Snow..., we all look forward to wherever Ruth takes her characters next.
Peter Fiennes
Footnotes
A Journey Round Britain in the Company of Great Writers
3 December 2019
Peter rounded off a successful year of Barnett's Literary Lounges with an absorbing synopsis of his latest book, Footnotes, in which he follows twelve writers around Britain, delving into literature and landscape. Peter's enthusiasm for his subjects, from the twelfth century Gerald of Wales, to Beryl Bainbridge, is reflected in his engaging prose style - this is a wonderful book that informs and entertains in equal part.
Alan Judd's Accidental Agent
15 October 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Alan Judd to Barnett's again for an lively evening of discussion based around his gripping and topical new spy thriller Accidental Agent.
Brexit looms and Charles Thoroughgood, Chief of MI6, is forbidden for political reasons from spying on the EU. But what happens when an EU official reports the EU's negotiating bottom lines?
Added into the mix is Charles' possible family connection with a terrorist...
Anne Youngson on her successful first novel
Meet Me at the Museum
10 September 2019
Yet another sold-out Literary Lounge! We were delighted to welcome Anne Youngson for a discussion of Meet Me at the Museum, a moving and thoughtful meditation on life, encouraging us to look to the future rather than the past.
Anne's account of how she came to writing as a second career via an MA and PhD will no doubt have fired the literary ambitions of some audience members!
We're looking forward to Anne's next novel set on a narrow boat and hoping that the option to film Meet Me at the Museum is exercised soon!
PETER FIENNES explores our relationship with woods in Oak, Ash and Thorn
18th June 2019
In conjunction with Wadhurst Culture's 'When the Oak Spoke', Peter Fiennes gave an inspiring talk to a capacity crowd based on his book, 'Oak, Ash and Thorn', a Guardian Best Nature Book of the Year.
Peter explored our long relationship with trees and woods and the sad and violent story of how so many have been lost.
MIRANDA SEYMOUR talks about In Byron's Wake
5th March 2019
Miranda treated us to a lively and informative introduction to her latest book, In Byron's Wake: The Turbulent Lives of Lady Byron and Ada Lovelace. This was a fascinating glimpse into the unconventional lives of Lady Byron, great social reformer and Ada, pioneer of computer science, accompanied by entertaining insights on Byron himself. Miranda left us with the tantalising possibility of a new book to be based on Ada's own writings. Watch this space! (See photos here)
ROBERT WINDER talks about The Last Wolf
17th January 2019
A hugely entertaining and informative discussion with journalist and author, Robert Winder, whose latest book, The Last Wolf, asks the questions "What sort of place is England? And who are the English?". Robert's answers lie not in royal pageantry or politics but in the landscape and history.
DAVINA LANGDALE introduces The Brittle Star
25 September 2018
Davina entertained us with the story of how an English writer came to write an utterly convincing novel set in the American West, drawing on her deep interest and extensive research. The Brittle Star, Davina's first novel, has been described as "part High Noon, part The Good the Bad and the Ugly - crying out to be made into one of the great Western movies"
AMANDA CRAIG talks about The Lie of the Land
20 March 2018
In conversation with Sue Gaisford, Amanda Craig described the themes and inspiration for her witty yet thought-provoking tale of a "modern couple" facing the pressures of modern life. Not for nothing was The Lie of the Land chosen as Book of the Year by ALL the quality broadsheets!
If you liked The Lie of the Land, you should also read her Hearts and Minds
ALAN JUDD presents Deep Blue
6 February 2018
Drawing on his experience as a soldier and a diplomat, Alan gave an interesting talk to present his latest novel, Deep Blue, and the character developments that the novel explores. Deep Blue is a spy thriller set in the UK, which moves between the present day and Cold War intrigue, from an author likened to Le Carre, Graham Greene and Charles Cumming.
GUINEVERE GLASFURD's debut The Words in my Hand
19 September 2017
Guinevere Glasfurd introduced her debut novel - nominated for the Costa First Novel Award 2016. The Words in My Hand, set in 17th Holland, tells the little-know story of an affair between the celebrated philosopher Rene Descartes and a lowly Dutch maid.
FRANCIS SPUFFORD discusses Golden Hill
13 June 2017
Renowned non-fiction author. Francis Spufford gave a highly engaging presentation of the enjoyment he encountered in writing his first fiction work, Golden Hill, set in the Manhattan of the mid-18th century, which won the Costa First Novel award in 2016.