Upcoming events.
Independent Bookshop Week - Mediterranean Day
We’re delighted to be partnering with Veranda Books on Seymore Place in London for Independent Bookshop Week! On Saturday, June 14th, they are holding a Mediterranean day, starting at 1pm. It promises to be a feast of Literary chat, Flamenco and music! Admission is free, and we look forward to seeing you there!
The Little I Knew – Chiara Valerio in conversation with Olivia Laing
Chiara Valerio in conversation about her new book THE LITTLR I KNEW (Foundry Editions) with Olivia Laing
A small Italian town, two women, and too much left unsaid – Virginia Woolf meets Elena Ferrante in this finely crafted, absorbing novel.
Translated from Italian by Ailsa Wood
An Italian bestseller & instant classic, shortlisted for the 2024 Premio Strega.
Olivia Laing, an English writer and literary critic, writing for The Guardian, New Statesman, and Frieze, has recently published The Garden Against Time (Picador) – Il giardino contro il tempo (Il Saggiatore), a book about nature, literature, and personal rebirth. From the care of an abandoned garden in Suffolk to reflections on Milton, John Clare, and William Morris, the author explores the transformative power of gardening. Olivia has also written four more works of non-fiction, To the River, The Trip to Echo Spring, The Lonely City, Everybody, as well as an essay collection, Funny Weather, and a novel, Crudo. In 2018, they were awarded the Windham-Campbell Literature Prize for non-fiction and in 2019, the 100th James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Crudo. In 2019 they became an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Heron Books and Foundry Editions host ‘Indie Twinning’ event with bestselling Italian author Chiara Valerio
Heron Books is delighted to welcome Chiara Valerio to celebrate the publication of The Little I Knew.
Do join us to meet Chiara, hear a discussion about the book and get your copies signed on 18 June, part of our Independent Bookshop Week partnership with publisher Foundry Editions.
This event has been made possible with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute in London.
Chiara Valerio on The Little I Knew at Toppings Edinburgh, in conjunction with the Italian Cultural Institute
Chiara Valerio was born in Scauri in 1978 and lives in Rome. She is a novelist, editor, critic, cultural commentator and mathematician and has published essays, novels and short stories. Chiara joins us to celebrate the English language publication of The Little I Knew.
THE PALACE ON THE HIGHER HILL - BookBlast Translation Book Club @Hatchards Picadilly
Hatchards welcomes editor, writer and founder of BookBlast Ltd, Georgia de Chamberet, as host of The Translation Book Club.
This evening's discussion focuses: The Palace on the Higher Hill by Karim Kattan, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman.
The book won the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie.
It's going to be an evening of brilliant discussion - we hope you can join us!
Navigating Memory and Identity with Karim Kattan
Meet Palestinian author Karim Kattan as he delves into his haunting novel of exile, memory, homecoming, and loss, The Palace on the Higher Hill. Originally published in French in 2021, the novel follows Faysal’s return to his family’s abandoned home in Palestine, where he confronts the ghosts of both personal and political pasts. Winner of the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, his novel offers an intimate, politically charged portrait of displacement, echoing One Hundred Years of Solitude and Brideshead Revisited.
He will be in conversation with Will Forrester, Head of Literature Programmes at English PEN.
Karim Kattan in conversation with Anbara Salam- Daunt Books, Summertown
Karim Kattan will be discussing his novel The Palace on the Higher Hill, which won the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie and has now been translated into English by Jeffrey Zuckerman. It follows a young man who returns to the village of his birth in Palestine after receiving a letter about the death of an aunt he cannot remember. Join us to hear him speak to Anbara Salam on Wednesday 7th May. Tickets £5 including a glass of wine or soft drink. This event was made possible with the support of the Institut Français in London.
Karim Kattan: The Palace on the Higher Hill - East Bristol Books
EBB welcomes Palestinian novelist Karim Kattan to discuss his novel, The Palace on the Higher Hill (Foundry Editions), translated from the French by Jeffrey Zuckerman, in conversation with Alice Guthrie.
This event was made possible with the support of the Institut Français in London.
On The Palace on the Higher Hill
Karim Kattan: The Palace on the Higher Hill -
Hear from Palestinian author KARIM KATTAN as he discusses his award-winning novel of imagination & return THE PALACE ON THE HIGHER HILL.
This event was made possible with the support of the Institut Français in London.
Karim Kattan for The Palace on the Higher Hill - Toppings Edinburgh
Winner of the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie
Palestinian author Karim Kattan was born in 1989 in Jerusalem and grew up in Bethlehem.
His 2017 short-story collection Préliminaires pour un verger futur was a finalist for the Prix Boccace. The Palace on the Higher Hill, his first novel, won the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, and his most recent novel, L’Eden à l’aube, was shortlisted for the 2024 Prix Renaudot.
Karim joins us for The Palace on the Higher Hill, translated for the first time into English.
This event was made possible with the support of the Institut Français in London.
Karim Kattan at the Institut Français, Edinburgh
Meet the author Karim Kattan
Palestinian author Karim Kattanwas born in 1989 in Jerusalem and grew up in Bethlehem.
The Palace on the Higher Hill, his first novel, won the 2021 Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie, and his most recent novel, L’Eden à l’aube, was shortlisted for the 2024 Prix Renaudot.
Karim joins us for a presentation of The Palace on the Higher Hill, translated for the first time into English.
In beautiful, angry prose, he introduces us to an intimate Palestine of the imagination where dreams and nightmares are in constant conflict. With hints of One Hundred Years of Solitude and Brideshead Revisited, he gives a nuanced deeply moving vision of the tragedy of war and a picture of his homeland that feels entirely new to English-speaking readers.
The Palace on the Higher Hill - A Deep North Collaboration
Shining a spotlight on the UK's best independent bookshops, small presses and indie publishers. Opt Indie Books aims to bring both exciting new voices and established names to audiences across the North of England.
Visit @optindiebooks for more.
This event was made possible with the support of the Institut Français in London.
Belonging to the Periphery: The Stories of Two Islands
In celebrating the European Day of Languages, we will co-host a literary evening
featuring acclaimed authors Constantia Soteriou (Cyprus) and Elena Cardona (Malta). The event will explore themes of language, identity, and cultural expression, focusing on the experiences of the two women writers, from Cyprus and Malta. The discussion will highlight how their shared
Mediterranean heritage has influenced their work, while celebrating the unique paths their
creative journeys have taken. Join us for this engaging dialogue, followed by a reception.
Additional Celebrations for the European Day of Languages
As part of our support to the European Day of Languages, we are additionally participating in events at the Europe House, in London, on September 25 th 2024 and the Goethe-Institutute and European Career Roadshow on September 27 th 2024. These events aim at promoting multilingualism and the cultural richness of Europe, with a particular focus on the Cyprus linguistic heritage.
Book your free tickets at Eventbrite
BRANDY SOUR: In Conversation with the Author Constantia Soteriou
Constantia Soteriou, Giorgia Tolfo and Brandy Sour at the Owl Bookshop
Come enjoy a Brandy Sour and hear Constantia Soteriou discuss her award winning novella of the same name with Giorgia Tolfo
Opt Indie Book Club: BRANDY SOUR
Join us in person for a special book club launch event with Constantia Soteriou and her UK publisher, Foundry Editions, for an in-depth exploration of the book and an exclusive insight into its creation.
Where: THE FRENCH QUARTER, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SA
When: MONDAY, 23 SEPT, 7-9pm
Each event ticket includes a copy of the book and a drink upon arrival, where we’ll be serving themed Brandy Sour cocktails to celebrate (non-alcoholic options and additional drinks will also be available). All books will be posted in advance to give you ample time to read before we meet.
Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your place before we sell out.
Happy reading!
YOUR LITTLE MATTER: Antonella Lettieri in conversation with Giorgia Tolfo
YOUR LITTLE MATTER: Antonella Lettieri in conversation with Giorgia Tolfo.
Italian translators and writers Antonella Lettieri and Giorgia Tolfo discuss Antonella's translation of Your Little Matter.