Helen Shair - Authors In Oundle

A Training School for Elephants Out of a sidelined, colonial-era expedition in Africa c…

#FinishedReading: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Training School for Elephants by Sophy Roberts

NBCC member Carl Hoffman reviewed Sophy Roberts’ "A Training School for Elephants: Retracing a Curious Episode in the European Grab for Africa" for The Washington Post:

All welcome to join Authors in Oundle to celebrate World Book Day on the 23rd April, with author Sophy Roberts.
www.authorsinoundle.co.uk/events/

Hi Rob, would love to invite you to come and speak about The North Road, when the paperback is out in May/June time, to suit you. Have travelled up to York and back many a time. Please contact me at info@authorsinoundle.co.uk Thanks Helen

Oundle was very lucky to have two authors with us last night. Keir Giles interviewed Lucy Ash about her new book, The Baton and The Cross. This book examines the ROC in the past and present, and how it is currently embroiled in Putin's political and military policies.
Thank you to all involved.

On Thursday (19 Feb) I'll be interviewing @lucyaash.bsky.social about her book 'The Baton And The Cross' on the Russian Orthodox Church - amzn.to/3Obg1oL

We brainstormed some images for the welcome slideshow to remind the audience this is not a "church" in the sense they might be familiar with.

Yellow wildflower lesser celandine covered in raindrops in a brief burst of sunshine.

Lesser celandine in a burst of sunshine between the rains. #WildflowerHour

Join us with authors Lucy Ash & Keir Giles.
Putin continues to use religious traditionalism to justify his actions in Ukraine, the ROC, under Patriarch Kirill, provides firm backing for the invasion.
What are the prospects for justice and human rights?
www.authorsinoundle.co.uk/events/upcom...

The countdown begins...

There’s just 24 hours to go until we reveal the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction longlist.

Set your reminders and join us at 2pm GMT tomorrow to discover the 16 brilliant books the judges have chosen.

#WomensPrize #WomensPrizeforNonFiction

2026 Black History Month Picture Book Biographies In honor of Black History Month, 'PW' showcases a selection of picture book offerings that highlight the achievements and impact of influential Black figures throughout history.

In honor of Black History Month, we showcase a selection of picture book offerings that highlight the achievements and impact of influential Black figures throughout history.

A promotional graphic from the University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives. At the top, text reads: “Cambridge University Library’s Manuscript and Rare Books services will be closed on Monday 16 February.” Below, a person in a light blue outfit carefully handles an old, thick book resting on orange supports in a library reading room, with desks and chairs blurred in the background.

Please note that our Manuscript and Rare Books services will not be available on Monday 16 February.

This is to allow staff to complete the move to the new combined Special Collections Reading Room, which opens on Tuesday 17 February.

Learn more: loom.ly/OQYhclI

@theulspeccoll.bsky.social

Five phrases about the transitory nature of all things...

1. Nothing is eternal (Farsi)
2. No one’s candle is lit till dawn (Serbian)
3. No evil shall last a hundred years (Spanish)
4. All snowstorms eventually subside (Icelandic)
5. Everything has an end, except the sausage, which has two (German)

Tickets are now available for Lucy Ash: The Baton and The Cross at The Great Hall, Peterborough on Thursday 19th February 2026 at 7:30PM www.ticketsource.co.uk/authors-in-o...

Tullibardine distillery present a special release for Visitor Centre customers. It’a a a limited number of bottles of 15 yo The Murray 2008. #whisky matured in red wine casks from AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 46% abv.
#Tullibardine
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ah9...

Please will you share the event details either from the AIO Facebook, Bluesky or Instagram pages or via this link: www.authorsinoundle.co.uk/aio-event/lu...

Hi Lucy, Please can you follow me and share my latest post. My email is info@authorsinoundle.co.uk
It would be good to be in touch with your event coming up in Oundle soon. Thanks Helen

Following on from our Penguin event 18/12/25 with Peter and Lisa Fretwell, we made a donation to the WWF Climate Fund, thanks to the attendees who wore penguin colours or costumes. If you would like to support this worthy cause, then please follow this link:-
support.wwf.org.uk/climate-reco...

The cover of Bridge of Storms. A large motorised city is making its way across an even larger (but un-motorised) bridge which spans a deep crevasse. A girl on a gantry watches from the foreground.

My advance copies of BRIDGE OF STORMS just arrived, & it’s looking good. Seasonally snowy cover art by @ianmcque.bsky.social In US & British bookshops on 12th Feb (but pre-orderable today hint hint.)

There is no better companion for a dark night than a chilling, page-turning read. @stmartinspress.bsky.social
www.bookpage.com/?p=222646

Looking forward to our next event. All are welcome to this highly anticipated interview featuring Keir Giles in conversation with author Lucy Ash.
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2025*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH ACADEMY BOOK PRIZE 2025*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE PUSHKIN HOUSE BOOK PRIZE 2025*

Looking for a last minute holiday gift? Give the reader in your life a BookPage subscription! That's 12 monthly issues packed full of 80 reading recommendations, delivered directly to their doorstep each month.

Learn more: subscribe.bookpage.com/gift

A fantastic crowd enjoyed our penguin-themed event with Peter & Lisa Fretwell last Thursday. We all learnt a lot about these beloved birds and are now fully versed in how to do the various types of penguin walks!
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from Authors In Oundle.

Authors in Oundle have had a very successful year and I'd like to send sincere thanks to everyone involved in the business.
Have a wonderful festive break and I hope to see you at events in 2026!
Helen Shair, Founder and Director.
www.authorsinoundle.co.uk

Snow scene at water’s edge with herons, ducks, water birds, swans in flat, wintered trees in background, illustration.

Morning.
🖼️ Tunnicliffe

Xmas book ideas

‘Tis the season to buy books!! 🎄📚

You know what to do 🤗📖

Please support our lovely independent booksellers where you can. They need us !!

@stanfordstravel.bsky.social ❤️

Tell the UK Government they must do better for nature! I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?

I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/...

This will be our final book launch for 2025!

Located in the stunning Great Hall of Oundle School, you will have the opportunity to meet the authors of 'The Penguin book of penguins. Suitable for anyone over the age of 13, it will be signed personally for you on the night.

Book your ticket now!

This promises to be a popular event from Authors in Oundle, with tickets that would make a great forward-thinking Christmas present!
www.authorsinoundle.co.uk/aio-event/lu...
#lucyash; #keirgiles

An illustration, Autumn Leaves, by Franklin Booth and published as a cover for Collier's magazine in 1911. There are three female figures caught in an autumnal wind, appearing to be women dancing as swirling leaves, perhaps fairies. They are dressed in flowing, warm-toned dresses of orange-brown. The figures are positioned in the upper portion of the image sitting on / against bare, gnarled tree branches. Below them, several individual leaves are shown falling where small trees and birds are visible against a hazy sky.

Autumn Leaves, Franklin Booth, 1911.