Book review: The Sirens – Emilia Hart

By Laura McCarthy. Fans of Emilia Hart’s Weyward will be overjoyed at the release of her latest novel, The Sirens, published February 13, 2025. The narrative is delivered through a dual timeline, shifting between 1800 and 2019; in 1800, two Irish sisters are forced onto a convict ship bound...

October Books to hold Valentine’s poetry fundraiser

Southampton’s only community-owned bookshop makes an urgent appeal for support this Valentine’s: October Books Poetry Fundraiser. Amid the chaos of everyday life, creating and nurturing creative, safe spaces in our city has never been more essential. This Valentine’s weekend, make a meaningful impact by joining Southampton’s October Books for...

What’s Coming Up In February At October Books?

By Laura McCarthy. Southampton’s beloved independent bookshop October Books will be hosting a variety of exciting events for lovers of reading, writing, and even cooking this February. Things get underway half way through the month, when they will be holding a poetry fundraiser on Saturday 15th February from 2.30pm...

Review: October Books’ open mic poetry

By Laura McCarthy. October Books’ open mic poetry evening  is a monthly event, hosted by the Southampton bookshop on the third Friday of every month, with the next being on Friday 18th October. I went along to the September event. So, what can you expect? Initially, I had no...

October Books marks Independent Bookshop Week

October Books is Southampton’s main independent bookshop. Next week is Independent Bookshop Week, 15th – 22nd June and October Books is celebrating the occasion with a special event and by offering savings for everyone through the week. On June 17th, they will will be joined by Brazen Books founder...

Learn to make plant-based puddings at October Books

You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy plant-based food, especially when it’s delicious desserts! Find out how to create your own tasty ‘afters’ at October Books’ ‘We can learn to… make vegan and plant-based desserts. On Saturday 8th June, 11am – 12.30pm, join Lucy Parr, Cordon Bleu trained...

Author talk on The Broken Promise of Infrastructure at October Books

New book The Broken Promise of Infrastructure tackles the divisive cultural politics that have been used to deflect attention away from Britain’s failing infrastructure, from Brexit through to the ‘levelling up’ agenda. Building on more than a decade of research, this book argues that infrastructure projects are always far...

Exhibition review: Lost in Transit by Close the Data Gap, October Books

Words by Sarah Groszewski. Photos by Mollie Knight.  Main image: Last Train Home by Annie Farthing.  I’m a feminist with big opinions about transport, so when I heard about ‘Lost in Transit: Finding gendered journeys through art and technology’ I couldn’t wait to visit.   Lost in Transit is an...