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The Booklist

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BOOKBAR

Welcome to BookBar

an independent bookshop and social space in London

BookBar brings people together through books.

Come and visit our bookshop, wine bar and events space in Islington or Chelsea, join us for one of our in person events, browse and order books online or join our BookClub.

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BookBar
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Buy a copy of our Book of the Month* and get a glass of our Wine of the Month for £6

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Members of the BookBar BookClub get 10% off our Book of the Month

*for collection only

Order your copy now

Newly Added

Browse our full list of recommendations

Books of 2024

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Recently Recommended on Instagram

Browse our full list of recommendations

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bookbags

Our iconic canvas BookBags are the perfect size for your daily essentials.

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Buy my BookBar BookBag now

The BookBar loyalty card

In partnership with Ambler Primary School. Buy a book and get a stamp. When you get ten stamps we'll donate a book to a child from Ambler.

Visit our bookshop, wine bar, events and social space at 166 Blackstock Road to get started.

We are SO thrilled that the brilliant Yael van der Wouden has WON the @womensprize for fiction with her debut novel The Safekeep.

We loved The Safekeep so much we hosted an event with Yael in our Islington shop when it was published last year, made The Safekeep our Book of the Year and are proud to call Yael a friend of the shop.

The Safekeep is a tense, subtle, electric novel about history and complicity, love and desire. It's so rich, tender and raw. It's now out in paperback and we have lots of copies!

Congratulations Yael!

We are SO thrilled that the brilliant Yael van der Wouden has WON the @womensprize for fiction with her debut novel The Safekeep.

We loved The Safekeep so much we hosted an event with Yael in our Islington shop when it was published last year, made The Safekeep our Book of the Year and are proud to call Yael a friend of the shop.

The Safekeep is a tense, subtle, electric novel about history and complicity, love and desire. It's so rich, tender and raw. It's now out in paperback and we have lots of copies!

Congratulations Yael!

Mark your diaries, grab your tickets and join us for these incredible additions to our Summer events programme!

With a near-sell out programme at our new Chelsea shop, we're thrilled to be bringing more events to both our Islington and Chelsea communities. From a supper club with one of the UK's most exciting chefs and our friends at Saltine, to coffee and book pairings, and conversations with the hottest literary stars, our Summer events programme is one of our best yet.

Wed 18th June - coffee cupping and book pairing with @extractcoffee (tickets are a fiver in advance or £7 on the night). We'll remain open for browsing and hanging out.
Monday 7th July - @julielincooks supper club at @saltine.london
Monday 14th July - @gurnaikjohal in conversation at BookBar Islington
Thursday 31st July - @v.latronico at BookBar Chelsea

Swipe to learn about the latest additions to our schedule and head to our website (link in bio) to buy your tickets before they go.

Mark your diaries, grab your tickets and join us for these incredible additions to our Summer events programme!

With a near-sell out programme at our new Chelsea shop, we're thrilled to be bringing more events to both our Islington and Chelsea communities. From a supper club with one of the UK's most exciting chefs and our friends at Saltine, to coffee and book pairings, and conversations with the hottest literary stars, our Summer events programme is one of our best yet.

Wed 18th June - coffee cupping and book pairing with @extractcoffee (tickets are a fiver in advance or £7 on the night). We'll remain open for browsing and hanging out.
Monday 7th July - @julielincooks supper club at @saltine.london
Monday 14th July - @gurnaikjohal in conversation at BookBar Islington
Thursday 31st July - @v.latronico at BookBar Chelsea

Swipe to learn about the latest additions to our schedule and head to our website (link in bio) to buy your tickets before they go.

It's all in the detail... 🩷💚💜

We are so proud of our stunning new Chelsea shop. It really does look spectacular and we have some amazing crafts-people to thank for it.

Joinery and furniture - @vialle_and_co
Construction - ReBuild London
Design - @faysullivan
Branding (as always, the fabulous) - @esthershelley_design

What a stunning space they have created for us to celebrate the social side of reading.

Come down and see us, enjoy a coffee or glass of wine, and get bespoke book recommendations from our passionate team.

It's all in the detail... 🩷💚💜

We are so proud of our stunning new Chelsea shop. It really does look spectacular and we have some amazing crafts-people to thank for it.

Joinery and furniture - @vialle_and_co
Construction - ReBuild London
Design - @faysullivan
Branding (as always, the fabulous) - @esthershelley_design

What a stunning space they have created for us to celebrate the social side of reading.

Come down and see us, enjoy a coffee or glass of wine, and get bespoke book recommendations from our passionate team.

Announcing July's BookBar BookClub pick: A Little Trickerie by @rosannapikeauthor 📚🍷☕

Longlisted for the @womensprize for fiction, A Little Trickerie is a generous, warm historical novel set in medieval England with a brilliant main character that's perfect for fans of Sarah Waters.

Born a vagabond, Tibb Ingleby has never had a roof of her own. Her mother has taught her that if you’re not too bound by the Big Man’s rules, there are many ways a woman can find shelter in this world. But now her ma is gone.

As she journeys through the fields and forests of medieval England, Tibb discovers that there are people who will care for her, as well as those who mean her harm. And there are a great many others who are prepared to believe just about anything…So, when the opportunity presents itself to escape the shackles society has placed on them, Tibb and her new friends conjure an audacious plan: her greatest trickerie yet. But before they know it, their hoax takes on a life of its own, drawing crowds - and vengeful enemies - to their door.

A tale of belief and superstition, kinship and courage, A Little Trickerie introduces a ragtag cast of characters and an unforgettable, endearing and distinctly unangelic heroine.

Read a paperback copy of A Little Trickerie and and join us for a virtual interview with the author, Rosanna Pike, on Tuesday 28th July at 7pm.

If you are a member of the BookBar BookClub you'll be able to sign up to join our members' discussion group at either of our Islington or Chelsea shop - just head to the members' area to sign up.

Announcing July's BookBar BookClub pick: A Little Trickerie by @rosannapikeauthor 📚🍷☕

Longlisted for the @womensprize for fiction, A Little Trickerie is a generous, warm historical novel set in medieval England with a brilliant main character that's perfect for fans of Sarah Waters.

Born a vagabond, Tibb Ingleby has never had a roof of her own. Her mother has taught her that if you’re not too bound by the Big Man’s rules, there are many ways a woman can find shelter in this world. But now her ma is gone.

As she journeys through the fields and forests of medieval England, Tibb discovers that there are people who will care for her, as well as those who mean her harm. And there are a great many others who are prepared to believe just about anything…So, when the opportunity presents itself to escape the shackles society has placed on them, Tibb and her new friends conjure an audacious plan: her greatest trickerie yet. But before they know it, their hoax takes on a life of its own, drawing crowds - and vengeful enemies - to their door.

A tale of belief and superstition, kinship and courage, A Little Trickerie introduces a ragtag cast of characters and an unforgettable, endearing and distinctly unangelic heroine.

Read a paperback copy of A Little Trickerie and and join us for a virtual interview with the author, Rosanna Pike, on Tuesday 28th July at 7pm.

If you are a member of the BookBar BookClub you'll be able to sign up to join our members' discussion group at either of our Islington or Chelsea shop - just head to the members' area to sign up.

What a day we had yesterday! It was so amazing to meet our new local community in Chelsea and feel all the love and support from our community in North London, here on Insta and from visits to the new shop itself. We really felt the love!

We'd absolutely love to see you for wine, coffee and books all weekend. We're open until 9pm tonight and from 10am-9pm Saturday and 11-6 on Sunday.

Our passionate booksellers are buzzing to show you our beautiful new space and recommend you your best books to curl up with on our cosy sofa or sun-kissed shop front seating 📚☕🍷

What a day we had yesterday! It was so amazing to meet our new local community in Chelsea and feel all the love and support from our community in North London, here on Insta and from visits to the new shop itself. We really felt the love!

We'd absolutely love to see you for wine, coffee and books all weekend. We're open until 9pm tonight and from 10am-9pm Saturday and 11-6 on Sunday.

Our passionate booksellers are buzzing to show you our beautiful new space and recommend you your best books to curl up with on our cosy sofa or sun-kissed shop front seating 📚☕🍷

BookBar Chelsea is officially open ✨✨✨

Come and hang out with us until 9pm today, where we'll be offering a free glass of fizz with every book purchase of £9.99 or over. We also have a few final complimentary tote bags to give out to early visitors.

We're so proud of our beautiful new shop and can't wait to bring people together through books in West London.

Our opening times are as follows:
Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-9pm
Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

Come see us at 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW!

BookBar Chelsea is officially open ✨✨✨

Come and hang out with us until 9pm today, where we'll be offering a free glass of fizz with every book purchase of £9.99 or over. We also have a few final complimentary tote bags to give out to early visitors.

We're so proud of our beautiful new shop and can't wait to bring people together through books in West London.

Our opening times are as follows:
Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-9pm
Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

Come see us at 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW!

BookBar Chelsea is opening tomorrow!

She's been a long time in the planning, even longer in the dreaming, but we are finally ready to throw open the doors of our gorgeous new BookBar Chelsea!

She's transformed from a vast concrete space to a cosy book-lovers' haven and now she's ready to welcome you.

Tomorrow, Thursday 5th June, from 10am, you're invited to step through the doors of BookBar Chelsea, 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW.

First-comers will receive a free BookBar tote bag and we'll be offering a complementary glass of fizz or bottled soft drink with every book purchase of £9.99 and over all day!

Come and see us to enjoy a browse, a coffee or glass of wine. Chat to our team of expert booksellers, baristas and wine-lovers; curl up with a new book in our cosy shelf-side armchairs. Best of all, meet other book-lovers at our sharing table and swap recs over a glass of wine or coffee. We'd love to see you for our opening day.

Can't make it this week? Join us for our opening events programme, featuring an incredible line up of authors, from Elif Shafak to Oisín McKenna.

We're so proud of our stunning new space, and cannot wait for you to see it.

BookBar Chelsea is opening tomorrow!

She's been a long time in the planning, even longer in the dreaming, but we are finally ready to throw open the doors of our gorgeous new BookBar Chelsea!

She's transformed from a vast concrete space to a cosy book-lovers' haven and now she's ready to welcome you.

Tomorrow, Thursday 5th June, from 10am, you're invited to step through the doors of BookBar Chelsea, 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW.

First-comers will receive a free BookBar tote bag and we'll be offering a complementary glass of fizz or bottled soft drink with every book purchase of £9.99 and over all day!

Come and see us to enjoy a browse, a coffee or glass of wine. Chat to our team of expert booksellers, baristas and wine-lovers; curl up with a new book in our cosy shelf-side armchairs. Best of all, meet other book-lovers at our sharing table and swap recs over a glass of wine or coffee. We'd love to see you for our opening day.

Can't make it this week? Join us for our opening events programme, featuring an incredible line up of authors, from Elif Shafak to Oisín McKenna.

We're so proud of our stunning new space, and cannot wait for you to see it.

Opening very soon...

The shelves are stacked and the wine is chilling, the coffee is brewing and the finishing touches are being put in place. We're nearly ready to welcome you through the doors of BookBar Chelsea.

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting announcements about our new Chelsea shop and sign up to our mailing list (link in bio) for first updates 🩷💚🩷💚

Opening very soon...

The shelves are stacked and the wine is chilling, the coffee is brewing and the finishing touches are being put in place. We're nearly ready to welcome you through the doors of BookBar Chelsea.

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting announcements about our new Chelsea shop and sign up to our mailing list (link in bio) for first updates 🩷💚🩷💚

It's going to be a gorgeous day for enjoying the sun at our shop front seating ☀️📚

Come hang out, enjoy an iced coffee or chilled glass of wine, browse our curated shelves and get hand picked book recs from our team.

We're open until 9pm tonight ☀️📚🍷☕

It's going to be a gorgeous day for enjoying the sun at our shop front seating ☀️📚

Come hang out, enjoy an iced coffee or chilled glass of wine, browse our curated shelves and get hand picked book recs from our team.

We're open until 9pm tonight ☀️📚🍷☕

What a week! We had visits from some wonderful authors - including @v.latronico @ois_mck91 and @francescawade 📚

Vincenzo Latronico's @thebookerprizes shortlisted novel is one of our favourites from this year. A satire of two 'digital nomads' who move to Berlin, with a wry eye to the hipocrasies of millenial culture, it's ultimately full of empathy, beautifully executed. It was such a treat to have a visit from.Vincenzo on the morning of the International Booker Ceremony.

Oisín McKenna's Evenings and Weekends is freshly out in paperback and one of our favourite debut novels of last year. Set in London over one scorching weekend, as three characters reckon with their desires, hopes and fears for the future, we're billing this as Zadie Smith for the housing crisis generation.

Finally we had a visit from Francesca Wade, whose new biography of Gertrude Stein is one of the non-fiction books we're most looking forward to this year. Following the success of her book Square Haunting, about the Bloomsbury Group, this follows the culural afterlife of Gertrude Stein, one of the twentieth century's most celebrated thinkers.

All of these brilliant books are now SIGNED and in stock now! We're open until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

What a week! We had visits from some wonderful authors - including @v.latronico @ois_mck91 and @francescawade 📚

Vincenzo Latronico's @thebookerprizes shortlisted novel is one of our favourites from this year. A satire of two 'digital nomads' who move to Berlin, with a wry eye to the hipocrasies of millenial culture, it's ultimately full of empathy, beautifully executed. It was such a treat to have a visit from.Vincenzo on the morning of the International Booker Ceremony.

Oisín McKenna's Evenings and Weekends is freshly out in paperback and one of our favourite debut novels of last year. Set in London over one scorching weekend, as three characters reckon with their desires, hopes and fears for the future, we're billing this as Zadie Smith for the housing crisis generation.

Finally we had a visit from Francesca Wade, whose new biography of Gertrude Stein is one of the non-fiction books we're most looking forward to this year. Following the success of her book Square Haunting, about the Bloomsbury Group, this follows the culural afterlife of Gertrude Stein, one of the twentieth century's most celebrated thinkers.

All of these brilliant books are now SIGNED and in stock now! We're open until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

It's Intermezzo paperback publication day!

We think Intermezzo is Rooney's most accomplished novel yet, a superb novel about brotherhood, grief, chess, and (of course) sex and love.

Buy your copy of Sally Rooney's Intermezzo and get your incredibly chic Exclusive BookBar coloured whippet pin with your copy. We've got the gorgeous sprayed edge Indie bookshop edition while stocks last!

It's Intermezzo paperback publication day!

We think Intermezzo is Rooney's most accomplished novel yet, a superb novel about brotherhood, grief, chess, and (of course) sex and love.

Buy your copy of Sally Rooney's Intermezzo and get your incredibly chic Exclusive BookBar coloured whippet pin with your copy. We've got the gorgeous sprayed edge Indie bookshop edition while stocks last!

BookBar Exclusive whippet pin (in BookBar colours no less)!!! 🩷💚🩷💚🩷

We are OBSESSED 🐶🐶🐶🐶

These babies are available for free exclusively from BookBar when you purchase Sally Rooney's Intermezzo in paperback 🐶📚

Available in store from tomorrow (Thursday 22nd May), pre-order your independent bookshop edition paperback (with a snazzy sprayed edge) online now to guarantee your whippet pin in BookBar green and pink, or drop in tomorrow, buy your copy and collect your pin on purchase

Pins are limited so get them while they're still available. Link to order in bio.

BookBar Exclusive whippet pin (in BookBar colours no less)!!! 🩷💚🩷💚🩷

We are OBSESSED 🐶🐶🐶🐶

These babies are available for free exclusively from BookBar when you purchase Sally Rooney's Intermezzo in paperback 🐶📚

Available in store from tomorrow (Thursday 22nd May), pre-order your independent bookshop edition paperback (with a snazzy sprayed edge) online now to guarantee your whippet pin in BookBar green and pink, or drop in tomorrow, buy your copy and collect your pin on purchase

Pins are limited so get them while they're still available. Link to order in bio.

Perfect sunny mornings at our shop front tables ☕🍷📚☀️

Pick up the new Ocean Vuong or Maggie Nelson, browse our curated shelves, get bespoke book recs from our team of book-lovers and sip on a delicious iced @extractcoffee coffee or glass of wine. Our Book and Wine of the Month combo - @doomjuicewine fizz and @dailydoseofjess 's Consider Yourself Kissed is the perfect pairing for a sunny Saturday.

We're open until 9pm tonight - see you there ☀️☀️☀️

Perfect sunny mornings at our shop front tables ☕🍷📚☀️

Pick up the new Ocean Vuong or Maggie Nelson, browse our curated shelves, get bespoke book recs from our team of book-lovers and sip on a delicious iced @extractcoffee coffee or glass of wine. Our Book and Wine of the Month combo - @doomjuicewine fizz and @dailydoseofjess 's Consider Yourself Kissed is the perfect pairing for a sunny Saturday.

We're open until 9pm tonight - see you there ☀️☀️☀️

Announcing the first events at BookBar Chelsea!

Events at BookBar are one of our favourite ways of bringing people together. Through our lively events programme, you've hung out with everyone from David Nicholls to Dolly Alderton, by way of Kiley Reid and Naoise Dolan. You've been to Bonnie Garmus' first ever book event, had your books signed by Hanya Yanagihara, played video games with Gabrielle Zevin, and flirted with other book-lovers at our Read Dating night.

So we had big expectations for our events in our new Chelsea shop. And with more space, more books, more drinks and the same incredible vibes, we're so thrilled to share our very first events at BookBar Chelsea.

Scroll along for the full programme and head to bookbaruk.com/events to secure your tickets before they go to this iconic programme of events to launch our new space:

💫 Katie Kitamura and Caleb Azumah Nelson, Thursday 19th June
💫 Elif Shafak, Monday 23rd June
💫 Jessica Stanley and Natasha Lunn, Monday 30th June
💫 Alice Slater, Tuesday 8th July
💫 Oisín McKenna and Francesca Reece, Tuesday 29th July

Announcing the first events at BookBar Chelsea!

Events at BookBar are one of our favourite ways of bringing people together. Through our lively events programme, you've hung out with everyone from David Nicholls to Dolly Alderton, by way of Kiley Reid and Naoise Dolan. You've been to Bonnie Garmus' first ever book event, had your books signed by Hanya Yanagihara, played video games with Gabrielle Zevin, and flirted with other book-lovers at our Read Dating night.

So we had big expectations for our events in our new Chelsea shop. And with more space, more books, more drinks and the same incredible vibes, we're so thrilled to share our very first events at BookBar Chelsea.

Scroll along for the full programme and head to bookbaruk.com/events to secure your tickets before they go to this iconic programme of events to launch our new space:

💫 Katie Kitamura and Caleb Azumah Nelson, Thursday 19th June
💫 Elif Shafak, Monday 23rd June
💫 Jessica Stanley and Natasha Lunn, Monday 30th June
💫 Alice Slater, Tuesday 8th July
💫 Oisín McKenna and Francesca Reece, Tuesday 29th July

All Fours by @mirandajuly is out in paperback now 💛💛💛

This steamy @womensprize shortlisted novel is one of our favourite books from last year. Following an artist in a personal crisis as she confronts her changing body and experiences sexual and personal awakening, it's an astonishingly funny, sexy, empathetic and profound story about perimenopause, aging, love, family, sex and desire. We recommend it so highly and are thrilled it's out in paperback now.

Come on down and see us until 9pm every night for the rest of the week and until 6pm on Sunday, grab your copy and enjoy a glass of delicious wine at our sunny shop front tables.

All Fours by @mirandajuly is out in paperback now 💛💛💛

This steamy @womensprize shortlisted novel is one of our favourite books from last year. Following an artist in a personal crisis as she confronts her changing body and experiences sexual and personal awakening, it's an astonishingly funny, sexy, empathetic and profound story about perimenopause, aging, love, family, sex and desire. We recommend it so highly and are thrilled it's out in paperback now.

Come on down and see us until 9pm every night for the rest of the week and until 6pm on Sunday, grab your copy and enjoy a glass of delicious wine at our sunny shop front tables.

Booktivo Sundays ☀️📚

On this gorgeous sunny Sunday, come hang out at one of our shop front tables with a @botivodrinks and ginger spritz (our Booktivo) 🍹 it's our most refreshing non-alcoholic option, perfect for a Sunday after a big Saturday.

Our team are armed with their best book recs, delicious iced drinks, chilled wine (including our Wine of the Month, an @doomjuicewine fizz, paired perfectly with our Book of the Month, Consider Yourself Kissed), and tasty @extractcoffee.

Come hang out until 6pm today ☀️🍷☕📚

Booktivo Sundays ☀️📚

On this gorgeous sunny Sunday, come hang out at one of our shop front tables with a @botivodrinks and ginger spritz (our Booktivo) 🍹 it's our most refreshing non-alcoholic option, perfect for a Sunday after a big Saturday.

Our team are armed with their best book recs, delicious iced drinks, chilled wine (including our Wine of the Month, an @doomjuicewine fizz, paired perfectly with our Book of the Month, Consider Yourself Kissed), and tasty @extractcoffee.

Come hang out until 6pm today ☀️🍷☕📚

It's a gorgeous day in North East London: Arsenal Women's team have just finished their season on a 4-3 win against Man United 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 and the sun is shining on our bookshop, wine/coffee bar ☀️☀️☀️

So why not come down and enjoy the sun at shop front tables and pick up a copy of our East-London based Book of the Month, Consider Yourself Kissed by @dailydoseofjess, and our perfectly paired Doom Juice Fizz from our neighbours @topcuvee?

Consider Yourself Kissed is this summer's hottest book, a charming love story set in East and North East London - perfect for all your Broadway Market moochers, Newington Green strollers and Clissold Park hangers. Telling the story of an Australian based in Haggerston, and the policial journalist she falls in love with, this Australian-produced Pet Nat could not be a better match. And with fresh, raspberry notes, it's the perfect match for this sunny, celebratory Saturday.

Pick up a copy of Consider Yourself Kissed and get a glass for £7, or enjoy a glass while you browse for a tenner.

Earlier this morning, we sent out our May Reading List. Want to get all the best book recs every month? Sign up to our mailing list at our website, or pop in and pick our booksellers' brains. We're open until 9pm tonight.

It's a gorgeous day in North East London: Arsenal Women's team have just finished their season on a 4-3 win against Man United 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 and the sun is shining on our bookshop, wine/coffee bar ☀️☀️☀️

So why not come down and enjoy the sun at shop front tables and pick up a copy of our East-London based Book of the Month, Consider Yourself Kissed by @dailydoseofjess, and our perfectly paired Doom Juice Fizz from our neighbours @topcuvee?

Consider Yourself Kissed is this summer's hottest book, a charming love story set in East and North East London - perfect for all your Broadway Market moochers, Newington Green strollers and Clissold Park hangers. Telling the story of an Australian based in Haggerston, and the policial journalist she falls in love with, this Australian-produced Pet Nat could not be a better match. And with fresh, raspberry notes, it's the perfect match for this sunny, celebratory Saturday.

Pick up a copy of Consider Yourself Kissed and get a glass for £7, or enjoy a glass while you browse for a tenner.

Earlier this morning, we sent out our May Reading List. Want to get all the best book recs every month? Sign up to our mailing list at our website, or pop in and pick our booksellers' brains. We're open until 9pm tonight.

BookBar Presents... Katie Kitamura in conversation with Caleb Azumah Nelson 💫💫💫

We are so excited to share our very first event at our new Chelsea shop with @_katiekitamura 's only London event on her Audition tour!

We're kicking off our programme at BookBar's new bookshop and events space with a conversation between two of our most-loved authors: Katie Kitamura and Caleb Azumah Nelson.

We loved Katie's previous novel Intimacies, a brilliant novel about language and translation, communication and miscommunication set in the Hague, so we've been so excited to recommend her new novel Audition. In Audition, an actor meets up with a young man in a restaurant, asking the reader to question who this woman is, and what her relationship to this younger man might be. A lover, a son, a mentee? This tricksy, exquisite novel explores our relationships to one another and ourselves, and our daily acts of performance. It's been glowingly reviewed by The Guardian, the New York Times and the FT called it 'a lightning bolt of a novel'.

Join us at BookBar Chelsea, 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW on 19th June 2025 for Katie's only London event on her Audition tour. Tickets are on sale now and include a copy of Audition (RRP £18.99)

BookBar Presents... Katie Kitamura in conversation with Caleb Azumah Nelson 💫💫💫

We are so excited to share our very first event at our new Chelsea shop with @_katiekitamura 's only London event on her Audition tour!

We're kicking off our programme at BookBar's new bookshop and events space with a conversation between two of our most-loved authors: Katie Kitamura and Caleb Azumah Nelson.

We loved Katie's previous novel Intimacies, a brilliant novel about language and translation, communication and miscommunication set in the Hague, so we've been so excited to recommend her new novel Audition. In Audition, an actor meets up with a young man in a restaurant, asking the reader to question who this woman is, and what her relationship to this younger man might be. A lover, a son, a mentee? This tricksy, exquisite novel explores our relationships to one another and ourselves, and our daily acts of performance. It's been glowingly reviewed by The Guardian, the New York Times and the FT called it 'a lightning bolt of a novel'.

Join us at BookBar Chelsea, 11 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 3TW on 19th June 2025 for Katie's only London event on her Audition tour. Tickets are on sale now and include a copy of Audition (RRP £18.99)

Announcing our May Book of the Month: Consider Yourself Kissed by @dailydoseofjess

With the warmth of a David Nicholls novel, Consider Yourself Kissed is a love story set against ten years of one woman's life, as she meets, falls in love and builds a life with a political journalist. Coralie is new to London, having moved from her home in Australia, when she meets Adam and his daughter in Victoria Park. With each stage of their relationship set against the dramatic events of British politics over the last ten years, you’ll be swept along by this novel’s humour and charm, and the recognisable East London setting. It's about where the personal and the politics collide, where conversations in the corridors of Westminster are felt at home, observed with wit and sharpness.

Inspired by the Australian/East London blend, we've partnered with our neighbours @topcuvee to pair this more-ish novel with the equally delicious Doom Juice Pet Nat, from these iconic Australian producers. This is a gorgeous Pet Nat with plush notes of lime, strawberry, raspberry and goji berries. Equal parts juicy and crisp with a vibrant and refreshing minerality. Made in Sydney, imported by East London's finest Top Cuvée, and served by yours truly, we couldn't think of a more iconic pairing for this novel.

Get a glass of Pet Nat for a tenner, or enjoy it for just £7 when you purchase a copy of Consider Yourself Kissed from BookBar in May 🍷📚☀️

Announcing our May Book of the Month: Consider Yourself Kissed by @dailydoseofjess

With the warmth of a David Nicholls novel, Consider Yourself Kissed is a love story set against ten years of one woman's life, as she meets, falls in love and builds a life with a political journalist. Coralie is new to London, having moved from her home in Australia, when she meets Adam and his daughter in Victoria Park. With each stage of their relationship set against the dramatic events of British politics over the last ten years, you’ll be swept along by this novel’s humour and charm, and the recognisable East London setting. It's about where the personal and the politics collide, where conversations in the corridors of Westminster are felt at home, observed with wit and sharpness.

Inspired by the Australian/East London blend, we've partnered with our neighbours @topcuvee to pair this more-ish novel with the equally delicious Doom Juice Pet Nat, from these iconic Australian producers. This is a gorgeous Pet Nat with plush notes of lime, strawberry, raspberry and goji berries. Equal parts juicy and crisp with a vibrant and refreshing minerality. Made in Sydney, imported by East London's finest Top Cuvée, and served by yours truly, we couldn't think of a more iconic pairing for this novel.

Get a glass of Pet Nat for a tenner, or enjoy it for just £7 when you purchase a copy of Consider Yourself Kissed from BookBar in May 🍷📚☀️

Calling all BookClub members 🚨🚨🚨

Join us for our BookBar BookClub Spring Social!

BookBar is all about celebrating the social side of reading and our BookClub is a big part of creating and caring for our community. Alongside our monthly discussion groups, we want to give BookClub Members the chance to get together and chat books IRL.

On Tuesday 20th of May we will be welcoming BookClub Members into the store after hours to enjoy the space, celebrate all that our wonderful BookClub is, and enjoy a drink while they do it!

This event is for BookClub Members only, £12 for a ticket (with a drink included, of course!) 6:30-8:30pm. You’ll find tickets available to purchase through the Members Area on our website. Tickets are limited so get in quick!

Calling all BookClub members 🚨🚨🚨

Join us for our BookBar BookClub Spring Social!

BookBar is all about celebrating the social side of reading and our BookClub is a big part of creating and caring for our community. Alongside our monthly discussion groups, we want to give BookClub Members the chance to get together and chat books IRL.

On Tuesday 20th of May we will be welcoming BookClub Members into the store after hours to enjoy the space, celebrate all that our wonderful BookClub is, and enjoy a drink while they do it!

This event is for BookClub Members only, £12 for a ticket (with a drink included, of course!) 6:30-8:30pm. You’ll find tickets available to purchase through the Members Area on our website. Tickets are limited so get in quick!

EXCLUSIVE TO BOOKBAR 🐶🐶🐶

Thanks to @faberbooks , we are offering an exclusive-to-BookBar whippet pin badge free with your paperback copy of the Indie bookshop edition of Sally Rooney's Intermezzo!

We love Sally Rooney's writing and can't wait for her latest novel Intermezzo to arrive in paperback. It's her most ambitious and accomplished novel yet, following two very different brothers as they face the loss of their father. It's beautiful on grief, brotherhood, and, unsurprisingly for Rooney, sex and love.

Pre-order your paperback from BookBar today to secure your badge. Pins are limited so head to our website to secure yours now!

EXCLUSIVE TO BOOKBAR 🐶🐶🐶

Thanks to @faberbooks , we are offering an exclusive-to-BookBar whippet pin badge free with your paperback copy of the Indie bookshop edition of Sally Rooney's Intermezzo!

We love Sally Rooney's writing and can't wait for her latest novel Intermezzo to arrive in paperback. It's her most ambitious and accomplished novel yet, following two very different brothers as they face the loss of their father. It's beautiful on grief, brotherhood, and, unsurprisingly for Rooney, sex and love.

Pre-order your paperback from BookBar today to secure your badge. Pins are limited so head to our website to secure yours now!

BookBar recommends... Audition by Katie Kitamura

We loved Katie's previous novel Intimacies, a brilliant novel about language and translation, communication and miscommunication set in the Hague, so we've been so excited to recommend her new novel Audition.

An actor meets up with a young man in a restaurant, asking the reader to question who this woman is, and what her relationship to this younger man might be. A lover, a son, a mentee? This tricksy, exquisite novel explores our relationships to one another and ourselves, and our daily acts of performance.

It's been glowingly reviewed by The Guardian, the New York Times and the FT called it 'a lightning bolt of a novel'.

Available now from BookBar 📚

BookBar recommends... Audition by Katie Kitamura

We loved Katie's previous novel Intimacies, a brilliant novel about language and translation, communication and miscommunication set in the Hague, so we've been so excited to recommend her new novel Audition.

An actor meets up with a young man in a restaurant, asking the reader to question who this woman is, and what her relationship to this younger man might be. A lover, a son, a mentee? This tricksy, exquisite novel explores our relationships to one another and ourselves, and our daily acts of performance.

It's been glowingly reviewed by The Guardian, the New York Times and the FT called it 'a lightning bolt of a novel'.

Available now from BookBar 📚

Out now in paperback 📚

So many of our faves are out now in paperback, from Chris Whitaker's All The Colours of the Dark (our book of the month last July), to @womensprize for non-fiction longlistees What the Wild Sea Can Be and Private Revolutions. To @shafakelif 's gorgeous There Are Rivers In The Sky, finally out in paperback, to Bella Mackie's latest, Amor Towels and Pat Barker, plus our April BookClub pick, A Language of Limbs, and a love story for fans of Richard Curtis and David Nicholls: As Young As This.

All available for postage and collection at our website, or pop in to see us this week: we're open Tuesday-Sunday for 📚☕🍷

Out now in paperback 📚

So many of our faves are out now in paperback, from Chris Whitaker's All The Colours of the Dark (our book of the month last July), to @womensprize for non-fiction longlistees What the Wild Sea Can Be and Private Revolutions. To @shafakelif 's gorgeous There Are Rivers In The Sky, finally out in paperback, to Bella Mackie's latest, Amor Towels and Pat Barker, plus our April BookClub pick, A Language of Limbs, and a love story for fans of Richard Curtis and David Nicholls: As Young As This.

All available for postage and collection at our website, or pop in to see us this week: we're open Tuesday-Sunday for 📚☕🍷

Just in time for the weekend 🍷📚☀️

One of our favourite novels of last year, Evenings and Weekends by @ois_mck91 is finally out in paperback and just look at that sprayed edge 😍😍😍

Set over a scorching weekend at the height of summer, when a whale washes up on the banks of the Thames, unsettling the rhythms of three characters, whose lives interweave as they face separate, yet intertwined, reckonings.

It's the perfect read for a sunny weekend - come and get your copy and enjoy a glass of rosé or a delicious iced or hot coffee at our shop front seating 📚🍷☕

Just in time for the weekend 🍷📚☀️

One of our favourite novels of last year, Evenings and Weekends by @ois_mck91 is finally out in paperback and just look at that sprayed edge 😍😍😍

Set over a scorching weekend at the height of summer, when a whale washes up on the banks of the Thames, unsettling the rhythms of three characters, whose lives interweave as they face separate, yet intertwined, reckonings.

It's the perfect read for a sunny weekend - come and get your copy and enjoy a glass of rosé or a delicious iced or hot coffee at our shop front seating 📚🍷☕

It's a gorgeous day for an author visit ☀️

It's your last chance to pre-order your ***signed*** copy of In For Dinner by @rosiekellett and get a voucher for a free soft drink or coffee at BookBar with your book 🍜☕📚

We love Rosie's inclusive way of cooking, and her approach to bringing people together through food echoes our love of community, so it's such an honour to get to work with her and her amazing team @vintagebooks to bring you exclusive signed pre-ordered copies.

Head to our website to order yours in time for publication day next Thursday 1st May!

It's a gorgeous day for an author visit ☀️

It's your last chance to pre-order your ***signed*** copy of In For Dinner by @rosiekellett and get a voucher for a free soft drink or coffee at BookBar with your book 🍜☕📚

We love Rosie's inclusive way of cooking, and her approach to bringing people together through food echoes our love of community, so it's such an honour to get to work with her and her amazing team @vintagebooks to bring you exclusive signed pre-ordered copies.

Head to our website to order yours in time for publication day next Thursday 1st May!

💫 SIGNED COPIES ALERT 💫

We're collabing with our friend and local author @rosiekellett to offer exclusive signed copies when you pre-order from BookBar. Not only will your copy be signed by Rosie, but you can enjoy a free soft drink with your pre-ordered copy.

For the past five years, home cook Rosie Kellett has been living communally with six others, making delicious seasonal food on a budget. In her first cookbook, she shares 101 low-effort, high-reward, veg-forward recipes to nourish you. Whether you’re in a flatshare, feeding a family, solo meal-prepping, or hosting a dinner party, Rosie will show you how to create recipes that will delight you and your loved ones, inspiring you to stay In for Dinner.

Head to our website to pre-order your copy today.

💫 SIGNED COPIES ALERT 💫

We're collabing with our friend and local author @rosiekellett to offer exclusive signed copies when you pre-order from BookBar. Not only will your copy be signed by Rosie, but you can enjoy a free soft drink with your pre-ordered copy.

For the past five years, home cook Rosie Kellett has been living communally with six others, making delicious seasonal food on a budget. In her first cookbook, she shares 101 low-effort, high-reward, veg-forward recipes to nourish you. Whether you’re in a flatshare, feeding a family, solo meal-prepping, or hosting a dinner party, Rosie will show you how to create recipes that will delight you and your loved ones, inspiring you to stay In for Dinner.

Head to our website to pre-order your copy today.

Happy Bank Holiday! A four day weekend means two more days to enjoy our latest recommendations 📚🍷☕

Our hours are slightly different over the bank holiday:

Thursday 17th April: 10am-9pm
Friday 18th April: 10am-9pm
Saturday 19th April: 10am-6pm
Sunday 20th April: 11am-6pm
Monday 21st April: Closed

Come in, enjoy a drink and ask our team for their best recs 🐣📚

Happy Bank Holiday! A four day weekend means two more days to enjoy our latest recommendations 📚🍷☕

Our hours are slightly different over the bank holiday:

Thursday 17th April: 10am-9pm
Friday 18th April: 10am-9pm
Saturday 19th April: 10am-6pm
Sunday 20th April: 11am-6pm
Monday 21st April: Closed

Come in, enjoy a drink and ask our team for their best recs 🐣📚

We're four today! 🎂🍾🥂📚☕📚

We can't believe our luck, getting to build a community of book, wine and coffee lovers, hosting events with our favourite authors, sharing book recs and creating a social space that brings people together through books. We couldn't do it without you, our amazing community, so we'll be raising a glass this weekend to you all.

We'd love to celebrate with you. We'll be serving delicious crémant by the glass for £6 from noon all weekend (or until we run out!), and offering members of the BookBar BookClub 20% off books. Just use the voucher code you'll be sent online or give your name at the till.

We'd love to see you in the shop this weekend to celebrate with us. Can't make it in? You can browse books at our website, join our BookClub, or book a ticket to an event.

We're four today! 🎂🍾🥂📚☕📚

We can't believe our luck, getting to build a community of book, wine and coffee lovers, hosting events with our favourite authors, sharing book recs and creating a social space that brings people together through books. We couldn't do it without you, our amazing community, so we'll be raising a glass this weekend to you all.

We'd love to celebrate with you. We'll be serving delicious crémant by the glass for £6 from noon all weekend (or until we run out!), and offering members of the BookBar BookClub 20% off books. Just use the voucher code you'll be sent online or give your name at the till.

We'd love to see you in the shop this weekend to celebrate with us. Can't make it in? You can browse books at our website, join our BookClub, or book a ticket to an event.

That Friday feeling 🍷📚☀️

Our Book of the Month, On The Calculation of Volume (I) is a stunning novel about life and love, as the protagonist realises she is stuck in a timeloop, where every day is 18th November. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, we couldn't recommend it highly enough - and if you love it, you can go straight into part two (of seven!).

It's the perfect thing to read in one sitting in the sun, paired with a glass of our gorgeous wine of the month, Le Blanc De L'Oeuf, a refreshing, floral and zesty blend from the south of France.

Buy a copy of our Book of the Month and get a glass for £6, then find a seat in our sun-kissed shop or shop front seating, relax and enjoy! Members of the BookBar BookClub get 10% their book of the month 📚

That Friday feeling 🍷📚☀️

Our Book of the Month, On The Calculation of Volume (I) is a stunning novel about life and love, as the protagonist realises she is stuck in a timeloop, where every day is 18th November. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, we couldn't recommend it highly enough - and if you love it, you can go straight into part two (of seven!).

It's the perfect thing to read in one sitting in the sun, paired with a glass of our gorgeous wine of the month, Le Blanc De L'Oeuf, a refreshing, floral and zesty blend from the south of France.

Buy a copy of our Book of the Month and get a glass for £6, then find a seat in our sun-kissed shop or shop front seating, relax and enjoy! Members of the BookBar BookClub get 10% their book of the month 📚

The biggest joy to welcome Solvej Balle, author of our April BOOK OF THE MONTH, On The Calculation of Volume (I), to BookBar to sign copies of the first two parts of this extraordinary series.

This International Booker Prize Shortlisted novel is a total masterpiece. Part one of what will eventually be a septology, it's existential, addictive and moving.

Tara Selter is trapped in 18th November. Re-living the same quotidian day for the hundredth time, she is determined to discover how and why she is stuck in a time loop. Lauded as one of the New Yorker’s books of the year, it’s an extraordinary achievement that explores the nature of time, love and life. The whole team is obsessed, and now you can join us as we long for book three to drop later this year (@faberbooks what are you doing to us?).

Buy your copy and get a glass of our delicious wine of the month, Le Blanc de l'Oeuf, a refreshing, mineral drop from the South of France for £6. Hurry to get your signed copies before they go!

The biggest joy to welcome Solvej Balle, author of our April BOOK OF THE MONTH, On The Calculation of Volume (I), to BookBar to sign copies of the first two parts of this extraordinary series.

This International Booker Prize Shortlisted novel is a total masterpiece. Part one of what will eventually be a septology, it's existential, addictive and moving.

Tara Selter is trapped in 18th November. Re-living the same quotidian day for the hundredth time, she is determined to discover how and why she is stuck in a time loop. Lauded as one of the New Yorker’s books of the year, it’s an extraordinary achievement that explores the nature of time, love and life. The whole team is obsessed, and now you can join us as we long for book three to drop later this year (@faberbooks what are you doing to us?).

Buy your copy and get a glass of our delicious wine of the month, Le Blanc de l'Oeuf, a refreshing, mineral drop from the South of France for £6. Hurry to get your signed copies before they go!

BookBar Presents... An Evening with Sarah Harman 📚🍷☕

We're looking forward to welcoming @sarah_harman_writer to BookBar to discuss her new novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me.

One of Service95, Stylist and i's hottest books of 2025, you can meet Sarah at BookBar Islington on Tuesday 15th April at 7pm.

Ten years after the grim end of her girl band career, the only good thing Florence has to show for it is her wonderful son Dylan. So when Dylan’s class rival disappears on a school trip, Florence is determined to find him to clear Dylan’s name. All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a brilliantly funny mystery about snobbery, single parenting and fitting in that has all the humour of Katherine Ryan's The Duchess.

Head to our website to purchase your ticket (including a copy of the book).

BookBar Presents... An Evening with Sarah Harman 📚🍷☕

We're looking forward to welcoming @sarah_harman_writer to BookBar to discuss her new novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me.

One of Service95, Stylist and i's hottest books of 2025, you can meet Sarah at BookBar Islington on Tuesday 15th April at 7pm.

Ten years after the grim end of her girl band career, the only good thing Florence has to show for it is her wonderful son Dylan. So when Dylan’s class rival disappears on a school trip, Florence is determined to find him to clear Dylan’s name. All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a brilliantly funny mystery about snobbery, single parenting and fitting in that has all the humour of Katherine Ryan's The Duchess.

Head to our website to purchase your ticket (including a copy of the book).

Gorgeous Spring days at our shop front seating 📚🍷☕

Come hang out with us this weekend with a delicious glass of wine, iced coffee or cold beer, browse our curated shelves and get your weekend book recs from our passionate and knowledgeable team.

We're open until 9pm tonight, from 10am-9pm tomorrow and from 11am-6pm on Sunday.

And watch your inboxes for our monthly reading list. Subscribe now to receive yours.

Gorgeous Spring days at our shop front seating 📚🍷☕

Come hang out with us this weekend with a delicious glass of wine, iced coffee or cold beer, browse our curated shelves and get your weekend book recs from our passionate and knowledgeable team.

We're open until 9pm tonight, from 10am-9pm tomorrow and from 11am-6pm on Sunday.

And watch your inboxes for our monthly reading list. Subscribe now to receive yours.

Today we're recommending Maternity Service by @emmabarnett - a celebration and acknowledgement of the work of being on maternity leave, with its soaring highs and challenging lows, and its impact on how women feel about our purpose and ourselves.

Our friends at Charlotte Street Hotel are hosting a special book salon with Emma Barnett on 28th April at 6.30pm. We will be selling books on the evening and are offering a special ticket price to our Book Bar audience/members. Tickets will be just £15 for book salon entry including a glass of wine or soft drink or £55 for a ticket and 2 course dinner in Oscar restaurant.

Book your tickets here https://buytickets.designmynight.com/?item-ids=67ab49c4614b525216686eb7&trackingId=67acc75682e6a2784e73a207

And enter the code BOOKBAR at checkout for your discount to be applied. See you there!

Today we're recommending Maternity Service by @emmabarnett - a celebration and acknowledgement of the work of being on maternity leave, with its soaring highs and challenging lows, and its impact on how women feel about our purpose and ourselves.

Our friends at Charlotte Street Hotel are hosting a special book salon with Emma Barnett on 28th April at 6.30pm. We will be selling books on the evening and are offering a special ticket price to our Book Bar audience/members. Tickets will be just £15 for book salon entry including a glass of wine or soft drink or £55 for a ticket and 2 course dinner in Oscar restaurant.

Book your tickets here https://buytickets.designmynight.com/?item-ids=67ab49c4614b525216686eb7&trackingId=67acc75682e6a2784e73a207

And enter the code BOOKBAR at checkout for your discount to be applied. See you there!

WHAT a @womensprize for Fiction shortlist!

It's a list full of bold, beautiful, brilliant novels that have extraordinary range and really feel like a reflection of the breadth, concerns and skill of women's writing in 2025. Hats off to the judges for selecting this very special list.

Buy two of the Women's Prize shortlists (Non-Fiction or Fiction) and get a glass of our wine of the month, a delicious white wine from the Languedoc region of France, for £5. It's crisp and floral, the perfect drop to take you into Spring (and the perfect pairing with our April Book of the Month - to be announced soon!).

THE SAFEKEEP by Yael Van Der Wouden - our 2024 Book of the Year, and a exquisite and electric novel about desire and historical complicity that will keep you hooked with it's incredible tension.

TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout - Strout's beloved characters Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge meet for the first time in this characteristically well observed story propelled along by a murder mystery.

ALL FOURS by Miranda July - a BookBar favourite, this novel is scintillating, clever and addictive story about a woman entering middle age. It's incredibly sexy to boot and a total must read.

FUNDAMENTALLY by Nussaibah Younis - BookBar's March Book of the Month, this empathetic and genuinely laugh-out-loud story about a woman who takes a job in Iraq working for the UN, rehabilitating women who have married ISIS members. Bold and brilliant, we've never read anything like it, and promise it will upend everything you thought you understood about the international aid sector.

GOOD GIRL by Aria Aber - this coming of age tale about a woman who has an affair with an older man, an artist, whilst navigating her identity as a child of Afghan immigrants in Berlin.

THE PERSIANS by Sanam Mahlouji - a multi-generational family saga that follows five women across eighty years, from before the Iranian revolution in 1979 to present day Aspen, by way of 80s LA. It's funny and empathetic, and has a strength of voice that will stay with you.

We absolutely love this shortlist and can't wait to discuss it with you all.

WHAT a @womensprize for Fiction shortlist!

It's a list full of bold, beautiful, brilliant novels that have extraordinary range and really feel like a reflection of the breadth, concerns and skill of women's writing in 2025. Hats off to the judges for selecting this very special list.

Buy two of the Women's Prize shortlists (Non-Fiction or Fiction) and get a glass of our wine of the month, a delicious white wine from the Languedoc region of France, for £5. It's crisp and floral, the perfect drop to take you into Spring (and the perfect pairing with our April Book of the Month - to be announced soon!).

THE SAFEKEEP by Yael Van Der Wouden - our 2024 Book of the Year, and a exquisite and electric novel about desire and historical complicity that will keep you hooked with it's incredible tension.

TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout - Strout's beloved characters Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge meet for the first time in this characteristically well observed story propelled along by a murder mystery.

ALL FOURS by Miranda July - a BookBar favourite, this novel is scintillating, clever and addictive story about a woman entering middle age. It's incredibly sexy to boot and a total must read.

FUNDAMENTALLY by Nussaibah Younis - BookBar's March Book of the Month, this empathetic and genuinely laugh-out-loud story about a woman who takes a job in Iraq working for the UN, rehabilitating women who have married ISIS members. Bold and brilliant, we've never read anything like it, and promise it will upend everything you thought you understood about the international aid sector.

GOOD GIRL by Aria Aber - this coming of age tale about a woman who has an affair with an older man, an artist, whilst navigating her identity as a child of Afghan immigrants in Berlin.

THE PERSIANS by Sanam Mahlouji - a multi-generational family saga that follows five women across eighty years, from before the Iranian revolution in 1979 to present day Aspen, by way of 80s LA. It's funny and empathetic, and has a strength of voice that will stay with you.

We absolutely love this shortlist and can't wait to discuss it with you all.

It's the last weekend with Fundamentally as our Book of the Month, which means it's your last chance to get a glass of our wine of the month for £5 with your copy. Don't forget if you are a member of the BookBar BookClub, you'll get 10% off.

We love @nussaibahyounis funny, empathetic, observant and original novel about a woman who is tasked with rehabilitating women who have married into ISIS for the UN in Iraq. With the playfulness of Percival Everett and the wit and warmth of Dolly Alderton, we highly recommend Fundamentally for the way it is able to dismantle our expectations and be a superbly entertaining read. It's longlisted for the @womensprize and we have our fingers crossed for the shortlist. We have a very limited number of signed copies available.

Come pick up your copy today. We're open from 10am-9pm. Enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine, browse our shelves and get the perfect book recs from our team ☕🍷📚

It's the last weekend with Fundamentally as our Book of the Month, which means it's your last chance to get a glass of our wine of the month for £5 with your copy. Don't forget if you are a member of the BookBar BookClub, you'll get 10% off.

We love @nussaibahyounis funny, empathetic, observant and original novel about a woman who is tasked with rehabilitating women who have married into ISIS for the UN in Iraq. With the playfulness of Percival Everett and the wit and warmth of Dolly Alderton, we highly recommend Fundamentally for the way it is able to dismantle our expectations and be a superbly entertaining read. It's longlisted for the @womensprize and we have our fingers crossed for the shortlist. We have a very limited number of signed copies available.

Come pick up your copy today. We're open from 10am-9pm. Enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine, browse our shelves and get the perfect book recs from our team ☕🍷📚

One book, so many readers 📚

The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley's genre-defying novel is out in paperback today. It's a time-travelling, science fiction romance that combines thriller and humour to create a totally original novel, which is longlisted for this year's @womensprize for fiction.

Paperback copies in FOUR different colours now in stock. Which is your pick?

Come and grab your copy, and ask our team for their best recs, and enjoy a glass of wine or coffee while you read. We're open until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

One book, so many readers 📚

The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley's genre-defying novel is out in paperback today. It's a time-travelling, science fiction romance that combines thriller and humour to create a totally original novel, which is longlisted for this year's @womensprize for fiction.

Paperback copies in FOUR different colours now in stock. Which is your pick?

Come and grab your copy, and ask our team for their best recs, and enjoy a glass of wine or coffee while you read. We're open until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

We ♥️ events 📚🍷☕

Everything we do at BookBar is about bringing people together through books and what better way to celebrate the social side of reading than by hosting author conversations?

We've recently hosted conversations with Women's Prize Longlisted @nussaibahyounis and comedian and author @sara.pascoe on Nussaibah's superb Fundamentally, @wordsbynatasha in conversation with @mendezauthor on Natasha's latest novel Universality, and, last night, a packed in-house event with @ellafrears and @imightbesheenapatel 🎤

We love partnering with amazing venues across London to host special evenings (thank you @firmdale_hotels @charlottestreet_hotel @century_soho for working with us!) and we can't wait to host more events at our gorgeous Islington shop and larger events at our beautiful new shop in Chelsea. Expect more amazing conversations, book clubs, and more at our new, bigger space!

Want to be the first to hear about upcoming events? Sign up to our mailing list now!

Check our our website for details of our next event: an evening in conversation with @sarah_harman_writer on her debut novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me, or head to @boredofdatingapps to sign up to our very first Read Dating singles night!

We ♥️ events 📚🍷☕

Everything we do at BookBar is about bringing people together through books and what better way to celebrate the social side of reading than by hosting author conversations?

We've recently hosted conversations with Women's Prize Longlisted @nussaibahyounis and comedian and author @sara.pascoe on Nussaibah's superb Fundamentally, @wordsbynatasha in conversation with @mendezauthor on Natasha's latest novel Universality, and, last night, a packed in-house event with @ellafrears and @imightbesheenapatel 🎤

We love partnering with amazing venues across London to host special evenings (thank you @firmdale_hotels @charlottestreet_hotel @century_soho for working with us!) and we can't wait to host more events at our gorgeous Islington shop and larger events at our beautiful new shop in Chelsea. Expect more amazing conversations, book clubs, and more at our new, bigger space!

Want to be the first to hear about upcoming events? Sign up to our mailing list now!

Check our our website for details of our next event: an evening in conversation with @sarah_harman_writer on her debut novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me, or head to @boredofdatingapps to sign up to our very first Read Dating singles night!

Introducing... BookBar Chelsea 💫💫💫

We've got huge news! After four years of celebrating the social side of reading, BookBar is opening a new shop: BookBar Chelsea.

That's right, we're heading West! BookBar Chelsea will be our flagship event space, as well as serving as a bookshop and social space like our cosy Islington shop. Expect more of the things you love most: books, wine, coffee and a thriving community of avid and aspiring readers with whom to share it. With more space to hang out in, more books to discover, and an action-packed series of events, we're beyond excited to welcome you to our new space at 3B Chelsea Manor Street, SW3.

We're working hard to get the new shop ready for you, and are hoping to open later in the Spring. Watch this space, and, of course, follow us here on Instagram and at our mailing list for regular updates.

We can't wait to serve a new community in Chelsea alongside the community we love so much in Islington, and to bring people together through books across London.

Team BB x

Introducing... BookBar Chelsea 💫💫💫

We've got huge news! After four years of celebrating the social side of reading, BookBar is opening a new shop: BookBar Chelsea.

That's right, we're heading West! BookBar Chelsea will be our flagship event space, as well as serving as a bookshop and social space like our cosy Islington shop. Expect more of the things you love most: books, wine, coffee and a thriving community of avid and aspiring readers with whom to share it. With more space to hang out in, more books to discover, and an action-packed series of events, we're beyond excited to welcome you to our new space at 3B Chelsea Manor Street, SW3.

We're working hard to get the new shop ready for you, and are hoping to open later in the Spring. Watch this space, and, of course, follow us here on Instagram and at our mailing list for regular updates.

We can't wait to serve a new community in Chelsea alongside the community we love so much in Islington, and to bring people together through books across London.

Team BB x

Big news coming soon 👀

Keep an eye on our grid for an announcement on Thursday. Want the news first? Head to our website and sign up to our mailing list 📚🍷☕

Big news coming soon 👀

Keep an eye on our grid for an announcement on Thursday. Want the news first? Head to our website and sign up to our mailing list 📚🍷☕

It's a gorgeous day for it ☀️☕📚🍷

Come hang out at our shopfront seating in the sun, with a delicious @extractcoffee or glass of wine.

Today we're recommending the @womensprize longlisted Good Girl by Aria Aber. A coming-of-age story set in Berlin, about a young woman who has an affair with an older man, a writer. Uncertain about her own future, she becomes emeshed in his bohemian crowd, navigating her grief surrounding her mother's death, and fearing that her new friends will discover that she is the daughter of Afghan refugees. Recommended by the BookBar team, as well as Kaveh Akbar and Raven Leilani, it's available now in hardback.

We're open until 9pm tonight for book recommendations, wine and coffee.

It's a gorgeous day for it ☀️☕📚🍷

Come hang out at our shopfront seating in the sun, with a delicious @extractcoffee or glass of wine.

Today we're recommending the @womensprize longlisted Good Girl by Aria Aber. A coming-of-age story set in Berlin, about a young woman who has an affair with an older man, a writer. Uncertain about her own future, she becomes emeshed in his bohemian crowd, navigating her grief surrounding her mother's death, and fearing that her new friends will discover that she is the daughter of Afghan refugees. Recommended by the BookBar team, as well as Kaveh Akbar and Raven Leilani, it's available now in hardback.

We're open until 9pm tonight for book recommendations, wine and coffee.

Join the Stag Dance 🦌🦌🦌

The new Torrey Peters is out TODAY! The author of Detransition, Baby is back with a collection of four novellas.

Showing Torrey Peters’ incredible range, they include a speculative story set in a near-future gender apocalypse in which individuals must inject themselves with hormones, and a boarding school love story that ends in disaster. Simultaneously dark, gripping and playful, these stories will have you hankering to see what Peters is capable of next.

Limited signed copies available in stock now - come see us until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

Join the Stag Dance 🦌🦌🦌

The new Torrey Peters is out TODAY! The author of Detransition, Baby is back with a collection of four novellas.

Showing Torrey Peters’ incredible range, they include a speculative story set in a near-future gender apocalypse in which individuals must inject themselves with hormones, and a boarding school love story that ends in disaster. Simultaneously dark, gripping and playful, these stories will have you hankering to see what Peters is capable of next.

Limited signed copies available in stock now - come see us until 9pm tonight for 📚🍷☕

Event Announcements 🔔🔔🔔

We are welcoming Sarah Harman to BookBar to talk about her debut novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me. Join us at 7pm on Tuesday 15th April to hear more about the book that is one of Service95, Stylist and i's hottest books of 2025.

Ten years after the grim end of her girl band career, the only good thing Florence has to show for it is her wonderful son Dylan. So when Dylan’s class rival disappears on a school trip, Florence is determined to find him to clear Dylan’s name. All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a brilliantly funny mystery about snobbery, single parenting and fitting in that has all the humour of Katherine Ryan's The Duchess.

And... swipe along to see our Spring line up for the BookBar BookClub, featuring an incredible line up of authors, from the Stella Prize longlisted Dylin Hardcastle to the literary legend that is Colm Toíbín (COLM TOÍBÍN!!!!!).

Head to our website to find out more and book your ticket 📚🍷☕

Event Announcements 🔔🔔🔔

We are welcoming Sarah Harman to BookBar to talk about her debut novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me. Join us at 7pm on Tuesday 15th April to hear more about the book that is one of Service95, Stylist and i's hottest books of 2025.

Ten years after the grim end of her girl band career, the only good thing Florence has to show for it is her wonderful son Dylan. So when Dylan’s class rival disappears on a school trip, Florence is determined to find him to clear Dylan’s name. All The Other Mothers Hate Me is a brilliantly funny mystery about snobbery, single parenting and fitting in that has all the humour of Katherine Ryan's The Duchess.

And... swipe along to see our Spring line up for the BookBar BookClub, featuring an incredible line up of authors, from the Stella Prize longlisted Dylin Hardcastle to the literary legend that is Colm Toíbín (COLM TOÍBÍN!!!!!).

Head to our website to find out more and book your ticket 📚🍷☕

Congratulations to @nussaibahyounis and Fundamentally, our Book of the Month, for being longlisted for the @womensprize for Fiction.

It is a truly superb longlist that includes both this month's Book of the Month and our Book of the Year of 2024, The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden, and many other team favourites.

Following our sold old publication week event last week, it was a huge joy to have Nussaibah in to sign copies of Fundamentally this week. We have a limited number available so get yours while you can. We're open for 📚🍷☕ until 9pm tonight.

Congratulations to @nussaibahyounis and Fundamentally, our Book of the Month, for being longlisted for the @womensprize for Fiction.

It is a truly superb longlist that includes both this month's Book of the Month and our Book of the Year of 2024, The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden, and many other team favourites.

Following our sold old publication week event last week, it was a huge joy to have Nussaibah in to sign copies of Fundamentally this week. We have a limited number available so get yours while you can. We're open for 📚🍷☕ until 9pm tonight.

Happy World Book Day 📚📚📚

We love sharing the social side of reading with you all and to celebrate World Book Day we're offering a free soft drink with any hardback worth £14.99 or over until 6pm 📚☕

Come hang out, get book recs from our expert booksellers and a delicious coffee or other soft drink to enjoy with your new hardback. We're open until 9pm tonight but are offering your free soft drink until 6pm. See you at our Blackstock Road shop!

Happy World Book Day 📚📚📚

We love sharing the social side of reading with you all and to celebrate World Book Day we're offering a free soft drink with any hardback worth £14.99 or over until 6pm 📚☕

Come hang out, get book recs from our expert booksellers and a delicious coffee or other soft drink to enjoy with your new hardback. We're open until 9pm tonight but are offering your free soft drink until 6pm. See you at our Blackstock Road shop!

Sunny coffee and catch-ups at our shop-side seating 📚☕☀️

Spring is (finally) here and so is the brilliant Spring publishing we have been excited about. From superb debut novels to familiar faces, we are bursting we book recs for you to enjoy alongside a coffee, or glass of wine 🍷☕📚

Come and hang out in the sun and ask our team to recommend your perfect Sunday read until 6pm tonight ☀️☀️☀️

Sunny coffee and catch-ups at our shop-side seating 📚☕☀️

Spring is (finally) here and so is the brilliant Spring publishing we have been excited about. From superb debut novels to familiar faces, we are bursting we book recs for you to enjoy alongside a coffee, or glass of wine 🍷☕📚

Come and hang out in the sun and ask our team to recommend your perfect Sunday read until 6pm tonight ☀️☀️☀️

Introducing our March Book of the Month: Fundamentally by @nussaibahyounis 💜🩷

It's rare that a novel can make you laugh aloud in public, satirise and critique the institutions that shape our world and be so empathetic you see something in a whole new light. It's even more rare when this is a debut novel. Fundamentally does all of this.

When Nadia gets a job for the UN in Iraq rehabilitating women who have married members of ISIS, the job isn't what she expected, and nor are the women she is tasked with helping. It's a cynical look at the international aid sector, that is permeated with warmth and humour, and draws on Dr Nussaibah Younis' expertise in the field.

BookClub members enjoy 10% off our book of the month. On sale at BookBar today!

Introducing our March Book of the Month: Fundamentally by @nussaibahyounis 💜🩷

It's rare that a novel can make you laugh aloud in public, satirise and critique the institutions that shape our world and be so empathetic you see something in a whole new light. It's even more rare when this is a debut novel. Fundamentally does all of this.

When Nadia gets a job for the UN in Iraq rehabilitating women who have married members of ISIS, the job isn't what she expected, and nor are the women she is tasked with helping. It's a cynical look at the international aid sector, that is permeated with warmth and humour, and draws on Dr Nussaibah Younis' expertise in the field.

BookClub members enjoy 10% off our book of the month. On sale at BookBar today!

March Events 📚🍷☕

10th March - BookBar is so proud to host Natasha Brown's London publication week event to celebrate her new, anticipated novel Universality. The author of critically acclaimed Assembly will be in conversation with the author of Rainbow Milk, Mendez to discuss her latest novel about a viral longread exposé that raises more questions than it answers. Join us in partnership with @charlottestreet_hotel on 10th March.

24th March - Join us to hear Forward Prize-shortlisted poet Ella Frears in conversation with Sheena Patel, author of I'm A Fan, to discuss Ella's prose poem Goodlord. Written as an email from the woman to her landlord, this original story about sexual politics and the housing crisis is told like no other, in this witty and moving story told in verse.

31st March - Join the BookBar BookClub and enjoy our virtual event with Orlando Whitfield, get a copy of his thrilling memoir of art world fraud, and sign up to an in-person discussion group with other book club members to discuss the book, plus other perks.

Tickets are all live at our website. Head there to grab yours!

March Events 📚🍷☕

10th March - BookBar is so proud to host Natasha Brown's London publication week event to celebrate her new, anticipated novel Universality. The author of critically acclaimed Assembly will be in conversation with the author of Rainbow Milk, Mendez to discuss her latest novel about a viral longread exposé that raises more questions than it answers. Join us in partnership with @charlottestreet_hotel on 10th March.

24th March - Join us to hear Forward Prize-shortlisted poet Ella Frears in conversation with Sheena Patel, author of I'm A Fan, to discuss Ella's prose poem Goodlord. Written as an email from the woman to her landlord, this original story about sexual politics and the housing crisis is told like no other, in this witty and moving story told in verse.

31st March - Join the BookBar BookClub and enjoy our virtual event with Orlando Whitfield, get a copy of his thrilling memoir of art world fraud, and sign up to an in-person discussion group with other book club members to discuss the book, plus other perks.

Tickets are all live at our website. Head there to grab yours!

Happy publication day @nussaibahyounis and Fundamentally. Doesn't she look iconic amongst our purple shelves?!

Academic Nadia takes a job in Iraq rehabilitating ISIS women for the UN. But when she arrives, the world of international aid isn’t what she expected, and nor are the women she is tasked with helping. Nussaibah Younis’ superb satire of such a dark subject makes this a witty, nuanced, intelligent, and empathetic novel that will make you laugh aloud. Daring and compassionate, Fundamentally is unlike anything we've ever read.

Come and grab your copy from BookBar today and be prepared for this funny and empathetic novel.

We can't wait for our sold out event with Nussaibah and @sara.pascoe @century_soho tonight - see you there!

Happy publication day @nussaibahyounis and Fundamentally. Doesn't she look iconic amongst our purple shelves?!

Academic Nadia takes a job in Iraq rehabilitating ISIS women for the UN. But when she arrives, the world of international aid isn’t what she expected, and nor are the women she is tasked with helping. Nussaibah Younis’ superb satire of such a dark subject makes this a witty, nuanced, intelligent, and empathetic novel that will make you laugh aloud. Daring and compassionate, Fundamentally is unlike anything we've ever read.

Come and grab your copy from BookBar today and be prepared for this funny and empathetic novel.

We can't wait for our sold out event with Nussaibah and @sara.pascoe @century_soho tonight - see you there!

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