August in the Bookshop
Hello there!
Thanks to those of you who came along to our author event with Marcia Hutchinson on the 15th July. We sold so many tickets, we had to move the venue from the shop to the church next door! It was a fantastic event, and hopefully we'll have many more for you soon.
The past few weeks gave been sweltering here in the shop, and we've had to remove all the books from the window for fear they'll curl up and fade in the bright sunlight. But don't worry, as soon as the weather cools, they'll be back!
In the meantime, we've got hundreds of titles for you to choose from. Whether it's for a day's reading by the pool or something to make your commute feel less arduous, we're always happy to recommend your next great read!
New in the Shop
Book Club
This month, the author Emma Stonex will be joining us to discuss her novels The Sunshine Man and Lamplighters.
As usual, this will be at 6.30pm on the last Wednesday of the month, which is the 26th August. Entry is free and all are welcome.
What our Staff are Reading
Working in a bookshop means we have a huge choice of books to sample. Right now, our staff are reading:
- Hayley - The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland
- Matilda - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- Gareth - Burning Chrome by William Gibson
Book Recommendation
Phillip Tennent makes his living at the tideline, collecting artefacts that wash up from the Channel. It's been years since the crisis changed everything, but its exact nature remains obscure. Government barely functions, the seas are full of new creatures, Europe has been mislaid. It feels like the end. Now Phillip has fished out of the water an object he can't keep. A creature that keeps changing. An artefact he must take inland, before it destroys everything he thinks he knows. The End of Everything is a slyly satirical and unsettling post-apocalyptic adventure into the limits of human understanding from the peerless master of contemporary fiction.
Longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prise
Tea and Coffee
While you're browsing our shelves, why not treat yourself to tasty hot drink at a very reasonable price? We have a variety of teas and a handmade Italian cappuccino machine, and we can prepare you any of the following to drink in or take away:
Freshly Ground Coffees - £2.50
- Americano
- Latte
- Flat White
- Espresso
Quality Teas - £1.20
- English Breakfast
- English Breakfast Decaf
- Earl Grey
- Chamomile
- Lemongrass and Ginger
- Triple Mint
You can sit at one of our tables with a cup and saucer, or get your drink to go in one of our recyclable paper cups.
Book Recommendation
This is one of those books that people either love or hate. It follows the fortunes of seven generations of the Buendía family, starting in the 19th Century with the wedding of cousins José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán, who found a small town in the mountains of Columbia. Over the next century, this little settlement witnesses miracles, magic, and heartbreak as each generation repeats the mistakes of their forebears. While it can be difficult to keep track of who's who – especially as many of the characters have identical or similar names – this stands as a classic of Spanish language literature, and a high point of magical realism.
Social Media
You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Just search for @hartmannsbooks.
Book Tokens
Book tokens make the perfect gift for any age. We offer vouchers specifically for our shop, as well as National Book Tokens that can be spent anywhere, and you can choose any amount that suits your needs, from £1 to £250. Just ask at the till for details.
And that's it for now. We'll be in touch again next month. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you in the shop, where you're always guaranteed a warm welcome!
Read on!
Hayley & team
Hartmanns Books
28-30 High Street
Portishead
BS20 6EN
07949 480856
PS: If you've enjoyed this newsletter, please help spread the word to your friends in Portishead and beyond, and encourage them to sign-up at our website: https://www.hartmanns-books.co.uk/
