News & What's On
The Wild Readers of Chiswersmith:
Creative Writing Workshop for Kids 7-12:
Myths and Legends
Step into a world of mythology, legends and magical powers in this creative writing workshop! We’ll explore some famous myths and legends throughout literary history. Each young writer will invent their own new god, hero, monster or legend and write their very own myth to take home. Perfect for imaginative children who love stories, adventure and creating their own worlds.
This workshop is designed for ages 7-12.
For beginners and confident writers alike, no experience needed.
Mariah’s creative writing workshops have sold out across London bookshops, including The Alligator’s Mouth, and are loved for their warm approach to helping children grow in confidence as writers.
Date: Tuesday, 28th July
Time: 4.30-5.30pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Tickets: £15.50, available through Mariah's website (link below)
Book Group: Ideas for Life
This group meets monthly to discuss a non-fiction title. Just buy the book at Everybody Reads (at 10% off) and register for the discussion at time of purchase. Feel free to bring refreshments on the night; we can provide glasses.
July Title:
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel van der Kolk
A fascinating look at what happens to our bodies in overwhelming circumstances. A must-read to understand what trauma is and isn’t, and what powers our resilience.
Date: Tuesday, 21st July
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Book Group:
Everybody Reads Historical Fiction
This group meets every month to discuss a historical fiction title. Just buy the book at Everybody Reads (at 10% off) and register for the discussion at time of purchase. Feel free to bring refreshments on the night; we can provide glasses.
July Title:
My Name is Emilia del Valle
by Isabel Allende
Abandoned at birth by her Chilean aristocrat father, Emilia comes of age in nineteenth-century San Francisco as an independent and fiercely ambitious young woman, decades ahead of her time.
When Emilia lands a position as a journalist for the Daily Examiner, her unwavering sense of adventure and determination to succeed lead her to seize the chance to cover a brewing civil war in Chile alongside another talented reporter. But the assignment offers Emilia more than just an opportunity to prove herself as a writer. Before long she embarks on a treacherous, life-changing journey in a homeland she never knew, to uncover the truth about her father – and herself.
Date: Monday, 27th July
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Book Group: Everybody Reads Fiction
This group meets monthly to discuss a new fiction title in paperback. Just buy the book at Everybody Reads (at 10% off) and register for the discussion at time of purchase. Feel free to bring refreshments on the night; we can provide glasses.
August Title:
Once There Were Wolves
by Charlotte McConaghy
Inti Flynn arrives in the Scottish Highlands with fourteen grey wolves, a traumatised sister and fierce tenacity to rewild the ruined landscape. But violence dogs their footsteps and one night Inti stumbles over the body of a farmer. Unable to accept that her wolves could be responsible, she makes a reckless decision to protect them. But if the wolves didn't make the kill, then who did?
Date: Tuesday, 4th August
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Book Group: Everybody Reads History
Our history book group is taking a summer holiday! Register now for September meet-up.
This group meets every other month to discuss a history title. Just buy the book at Everybody Reads (at 10% off) and register for the discussion at time of purchase. Feel free to bring refreshments on the night; we can provide glasses.
September Title:
The Eagle and the Hart
by Helen Castor
Henry had all the qualities Richard lacked, all the qualities a sovereign needed, bar one: birth right. Increasingly threatened by his charismatic cousin, Richard became consumed by the need for total power, in a time of constant conflict, rebellions and reprisals. When he banished Henry into exile, the stage was set for a final confrontation, as the hart became the tyrant and the eagle his usurper.
Helen Castor tells this story of one of the strangest and most fateful relationships in English history. It is a story about power, and masculinity in crisis, and a nation brought to the brink of catastrophe. At its heart, it is the story of two men whose lives were played out in extraordinary parallel, to devastating effect.
Date: Monday, 14 September
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Book Group: Everybody Reads Novellas
This group meets monthly to discuss short works of fiction. Just buy the book at Everybody Reads (at 10% off) and register for the discussion at time of purchase. Feel free to bring refreshments on the night; we can provide glasses.
August Title:
A Short Stay in Hell
by Steven L Peck
A man is cast by an unfamiliar God into a vast, incomprehensible Hell - a labyrinth library of books containing the stories of every life ever lived. His only way out is to find the single book that tells his own story. But along the seemingly infinite shelves lies every possible combination of letters.
Trapped within this maze of meaninglessness, the absurdity of existence becomes impossible to ignore.
100 pages
Date: Tuesday, 11th August
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Children's Group: StoryTime!
For children over 2 (and their grown-ups)
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Join us as we read 3 picture books we love. 10% off any of the books we read on the day.
Date: Saturdays, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th July
Time: 10.30-11.00am
Place: Downstairs at Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE
Register: no pre-booking required, just turn up!
Children's Group: BabyTime!
For children under 2 (and their grown-ups)
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It's never too early to read to your baby! This group is an opportunity for our youngest readers (and their parents!) to meet, socialise and enjoy age-appropriate board books together. 10% off recommended board books from our BabyTime! basket on the day.
Date: Wednesdays, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th July
Time: 10.30-11.00am
Place: Downstairs at Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE
Register: no pre-booking required, just turn up!
Daytime Group for Adults: Shared Reading
At Shared Reading a short story or poem is read aloud in a group. People can just listen, or join in and talk with others about their responses to the piece. The sessions are led by the lovely Asya, trained by the charity The Reader. This is a great way to enjoy something thought-provoking together with others.
Dates: 4th and 18th June; 2nd and 16th July
Time: 11am-12pm
Place: Downstairs at Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE
Register: limited places, register in advance either in-person or by telephone.
Keep Sharing your Book Recommendations
and Win Free Books!
On the last day of every month we draw the winner of our monthly draw to win £20 in free books at Everybody Reads.
Congratulations to our June 2026 winner: Ben!
If £20 in free books sounds good to you, there are two ways to enter the July draw:
1) Become a Wild Reader. If we happen spot you reading in Chiswick or Hammersmith in July, just talk to us about your book! You will not only become one of the 'Wild Readers of Chiswersmith' featured across the top of this page but you will be entered into the prize draw! .
2)Review a book for us. Submit a short review of a book you recommend here. If we like your review, and think our customers will enjoy reading the book, we will add it to our shelves and display your review next to it. Anyone who submits a review in July is eligible for the July prize draw.
Good luck!