News & What's On
The Wild Readers of Chiswersmith:
Adult Writing Workshop: Authenticity
Join Mariah Mannae on 10th June at 7pm for an adult creative writing workshop on authenticity, perfectionism, memory, and creative freedom.
Through guided prompts, reflective exercises, music and artistic discussion, you will explore what it means to write honestly and authentically, without pressure or needing to “get it right.”
No writing experience needed. Just bring something to write with and a willingness to explore.
Mariah Mannae is a writer, producer and director working across film, television and literature. In 2021, she was selected as one of only sixteen writers globally for the prestigious Curtis Brown Creative novel writing programme before receiving the Dennis Diderot Grant and a writing residency at Château d'Orquevaux in France, where she collaborated with international artists across disciplines. She produced the award-winning film Love, Tea & Epiphany and has written and produced for REACH TV, North America’s largest airport television network. Her original short film is currently in pre-production to be directed in Cornwall next year, alongside her work as a director with the British Theatre Academy. Mariah also hosts conversations with emerging writers and artists exploring creativity, voice and the creative process. Her workshops focus on authenticity, storytelling and sustainable creative practice for writers and artists.
Date: Wednesday, 10th June
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Tickets: £15.50 available through Mariah's website
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.
June Title:
Things in Nature Merely Grow
by Yiyun Li
Just awarded the Pulitzer prize for memoir, this extraordinary book bears witness to the loss of Li’s two sons. Written with astounding dignity, it’s a beautiful, important read.
Date: Tuesday, 16th June
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.
June Title:
Burial Rites
by Hannah Kent
A haunting work of historical fiction, following the final days of a young woman accused of murdering her lover in 19th century Iceland.
"Outstanding!" - Madeline Miller
"Gripping, intriguing and unique" - Kate Moss
"One of the best Scandinavian crime novels I've read" - The Independent
Date: Monday, 22nd June
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.
July Title:
Helm
by Sarah Hall
Helm is a ferocious, mischievous wind - a subject of folklore and wonder - who has blasted the sublime landscape of the Eden Valley since the very dawn of time. This is Helm's life story, formed from the chronicles of those the wind enchanted: the Neolithic tribe who tried to placate it, the Dark Age wizard priest who wanted to banish it, the Victorian steam engineer who attempted to capture it - and the farmer's daughter who fell in love.
Date: Tuesday, 7th July
Time: 7 - 8pm
Place: Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE, with purchase of featured title
Register: At time of book purchase
Book Group: Everybody Reads History
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.
June Title:
King Leopold's Ghost
by Adam Hochschild
Winner of the Duff Cooper Prize, Adam Hochschild's King Leopold’s Ghost is the true and haunting account of Leopold's brutal regime and its lasting effect on a ruined nation.
In the late nineteenth century, when the great powers in Europe were tearing Africa apart and seizing ownership of land for themselves, King Leopold of Belgium took hold of the vast and mostly unexplored territory surrounding the Congo River. In his devastatingly barbarous colonization of this area, Leopold stole its rubber and ivory, pummelled its people and set up a ruthless regime that would reduce the population by half. While he did all this, he carefully constructed an image of himself as a deeply feeling humanitarian.
King Leopold's Ghost is the inspiring and deeply moving account of a handful of missionaries and other idealists who travelled to Africa and unwittingly found themselves in the middle of a gruesome holocaust. Instead of turning away, these brave few chose to stand up against Leopold.
Date: Monday, 15th June
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.
July Title
Lolly Willowes
by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Lolly Willowes, so gentle and accommodating, has depths no one suspects. When she suddenly announces that she is leaving London and moving, alone, to the depths of the countryside, her overbearing relatives are horrified. But Lolly has a greater, far darker calling than family: witchcraft.
161 pages
Date: Tuesday, 14th July
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, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th June
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, 3rd, 17th and 24th June. Note: 10th June session CANCELLED
Time: 10.30-11.00am
Place: Downstairs at Everybody Reads
Fee: FREE
Register: no pre-booking required, just turn up!
Daytime Group: 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 May 2026 winner: Sandra!
If £20 in free books sounds good to you, there are two ways to enter the June draw:
1) Become a Wild Reader. If we happen spot you reading in Chiswick or Hammersmith in June, 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 June is eligible for the June prize draw.
Good luck!