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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 at 166 Blackstock Road, London, join us for one of our in person events, browse and order books online or join our BookClub.

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Buy a copy of our Book of the Month* and get a glass of our Wine of the Month for £5

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

*for collection only

Order your copy now

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Browse our full list of recommendations

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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.

Spring is that you? 🌷��💐

If you missed our February Reading List sent out to our mailing list subscribers, don't miss the next one and head to our website to sign up to get all of our book recs, event news and more.

Pop in to see us at our (currently) sun-kissed bookshop at 166 Blackstock Road and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine while you relax amongst our shelves. We're open until 6pm tonight and until 9pm Wed-Sat.

Spring is that you? 🌷💐

If you missed our February Reading List sent out to our mailing list subscribers, don't miss the next one and head to our website to sign up to get all of our book recs, event news and more.

Pop in to see us at our (currently) sun-kissed bookshop at 166 Blackstock Road and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine while you relax amongst our shelves. We're open until 6pm tonight and until 9pm Wed-Sat.

ICYMI: Natasha Brown in conversation with Mendez @charlottestreet_hotel

Following the smash hit success of Natasha's superb debut novel Assembly, we can't wait to hear all about her latest Universality - one of this season's most anticipated novels.

Come join us on Monday 10th March from 7pm to hear from Natasha in conversation with the author of Rainbow Milk at the gorgeous Charlotte Street Hotel.

Tickets on sale now!

ICYMI: Natasha Brown in conversation with Mendez @charlottestreet_hotel

Following the smash hit success of Natasha's superb debut novel Assembly, we can't wait to hear all about her latest Universality - one of this season's most anticipated novels.

Come join us on Monday 10th March from 7pm to hear from Natasha in conversation with the author of Rainbow Milk at the gorgeous Charlotte Street Hotel.

Tickets on sale now!

Sunday Book Rec 📚

The whole team has become totally obsessed with Tony Tulathimutte's interconnected short story collection, Rejection, which is nothing short of depraved, and will make you want to take a pass on dating, the internet and society, all whilst laughing aloud.

Our bookselling barista Chandler says: 'Rejection is an intimately linked collection of short stories bursting at the seams with debauchery, depravity and disgust, all intelligently analysing themes of rejection. You will be howling laughing, mouth agape from shock. Like eating the entire tub of ice cream in one go, finishing this book will make you feel completely indulged with a prominent sugar high.'

We promise you'll be cringing, laughing, and unable to stop talking about this daring book.

'Tulathimutte is a pervert and a madman and a stone-cold genius.' - Carmen Maria Machado

We're open until 6pm tonight for books, wine and coffee so come get your copy 📚🍷🚘

Sunday Book Rec 📚

The whole team has become totally obsessed with Tony Tulathimutte's interconnected short story collection, Rejection, which is nothing short of depraved, and will make you want to take a pass on dating, the internet and society, all whilst laughing aloud.

Our bookselling barista Chandler says: 'Rejection is an intimately linked collection of short stories bursting at the seams with debauchery, depravity and disgust, all intelligently analysing themes of rejection. You will be howling laughing, mouth agape from shock. Like eating the entire tub of ice cream in one go, finishing this book will make you feel completely indulged with a prominent sugar high.'

We promise you'll be cringing, laughing, and unable to stop talking about this daring book.

'Tulathimutte is a pervert and a madman and a stone-cold genius.' - Carmen Maria Machado

We're open until 6pm tonight for books, wine and coffee so come get your copy 📚🍷🚘

New in paperback and total perfection 😘

From Andrew O'Hagan's satire of class and the media in Islington to a brilliant new work of fiction about millennial ennui in Perfection, Coco Mellor's latest (and signed!) and our very own former bookseller Francesca Reece's brilliant novel Glass Houses, plus plenty more to enjoy.

We're open until 9pm for books, booze, beans, and browsing 📚🍷☕

New in paperback and total perfection 😘

From Andrew O'Hagan's satire of class and the media in Islington to a brilliant new work of fiction about millennial ennui in Perfection, Coco Mellor's latest (and signed!) and our very own former bookseller Francesca Reece's brilliant novel Glass Houses, plus plenty more to enjoy.

We're open until 9pm for books, booze, beans, and browsing 📚🍷☕

Thank you @cocomellors for brightening up a rainy Monday afternoon with a visit to sign your brilliant books!

Signed copies of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra and Frankenstein in stock now (while they last!) 📚📚📚

We're open until 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday) and 9pm Wed-Sat - order at our website for collection or postage, or pop in this week to grab yours.

Thank you @cocomellors for brightening up a rainy Monday afternoon with a visit to sign your brilliant books!

Signed copies of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra and Frankenstein in stock now (while they last!) 📚📚📚

We're open until 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday) and 9pm Wed-Sat - order at our website for collection or postage, or pop in this week to grab yours.

This week we are reccing our Book of the Month Love In Exile by @shon.faye which is not only SIGNED but comes with the gorgeous tote bag while stocks last.

We love Shon's confronting and compassionate writing, which made her superb The Transgender Issue such a seminal work. Here she turns her attention to love, and explores love's relationship to capitalism, social mechanisms and expectations, but blends this sharp cultural criticism with beautifully honest memoir, drawing on philosophy, cultural theory and her own experiences to explore love in all its forms.

Come and see us until 9pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday to pick up your signed copy and tote while stocks last, or head to our website to secure yours!

This week we are reccing our Book of the Month Love In Exile by @shon.faye which is not only SIGNED but comes with the gorgeous tote bag while stocks last.

We love Shon's confronting and compassionate writing, which made her superb The Transgender Issue such a seminal work. Here she turns her attention to love, and explores love's relationship to capitalism, social mechanisms and expectations, but blends this sharp cultural criticism with beautifully honest memoir, drawing on philosophy, cultural theory and her own experiences to explore love in all its forms.

Come and see us until 9pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday to pick up your signed copy and tote while stocks last, or head to our website to secure yours!

Our Book of the Month is Love in Exile by Shon Faye 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

And what a treat to have a visit from Shon herself to sign books, and share book recs (more to come on that front!).

Love In Exile confirms @shon.faye as one of her generation's greatest thinkers. Up with bel hooks and Sophie K. Rosa, she explores the way that our experience of love - in all its forms - is shaped by the political systems that make us and our society. It's written with Shon's intellectual rigour, concision, precision, alongside humour, empathy and eloquence that is both confronting and consoling.

BookClub members get 10% off Love In Exile this month and we have signed copies in stock - while they last!

Our Book of the Month is Love in Exile by Shon Faye 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

And what a treat to have a visit from Shon herself to sign books, and share book recs (more to come on that front!).

Love In Exile confirms @shon.faye as one of her generation's greatest thinkers. Up with bel hooks and Sophie K. Rosa, she explores the way that our experience of love - in all its forms - is shaped by the political systems that make us and our society. It's written with Shon's intellectual rigour, concision, precision, alongside humour, empathy and eloquence that is both confronting and consoling.

BookClub members get 10% off Love In Exile this month and we have signed copies in stock - while they last!

We have news to brighten up a dreary January Friday: Blue Sisters is out in paperback and is available now at BookBar 💙💙💙

@cocomellors second novel is a moving story about sisterhood, grief, love and family.

Come grab your copy, and curl up with a coffee or hot choc this weekend. We're open until 9pm tonight and tomorrow and until 6 on Sunday.

We have news to brighten up a dreary January Friday: Blue Sisters is out in paperback and is available now at BookBar 💙💙💙

@cocomellors second novel is a moving story about sisterhood, grief, love and family.

Come grab your copy, and curl up with a coffee or hot choc this weekend. We're open until 9pm tonight and tomorrow and until 6 on Sunday.

BookBar Presents... Natasha Brown in conversation with Mendez

We're excited to be hosting 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 author of Rainbow Milk, Mendez, on Monday 10th March at Charlotte Street Hotel.

Universality is a tricksy novel that raises questions around truth, class, power and storytelling that will please readers who loved the structural playfulness of Hernan Diaz’s Trust, and Eliza Clark’s Penance. Natasha's first novel, Assembly, was shortlisted for no fewer than six major awards, from the Goldsmiths Prize to the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, and is a BookBar favourite, and this latest novel confirms the power and precision of her writing.

Join us at 7pm at Charlotte Street Hotel on Monday 10th March.

Tickets include a copy of Universality by Natasha Brown (RRP £14.99), which will be available for collection at the event.

Want to make a night of it? You can also book a two course meal with a glass of wine or soft drink following the event at Charlotte Street Hotel's gorgeous Oscar Restaurant.

BookBar Presents... Natasha Brown in conversation with Mendez

We're excited to be hosting 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 author of Rainbow Milk, Mendez, on Monday 10th March at Charlotte Street Hotel.

Universality is a tricksy novel that raises questions around truth, class, power and storytelling that will please readers who loved the structural playfulness of Hernan Diaz’s Trust, and Eliza Clark’s Penance. Natasha's first novel, Assembly, was shortlisted for no fewer than six major awards, from the Goldsmiths Prize to the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, and is a BookBar favourite, and this latest novel confirms the power and precision of her writing.

Join us at 7pm at Charlotte Street Hotel on Monday 10th March.

Tickets include a copy of Universality by Natasha Brown (RRP £14.99), which will be available for collection at the event.

Want to make a night of it? You can also book a two course meal with a glass of wine or soft drink following the event at Charlotte Street Hotel's gorgeous Oscar Restaurant.

She's here! Copies of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros are now in stock!

We're open until 6pm today so grab them while they're hot, or visit us from 10am-9pm Wed-Sat or 11-6pm on Sunday.

She's here! Copies of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros are now in stock!

We're open until 6pm today so grab them while they're hot, or visit us from 10am-9pm Wed-Sat or 11-6pm on Sunday.

BookBar's first event of 2025 is live!!!

Join us for an evening with Nussaibah Younis in conversation with Sara Pascoe

We're hosting an exclusive publication day event with Nussaibah Younis in conversation with comedian, podcaster and author Sara Pascoe on 25th January at The Century Club, Piccadilly to discuss Nussaibah's debut novel Fundamentally.

Fundamentally is the most original debut novel we've read this year, and has already garnered fans in Dolly Alderton, Nicola Dinan and Salma El-Wardany.

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 within such a dark subject makes this a witty, nuanced, intelligent, and empathetic novel that will make you laugh aloud. Daring and compassionate, Fundamentally is a novel unlike anything you’ve ever read, and we are so excited to be celebrating publication day with Nussaibah in conversation with Sara Pascoe.

Join us at 7pm at The Century Club, Piccadilly on Tuesday 25th February 2025.

Tickets include a copy of Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis, which will be available for collection at the event on publication day. Head to our website to grab your ticket now.

BookBar's first event of 2025 is live!!!

Join us for an evening with Nussaibah Younis in conversation with Sara Pascoe

We're hosting an exclusive publication day event with Nussaibah Younis in conversation with comedian, podcaster and author Sara Pascoe on 25th January at The Century Club, Piccadilly to discuss Nussaibah's debut novel Fundamentally.

Fundamentally is the most original debut novel we've read this year, and has already garnered fans in Dolly Alderton, Nicola Dinan and Salma El-Wardany.

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 within such a dark subject makes this a witty, nuanced, intelligent, and empathetic novel that will make you laugh aloud. Daring and compassionate, Fundamentally is a novel unlike anything you’ve ever read, and we are so excited to be celebrating publication day with Nussaibah in conversation with Sara Pascoe.

Join us at 7pm at The Century Club, Piccadilly on Tuesday 25th February 2025.

Tickets include a copy of Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis, which will be available for collection at the event on publication day. Head to our website to grab your ticket now.

Looking to join a book club?

Whether you want to read more or more regularly, want the stress taken out of choosing a new book to read or want to meet other book lovers, the BookBar BookClub is for you.

📚Receive a new paperback book every month (sometimes a whole month earlier than publication day)
🎧 Listen to a virtual interview with the author (and ask them your burning questions)
🍷 Then meet up with other BookClub members to discuss the book over a glass of wine or soft drink.
🎁Receive all this and heaps of other perks, including the a three month @mubi subscription for free, and 10% off our hardback Book of the Month every month, plus other perks throughout the year.

Check out our recent and upcoming reads in the pic above.

Membership is just £15 a month - head to our website to sign up.

Looking to join a book club?

Whether you want to read more or more regularly, want the stress taken out of choosing a new book to read or want to meet other book lovers, the BookBar BookClub is for you.

📚Receive a new paperback book every month (sometimes a whole month earlier than publication day)
🎧 Listen to a virtual interview with the author (and ask them your burning questions)
🍷 Then meet up with other BookClub members to discuss the book over a glass of wine or soft drink.
🎁Receive all this and heaps of other perks, including the a three month @mubi subscription for free, and 10% off our hardback Book of the Month every month, plus other perks throughout the year.

Check out our recent and upcoming reads in the pic above.

Membership is just £15 a month - head to our website to sign up.

Happy Friday! This is your sign to hang out with a friend and a glass of wine in a bookshop 📚🍷

Get books, coffee, drinks and the best book recs from our bookish team until 9pm today, Saturday and until 6pm Sunday ☕🍷📚

Happy Friday! This is your sign to hang out with a friend and a glass of wine in a bookshop 📚🍷

Get books, coffee, drinks and the best book recs from our bookish team until 9pm today, Saturday and until 6pm Sunday ☕🍷📚

Signed copies of Disappoint Me now in stock!

They are flying off the shelves so pop in or order your copy online while they last. Don't forget you can grab a delicious glass of @topcuvee Good Day Pet Nat for just £7 when you buy a copy of Disappoint Me from BookBar. Available to pick up or receive by mail now.

Thank you to Nicola Dinan for coming in to sign on a beautiful January day!

Signed copies of Disappoint Me now in stock!

They are flying off the shelves so pop in or order your copy online while they last. Don't forget you can grab a delicious glass of @topcuvee Good Day Pet Nat for just £7 when you buy a copy of Disappoint Me from BookBar. Available to pick up or receive by mail now.

Thank you to Nicola Dinan for coming in to sign on a beautiful January day!

BookBar Spring Reading (Part One) 📚

From brilliant political satire, to ghost stories, to romance to rival Taylor Jenkins Reid, and the return of some of our favourite writers, 2025 promises to be a good year for reading.

Scroll for part one of our recs - all of which are ready to pre-order on our website now. Can't wait for your next read? Come into the shop today and get a recommendation from our team. We're open until 9pm tonight and until 6pm on Sunday.

BookBar Spring Reading (Part One) 📚

From brilliant political satire, to ghost stories, to romance to rival Taylor Jenkins Reid, and the return of some of our favourite writers, 2025 promises to be a good year for reading.

Scroll for part one of our recs - all of which are ready to pre-order on our website now. Can't wait for your next read? Come into the shop today and get a recommendation from our team. We're open until 9pm tonight and until 6pm on Sunday.

JANUARY'S BOOK AND WINE OF THE MONTH ARE HERE 🍷📚

📚 January's Book of the Month is the brilliant Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan. When corporate lawyer Max meets Vincent, she hopes to put her years of dysfunctional relationships and dysphoria behind her. His heteronormative friends and conservative family might not be her usual crowd, but she’s determined to embrace this new relationship. But one night in Vincent’s past may threaten their happiness. Just like Bellies, Disappoint Me is full of the rich and addictive storytelling that makes Dinan one of our favourite authors.

🍷 We're pairing Disappoint Me with the delicious Good Day from @topcuvee - an English pet nat made in Sussex by Ben Walgate of Tillingham winery fame. It's a blend of pinot noir, rondo, phoenix, seyval that is the perfect drop for convival drinking. As fun as Disappoint Me's main character, it's got that lovely pet nat fizz alongside a bit of fruit that makes it the perfect sparkle for a crisp January day.

Grab a glass of our Wine of the Month in store for just £7 when you buy a copy of Disappoint Me at BookBar (available from BookBar now!).

📗 We also have exclusive early copies of our January BookClub pick, Martyr by Kaveh Akbar ready for collection from BookBar. Sign up to our BookClub to get your copy now before paperback publication on 10th February!

JANUARY'S BOOK AND WINE OF THE MONTH ARE HERE 🍷📚

📚 January's Book of the Month is the brilliant Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan. When corporate lawyer Max meets Vincent, she hopes to put her years of dysfunctional relationships and dysphoria behind her. His heteronormative friends and conservative family might not be her usual crowd, but she’s determined to embrace this new relationship. But one night in Vincent’s past may threaten their happiness. Just like Bellies, Disappoint Me is full of the rich and addictive storytelling that makes Dinan one of our favourite authors.

🍷 We're pairing Disappoint Me with the delicious Good Day from @topcuvee - an English pet nat made in Sussex by Ben Walgate of Tillingham winery fame. It's a blend of pinot noir, rondo, phoenix, seyval that is the perfect drop for convival drinking. As fun as Disappoint Me's main character, it's got that lovely pet nat fizz alongside a bit of fruit that makes it the perfect sparkle for a crisp January day.

Grab a glass of our Wine of the Month in store for just £7 when you buy a copy of Disappoint Me at BookBar (available from BookBar now!).

📗 We also have exclusive early copies of our January BookClub pick, Martyr by Kaveh Akbar ready for collection from BookBar. Sign up to our BookClub to get your copy now before paperback publication on 10th February!

Signed copies of My Friends by Hisham Matar in-stock now!

We had the most special evening in conversation with Hisham Matar. We had Hisham into the shop to record this month's BookBar BookClub interview, and had a wonderful conversation about friendship, exile, belonging, literature, art and writing. What a joy to welcome such a generous writer to BookBar, especially given what enormous fans we are of his work, including his stunning Orwell Prize-winning, Booker-longlisted novel, My Friends.

Come and pick up your signed copy, or order online now, while stocks last!

Want to find out more about the BookBar BookClub? Head to our website to find out!

Signed copies of My Friends by Hisham Matar in-stock now!

We had the most special evening in conversation with Hisham Matar. We had Hisham into the shop to record this month's BookBar BookClub interview, and had a wonderful conversation about friendship, exile, belonging, literature, art and writing. What a joy to welcome such a generous writer to BookBar, especially given what enormous fans we are of his work, including his stunning Orwell Prize-winning, Booker-longlisted novel, My Friends.

Come and pick up your signed copy, or order online now, while stocks last!

Want to find out more about the BookBar BookClub? Head to our website to find out!

Happy New Year!

The sun is shining and we are OPEN! Ready for another year of bringing people together through books - and wine and coffee too.

Come join us for 📚🍷☕ - we're back to our usual opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Tuesday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm, closed on Mondays. Hang out with a drink amongst our shelves, browse the books, or ask our team for recommendations.

Happy New Year!

The sun is shining and we are OPEN! Ready for another year of bringing people together through books - and wine and coffee too.

Come join us for 📚🍷☕ - we're back to our usual opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Tuesday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm, closed on Mondays. Hang out with a drink amongst our shelves, browse the books, or ask our team for recommendations.

*Applications now closed*

In case you missed it...

We are looking for a new Manager of our buzzy, social bookshop/coffee and wine bar. Come join our friendly team of book-lovers.

Since the Christmas period is flying by, we've extended the application deadline to the end of 4th January so head to our website (bookbaruk.com/jobs) to read more about the role and to apply before then.

*Applications now closed*

In case you missed it...

We are looking for a new Manager of our buzzy, social bookshop/coffee and wine bar. Come join our friendly team of book-lovers.

Since the Christmas period is flying by, we've extended the application deadline to the end of 4th January so head to our website (bookbaruk.com/jobs) to read more about the role and to apply before then.

Happy Christmas from Team BB 🩷💜💚

We're now closed to enjoy the festive break until Friday January 3rd 2025.

Thank you all for another incredible festive season, and a brilliant year of bookselling and community-building. We are so lucky to be able to share the social side of reading with our amazing community of book, wine and coffee lovers.

If you didn't make it into the shop this month, or have some last minute gift shopping to do for a book-lover in your life, you can purchase a bookish gift online:

📚 BookBar BookClub Membership - receive a book, a virtual conversation with the author and a members meet up each month, plus other perks.

📖 Shelf Medicate Subscription - Enjoy a consultation over a glass of wine or coffee with one of our booksellers and receive a bespoke book recommendation every month.

🎁 BookBar Gift Voucher - purchase a voucher for your loved one to spend on books, wine or coffee in store or online.

Have a very happy Christmas x

Happy Christmas from Team BB 🩷💜💚

We're now closed to enjoy the festive break until Friday January 3rd 2025.

Thank you all for another incredible festive season, and a brilliant year of bookselling and community-building. We are so lucky to be able to share the social side of reading with our amazing community of book, wine and coffee lovers.

If you didn't make it into the shop this month, or have some last minute gift shopping to do for a book-lover in your life, you can purchase a bookish gift online:

📚 BookBar BookClub Membership - receive a book, a virtual conversation with the author and a members meet up each month, plus other perks.

📖 Shelf Medicate Subscription - Enjoy a consultation over a glass of wine or coffee with one of our booksellers and receive a bespoke book recommendation every month.

🎁 BookBar Gift Voucher - purchase a voucher for your loved one to spend on books, wine or coffee in store or online.

Have a very happy Christmas x

BookBar Booksellers' Books of the Year (Part Two) 📚

💜 Lucy's favourite from this year was James by Percival Everett - This retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the Booker-shortlisted author of The Trees and Erasure flips the 'great American novel' on its head, in a tender story that centres the formerly enslaved James.

🩷 Polly is a hug Ali Smith fan and loved her latest, Gliff. With a nod to the traditions of dystopian fiction, Gliff tells the story of two children fending for themselves in a hostile world, not dissimilar to ours. Ali Smith's writing, as always, is playful, rallying and completely original.

💚 Lara is our in house poetry expert, whose favourite book this year was Charlptte Shevchenko Knight's Food For The Dead. They were stunned by Charlotte Shevchenko Knight’s debut poetry collection, in which she examines Ukrainian history and her family’s heritage with such boldness and tenderness.

Come and see us until 9pm tonight and until 6pm Sunday and Monday and 3pm Christmas Eve for more recommendations!

BookBar Booksellers' Books of the Year (Part Two) 📚

💜 Lucy's favourite from this year was James by Percival Everett - This retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the Booker-shortlisted author of The Trees and Erasure flips the 'great American novel' on its head, in a tender story that centres the formerly enslaved James.

🩷 Polly is a hug Ali Smith fan and loved her latest, Gliff. With a nod to the traditions of dystopian fiction, Gliff tells the story of two children fending for themselves in a hostile world, not dissimilar to ours. Ali Smith's writing, as always, is playful, rallying and completely original.

💚 Lara is our in house poetry expert, whose favourite book this year was Charlptte Shevchenko Knight's Food For The Dead. They were stunned by Charlotte Shevchenko Knight’s debut poetry collection, in which she examines Ukrainian history and her family’s heritage with such boldness and tenderness.

Come and see us until 9pm tonight and until 6pm Sunday and Monday and 3pm Christmas Eve for more recommendations!

The dreamiest festive vibes at BookBar 🍷🎁📚

The dreamiest festive vibes at BookBar 🍷🎁📚

BookBar team's Books of the Year (Part One) 📚

First up, Amy, Esme and Chandler with their selections:

💚 Amy recommends When The World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson - Set in the California wine country, this beautifully whimsical novel is filled with family curses, love stories within love stories, souffles, and talking dogs. It is atmospheric and filled with magic.

🩷 Esme loved Godwin by Joseph O'Neill - I literally haven’t stopped thinking about Godwin by Joseph O’Neill since I put it down: a wild, unpredictable ride across continents, a soccer-inflected family saga, and a workplace drama with a whip-smart twist…A novel of two halves, two protagonists, and two (perfectly connected) plots, with an ending I promise you won’t be able to forget!

💜 Chandler's favourite was Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar - Political, queer fiction about belonging, identity and the poetry of life. Funny with so much heart, Martyr! is also our January BookBar BookClub selection.

All available in store and at our website (for collection before Christmas or postage to arrive after Christmas) now!

BookBar team's Books of the Year (Part One) 📚

First up, Amy, Esme and Chandler with their selections:

💚 Amy recommends When The World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson - Set in the California wine country, this beautifully whimsical novel is filled with family curses, love stories within love stories, souffles, and talking dogs. It is atmospheric and filled with magic.

🩷 Esme loved Godwin by Joseph O'Neill - I literally haven’t stopped thinking about Godwin by Joseph O’Neill since I put it down: a wild, unpredictable ride across continents, a soccer-inflected family saga, and a workplace drama with a whip-smart twist…A novel of two halves, two protagonists, and two (perfectly connected) plots, with an ending I promise you won’t be able to forget!

💜 Chandler's favourite was Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar - Political, queer fiction about belonging, identity and the poetry of life. Funny with so much heart, Martyr! is also our January BookBar BookClub selection.

All available in store and at our website (for collection before Christmas or postage to arrive after Christmas) now!

Great stack 📚🎁

It's just one week until Christmas Eve so still time to come and gather your own stack like this with the help of our bookish elves. We're open every day between now and Christmas with the following opening times:

Wednesday 18th Dec: 10am-9pm
Thursday 19th Dec: 10am-9pm
Friday 20th Dec: 10am-9pm
Saturday 21st Dec: 10am-9pm
Sunday 22nd Dec: 11am-6pm
Monday 23rd Dec: 10am-6pm
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24th Dec): 10am-3pm
Then we are CLOSED to give the whole team a break between Christmas Day (25th Dec), reopening on Friday 3rd January.

Until then, we'll be serving bespoke book recs for you and all your loved ones, delicious @extractcoffee and wine (including the more-ish @topcuvee mulled wine) 📚🍷☕ Come browse, get recs from our team and chill with a drink while we create the perfect book stacks like the one above for you and your loved ones. We'll even wrap them all for you free of charge while you chill with a glass of wine. It's the only way to Christmas shop!

Great stack 📚🎁

It's just one week until Christmas Eve so still time to come and gather your own stack like this with the help of our bookish elves. We're open every day between now and Christmas with the following opening times:

Wednesday 18th Dec: 10am-9pm
Thursday 19th Dec: 10am-9pm
Friday 20th Dec: 10am-9pm
Saturday 21st Dec: 10am-9pm
Sunday 22nd Dec: 11am-6pm
Monday 23rd Dec: 10am-6pm
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24th Dec): 10am-3pm
Then we are CLOSED to give the whole team a break between Christmas Day (25th Dec), reopening on Friday 3rd January.

Until then, we'll be serving bespoke book recs for you and all your loved ones, delicious @extractcoffee and wine (including the more-ish @topcuvee mulled wine) 📚🍷☕ Come browse, get recs from our team and chill with a drink while we create the perfect book stacks like the one above for you and your loved ones. We'll even wrap them all for you free of charge while you chill with a glass of wine. It's the only way to Christmas shop!

A wonderful festive visit from @condimentclaire means *SIGNED* copies of The Condiment Book are in stock now 🥫🧂🌭🥪

From Ketchup to Kimchi, Mayo to Miso, Claire Dinhut takesb us on a tour of our condiment cupboards, with recipes, flavour combinations and food pairings, and facts, history and stories about our much-loved and most indespensible ingredients.

Signed copies of the brilliant Condiment Book in stock now - order online for delivery or collection while they last.

A wonderful festive visit from @condimentclaire means *SIGNED* copies of The Condiment Book are in stock now 🥫🧂🌭🥪

From Ketchup to Kimchi, Mayo to Miso, Claire Dinhut takesb us on a tour of our condiment cupboards, with recipes, flavour combinations and food pairings, and facts, history and stories about our much-loved and most indespensible ingredients.

Signed copies of the brilliant Condiment Book in stock now - order online for delivery or collection while they last.

It's that time of year where we booksellers come into our own 🎄📚🎁🍷☕

Brimming with book recommendations for even the most difficult to buy for people in your life, we love finding the perfect book match for your loved ones.

Join us at our cosy bookshop wine bar until 9pm tonight and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday and we will personal shop for your Christmas presents, while you enjoy a glass of wine or coffee, and wrap each gift for you too 🎁

To get you started, here are some of our favourites recs at the moment (you can also head to our website to browse our extensive gift guide):

🌍 Orbital - the Booker Prize-winning novel is a stunning meditation about life on earth set in the International Space Station.

🏠 The Safekeep - BookBar's Book of the Year! An electric novel set in 1960s The Netherlands that will have you on the edge of your seat.

🫙 The Condiment Book - an ode to sauces, filled with recipes, sauces and beautiful illustrations.

🚘 All Fours - a kooky, witty and sharply observed novel that is one of the cult books of this year. A woman leaves her family to go on a road trip to New York but instead moves into a motel 30 minutes away from home.

👰 The Wedding People - a warm, funny and life-affirming novel for fans of David Nicholls and Sorrow and Bliss.

🇺🇸 James - Huckleberry Finn is retold from the perspective of the formerly enslaved James, in this Booker shortlisted novel from the immensely talented storyteller of Erasure and The Trees.

🎨 All That Glitters - An artworld Great Gatsby that reads like a thriller is the perfect non-fiction title to gift fans of Patrick Radden Keefe, or any art and culture lover. We could not put it down.

It's that time of year where we booksellers come into our own 🎄📚🎁🍷☕

Brimming with book recommendations for even the most difficult to buy for people in your life, we love finding the perfect book match for your loved ones.

Join us at our cosy bookshop wine bar until 9pm tonight and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday and we will personal shop for your Christmas presents, while you enjoy a glass of wine or coffee, and wrap each gift for you too 🎁

To get you started, here are some of our favourites recs at the moment (you can also head to our website to browse our extensive gift guide):

🌍 Orbital - the Booker Prize-winning novel is a stunning meditation about life on earth set in the International Space Station.

🏠 The Safekeep - BookBar's Book of the Year! An electric novel set in 1960s The Netherlands that will have you on the edge of your seat.

🫙 The Condiment Book - an ode to sauces, filled with recipes, sauces and beautiful illustrations.

🚘 All Fours - a kooky, witty and sharply observed novel that is one of the cult books of this year. A woman leaves her family to go on a road trip to New York but instead moves into a motel 30 minutes away from home.

👰 The Wedding People - a warm, funny and life-affirming novel for fans of David Nicholls and Sorrow and Bliss.

🇺🇸 James - Huckleberry Finn is retold from the perspective of the formerly enslaved James, in this Booker shortlisted novel from the immensely talented storyteller of Erasure and The Trees.

🎨 All That Glitters - An artworld Great Gatsby that reads like a thriller is the perfect non-fiction title to gift fans of Patrick Radden Keefe, or any art and culture lover. We could not put it down.

*Applications now closed*

WE ARE HIRING!

Interrupting the festive content to share that we are looking for a brilliant Manager to join our buzzy team of book, coffee and wine-lovers!

Please head to www.bookbaruk.com/jobs to find out all the details and to apply there. Applications close at 11:59pm on Saturday 4th January 2025.

We can't wait to read all your applications!

*Applications now closed*

WE ARE HIRING!

Interrupting the festive content to share that we are looking for a brilliant Manager to join our buzzy team of book, coffee and wine-lovers!

Please head to www.bookbaruk.com/jobs to find out all the details and to apply there. Applications close at 11:59pm on Saturday 4th January 2025.

We can't wait to read all your applications!

Celebrating small business Saturday with a glass of wine and a catch up in our cosy bookshop 🍷📚

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the high street, building community and creating an unmatched experience. We are so proud to be a small business and absolutely love the fact that we get to bring people together through books every day, sharing our bookish expertise, and creating community through books.

Pop in to BookBar this weekend, ask our team for recommendations and we'll personal shop for each of your loved ones while you relax with glass of wine or coffee. We'll even wrap your books for you while you're chilling.

We're open until 9pm tonight 🎁📚🍷☕

Celebrating small business Saturday with a glass of wine and a catch up in our cosy bookshop 🍷📚

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the high street, building community and creating an unmatched experience. We are so proud to be a small business and absolutely love the fact that we get to bring people together through books every day, sharing our bookish expertise, and creating community through books.

Pop in to BookBar this weekend, ask our team for recommendations and we'll personal shop for each of your loved ones while you relax with glass of wine or coffee. We'll even wrap your books for you while you're chilling.

We're open until 9pm tonight 🎁📚🍷☕

Nothing like a warming coffee sitting in the winter sun outside our gorgeous bookshop/coffee/wine bar ☕📚☀️

Come hang out, and let our team do your Christmas shopping for you while you relax with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. We'll even wrap your selections for you while you chill amongst our bookshelves🍷🎁

We're open until 9pm tonight, tomorrow and until 6pm Sunday. Don't forget, we'll also be open on Mondays throughout December.

Nothing like a warming coffee sitting in the winter sun outside our gorgeous bookshop/coffee/wine bar ☕📚☀️

Come hang out, and let our team do your Christmas shopping for you while you relax with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. We'll even wrap your selections for you while you chill amongst our bookshelves🍷🎁

We're open until 9pm tonight, tomorrow and until 6pm Sunday. Don't forget, we'll also be open on Mondays throughout December.

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Check out our famous BookBar playlists, courtesy of BookBar's resident DJ

Come and visit us at 166 Blackstock Road, London, N5 1HA

We will be opening on Mondays throughout December. Please see our updated opening times:

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 10am-6pm
Wednesday - 10am-9pm
Thursday - 10am-9pm
Friday - 10am-9pm
Saturday - 10am-9pm
Sunday -11am-6pm

Accessibility information
There is a step to enter the shop and steps throughout the space.
The bathroom is down a flight of stairs in the basement level.
Outdoor seating is accessed at street level.

Laptop policy
We love being a space that inspires creativity. However, we are also a busy retail and social space. We therefore limit laptop use to our downstairs Book Cellar and ask that laptop users only use laptops on weekdays before 6pm. We do not allow laptop use anywhere over the weekend. We ask that customers refrain from taking video and phone calls at all times. Feel free to bring your own book, notebooks and pens any time.

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