AiB Book Blether – first Wednesday of each month, 7pm, in the bookshop

An informal gathering at the bookshop, where all are welcome to chat about our experiences of a particular book and swap recommendations for others. Promise, no exam questions, just friendly blether over a cup of tea.

We’ll be reading and blethering about the following books over the next few months:

• 2nd April: The Women by Kristen Hannah 
• 7th May: James by Percival Everett 
• 4th June: Theme evening: a blether about books that evoke an era

We have copies of these books in the bookshop or click on the titles to order from our Bookshop.org page.

Some of our previous books have included: A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson; O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker, A Single Rose by Muriel Barbery, The Five:the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold, The Bookseller of Inverness by SG Maclean, Paper Cup by Karen Campbell and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, The Wager by David Grann and Clear by Carys Davies.

All fascinating reads for very different reasons. Needless to say, not everyone liked all of them, but they all lent themselves to lively discussion.

We also source books for other bookclubs and have hosted bookclub gatherings. If you would like to meet in the bookshop, just get in touch.

Trial by Jury with Mark Bridgeman

19th March 2025, 7pm at the bookshop

Back by popular demand, with his new collection: The Scottish Murder Book. Mark will be presenting a brand new, real life murder trial, in which we get to be the jury.

There’s a prize for the lucky winner when the verdict is revealed.

Tickets are £5 (from Adventure into Books), and can be redeemed against a book bought on the night. Get in touch to reserve your space!

BOOKMARK Meet the Author – Natalie Russell

Saturday, 15th March 2025, 2pm, St Catharine’s Community Centre, Blairgowrie, PH10 6EY

To begin BOOKMARK’s 2025 programme of events, award-winning illustrator and writer Natalie Russell will be talking to Gail Wylie.

A continuation of BOOKMARK 2024’s opening event, Natalie and Gail will be exploring the wealth of wonderful illustrators we can enjoy today. A feast for the eyes and ears! Bring along pictures of your own favourites to celebrate the intoxicating mix of words and pictures.

Ticket: £10 for non-members £9 for members, available from Adventure into Books

BOOKMARK Festival: 4-5th October 2025

The line up for 2025 Festival is still shrouded in suspenseful mystery but if it is anything like the 2024 festival, it will be fabulous, with something of interest for everyone! Keep an eye on BOOKMARK’s website for more details, and to hear of author events during the year.

Tickets for events are available from Adventure into Books.

Some of our recent favourite AiB events

A big thank you to everyone who helped us to put them on and came to join in the fun.

In June this year, we welcomed Pauline Tait for an entertaining evening exploring her romantic suspense novels: A Life of Their Own, Abigail Returns and Anna’s Promise. Pauline’s reading of Anna’s scare at Brother’s Point in North-East Skye had us all leaning forward on our seats. Just get in touch if you would like to order one of Pauline’s books – we’re eagerly waiting for the next Skye adventure!

In August, Keith Broomfield visited to share some of his journeys through nature, expanding out from the River Devon in If Rivers Could Sing, to A Scottish Wildlife Odyssey and Wild Quest Britain. It was a fascinating evening – including tales of some of the weird and wonderful flora and fauna on own doorstep.

In September, our thoughts turned to the poems of Scots Writer o the Year, Jim Mackintosh, with his new collection, We Are Migrant, with the conversation very ably chaired by local SMP and First Minister John Swinney. The poems examine the constant shift of humanity across the generations – some forced by the need to find work, some by the clearance of land, some fleeing unrelenting persecution. Moving, powerful and personal stories.

Over the past few years, we’ve also loved hosting Merryn Glove, talking about The Hidden Fires of the Cairngorms, and Iain Maloney sharing his quest in search of th The Japan Lights. We’ve also welcomed our local, award-winning children’s authors: David MacPhail (of Thorfinn and Velda fame),  and Molly Arbuthnott (tales of Oscar the Cat and other animals), and the Newhill Primary School Reading Club, who particularly liked our joke books.