Rifling Through my Drawers by Clarissa Dickson Wright

Thursday 12th November 2009

Clarissa Dickon Wright gave our first ever event at The Sugarhouse Gallery (the barn behind the shop), and what a way to start.  She was more stand up comedian than conventional author, and the audience was laughing along with her from the first.

Valvona & Crolla: A Year at an Italian Table by Mary Contini

Mary Contini charmed her audience at the Corn Exchange in Melrose as she talked with The Borders Book Festival, Alistair Moffatt.  We learned much of the fascinating background to the creation of Valvona & Crolla, and Alistair managed to work out his menu for Saturday's dinner party!

East Fortune by James Runcie

30th April 2009

Thursday 30th April was a beautifully sunny evening in St Boswells and we were lucky enough to be hosting an event for James Runcie, talking for the first time in public about his new novel, East Fortune.  David Robinson, books editor of The Scotsman, introduced James and his novel to our audience and the two discussed the issues at hand - what it is to be parented, to be a parent yourself and to be middle class and middle aged (James' words, not mine). 

Death of an Ocean by Euan Clarkson & Brian Upton

Friday 2nd October 2009

We just managed to seat 70 people in the shop to listen to Euan Clarkson and Brian Upton talk about their new book on the geology of the Borders region.  The audience had many questions to ask and the authors brought along fascinating samples of fossils.

Fish/Dino-Egg by Charlie James

Thursday 8th Oct 2009

Charlie James visited Melrose Grammar School to speak to P4 & P5, keeping them entertained with her samples of fossilised dinosaur poo!  For those not lucky enough to meet Charlie on the 8th Oct, I'm delighted to say that she will signing her books at our Xmas Shopping Evening on 4th November.

The Day of the Assassins by Johnny O'Brien

6/7th October 2009

Johnny, himself a former pupil of Peebles High School, had a busy two days going into Borders schools to speak about his first novel, DAY OF THE ASSASSINS.  He was a hit with the children and was, I think, impressed with the answers they gave to his questions on WWI.

Into Danger by Kate Adie

26th Nov 2008 (held in association with the Borders Book Festival)

Over 200 people turned out to hear the hugely respected journalist, Kate Adie talking about her new book, Into Danger.  The book looks at the people behind the most dangerous jobs in the world, from food tasters to terrorists and deep sea divers. 

The Trouble with Dragons/Witch Baby by Debi Gliori

29th April 2009

In the morning session, Debi talked about her eco-fable, The Trouble with Dragons (4yrs +).  The children were clearly fascinated and I think it's fair to say that everyone was incredibly impressed by how much thought goes into creating a picture book. 

Resistance by Agnes Humbert

“Looking for Agnès: a tale of passion and paper trails”
Tuesday 26th May, 7pm at The Mainstreet Trading Company

“Looking for Agnès” at The Mainstreet Trading Company was another sell out evening.  This time the audience enjoyed a fascinating talk from Barbara Mellor, translator of Résistance by Agnès Humbert.

Barbara was full of passion and knowledge about her subject – a much neglected heroine of the French resistance, who described herself merely as “the typist”.   

Millers Antiques Guide by Judith Miller

4th JULY - JUDITH MILLER TALKS ANTIQUES

Judith Miller was up in the Borders filming the Antiques Roadshow at Abbotsford and we were lucky enough to book her for an event at the shop on the 4th July.  Brought up in Galashiels, Judith began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University.

World Book Day in the Borders

5th March 2009

Thursday 5th March was World Book Day and over a hundred children attended author events at The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells to celebrate with Vivian French and Natalie Russell.

Neil Gaiman

29th Oct 2008

We were very honoured that Neil Gaiman made it down to the Borders as he was in the middle of an international tour (New York, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, St Boswells!) to launch his new novel for children, The Graveyard Book.

Michael Morpurgo

3rd Oct 2008 (held in association with The Borders Book Festival)

Bestselling author and former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo delighted 550 local school children when he performed for them at the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels last October.  He was talking about his writing and in particular about his new novel, Kaspar, King of Cats which was published in October.