This month we look at the wide breadth of work by British novelist, short-story writer and film director William Boyd.
North Books’ alternative book club edges away from the usual convention of only inviting readers to discuss a single book (though this can happen from time to time) to opening up our evenings to a more general celebration of our shared love of storytelling and the people behind the words on the page.
Thoughts in the pot so far include asking readers to choose any work from a given writer to encourage a wider discussion of the author’s creativity and output. We are also interested in dedicated genre events as well as putting poets, journalists, songwriters and historians in the mix. Fiction, non-fiction and everything in between.
It’s a book club but it’s an evolving one. It will be one thing one month and something else the next time we meet – always, though, it will belong to the group and it will be shaped by you. The only common denominator will be words – and a conversation about them.
JOIN US
Participation is free if the book is purchased in advance from North Books at a 10% discount. Otherwise it is £5 on the night. To join the group, please email Jules on jules@northbooks.co.uk. We now offer audio books via Libro FM.
You are welcome to come along to the first session for free to see if it’s your cup of tea but please register your interest in the bookshop.
THE WORK
The December session of Hay Reads.
On our first session of 2026, Wednesday 18 February, let's talk about the work of award-winning novelist, short story writer, screenwriter and film director William Boyd; there will be a lot to choose from.
Pick something new or read a collection from the selection in the bookshop. Come ready to share what you liked and what you didn’t - as ever, the conversation is the ‘craic’, not showing off about how much you know!
Please let either Peter (who runs Hay Reads) or Jules in the bookshop know if you are planning on attending so we can welcome you - new members always welcome although we try an limit attendees to 14.
Pop in for more guidance if you would like a steer.