Upcoming Events At The Book Nook

01.04.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

We are delighted to hold the official launch of the latest novel from Gordon J Brown , a popular and well-known guest author at The Book Nook. We will hear Gordon in conversation about his thrilling and gritty new novel ‘The Cost’ with another Book Nook favourite author Douglas Skelton.

29.04.25 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

We will be delighted to welcome Tom Newlands. Tom is a Scottish writer living in London. He is the winner of a London Writer’s Award, a Creative Future Writer’s Award and New Writing North’s A Writing Chance.

His debut novel Only Here, Only Now was selected as a Guardian Fiction Book of the Year, and Longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize 2025.

30.05.25 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

We are thrilled to welcome Karen Campbell back to talk about her latest novel ‘This Bright Life’.

Gerard is twelve. He hates his name, but loves flying round the streets of Glasgow on his bike, or mucking about with his gang, the Broncos. He's a bright kid, but trouble seems to follow him.

No one really knows what it's like at home for Gerard; he's used to carrying a lot on his small shoulders. Gerard doesn't always make good decisions. And on one April morning, in the blink of an eye, he makes a very bad one - one that will upend his whole world.

Heartbreaking and yet brimful of humour, compassion and hope, This Bright Life is a story about messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.

14.06.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

Amazing story of four women establishing a circus, which is based on Emma’s own family history research.

Scotland, 1910: when Lena’s father dies, she decides to sell the carousel her father cared for like a child and is advised to look for a husband, or a job in a factory. But then flame-haired Violet, known to all in the fairgrounds as 'the greatest trapeze artist that ever lived' suggests they go it alone with their own, all-female act.
With her outspoken ways and her refusal to marry, Violet is as much an outcast as Lena. What do they have to lose? Recruiting bareback horse-rider Rosie, on the run from her abusive father, and Carmen whose rainbow ribbons hide the darkness in her past, to join the line-up, the four women form an unbreakable bond.
Thrust into a harsh and dangerous world that treats them with suspicion, disdain and even violence, they must forge their own path in search of freedom, security, and love.

17.06.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

We look forward to welcoming Gillian, author of the popular ‘Brodie’, to talk about her latest and unprecedented non-fiction book ‘Elephant’.

One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, yet it so often remains the elephant in the room. In this unprecedented book, talented novelist, Gillian Shirreffs, collects and curates her own emails, WhatsApp messages, tweets, short stories, photographs and other found texts to tell the story of 800 days. 800 days in which she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, had 22 infusions of chemotherapy, two surgeries, 15 sessions of radiotherapy, learned to live with the aftermath of treatment, and saw her debut novel, Brodie, published.

19.06.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

Jon Attenborough, a visually impaired football fan, embarks on an extraordinary journey with his guide dog, Sam, across Scotland, visiting every single one of the 42 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) grounds. What began as a personal challenge soon turned into a historic adventure, with Sam becoming the first dog ever to witness live matches at all 42 SPFL stadiums. Jon and Sam made each journey by public transport – legends!

This memoir chronicles their shared experiences, blending Jon’s love for football with the profound bond he shares with Sam. As they travel the length and breadth of Scotland, Jon navigates the challenges of accessibility, the unpredictability of live sports, and the warmth of Scotland’s football community. From the bustling cities to the remote, windswept stadiums, Jon and Sam experience the rich tapestry of Scottish football culture, encountering passionate fans, legendary players, and unforgettable moments along the way.

20.06.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

The largest and deadliest of all witch trials came when the Scottish witch hunt spread to England. In 1650, Tyneside women fought back. October, 1650

Traumatised Parliamentarian spy James Archer returns north seeking his sister Meg, missing in the aftermath of Newcastle’s recent witch trials.

Aloof, enigmatic Elizabeth Thompson draws him to investigate the ongoing killing of women who had worked to free the accused.

But when Elizabeth herself becomes hunted, the only chance of escape lies in Archer setting himself as bait.

07.07.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

We are proud to welcome well known and award-winning crime writer Liam McIlvanney with his latest Ayrshire set thriller ‘The Good Father’.

Heart-stopping and heart-rending, this is Liam McIlvanney's best novel yet' - VAL MCDERMID

WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN YOUR CHILD DISAPPEARING?
Gordon and Sarah Rutherford are normal, happy people with successful, fulfilling lives. They have a son they adore, a house on the beach and a safe, friendly and honest community in a picture-postcard town on the Ayrshire coast.

Until one day, Bonnie the lab comes in from the beach alone. Their son, Rory, has gone - the only trace left behind is a single black Adidas slider. Their lives don't fall apart immediately. While there's still hope (and no body) they dig deep and try to carry on. It's a process of abrasion - a wearing away of happiness and normality; a slow degradation, a gradual breakdown - until they'll never be the people they were before. This sort of tragedy impacts a whole town. Does the community still feel the same after? What are folk saying about you? Who are your friends? Who can you trust?

When the worst thing has happened and you've lost everything, you either go under or you rebuild and start again.

21.08.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

Douglas is now a Stewarton resident, so come and celebrate the launch of this much anticipated historical thriller
‘The Ship of Thieves’

Flynt meets Blackbeard!

Dead thieves tell no tales...Jonas Flynt’s stepmother, Mercy, has been abducted from Edinburgh and carried back to the West Indies by her former owner. Gideon Flynt his father, has followed in hot pursuit, but Cassie, Jonas's first love, knows he is not the man he once was and appeals to Flynt for help. Naturally, he agrees.

Against Colonel Nathaniel Charters’ wishes, he sails for the Caribbean, where he will unwittingly join forces with the most notorious pirate of all time, Blackbeard. But this time he may be out of his depth.

24.10.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

Your Past Is Right Behind You

Jo has always kept her head down and surrounded herself with strangers who know nothing about her Mum's murder. But when she receives a box of unopened letters written by the killer, her past creeps into her present, and Jo is forced to question the events that led to the killing. Their message is clear: I'll find you, no matter how long it takes.

But Jo's tired of living in fear. Determined to protect her new life and loved ones from the tragic violence of her past, Jo embarks on a mission to find the killer - before they find her. A pacy, twisty thriller about secrets and betrayal, set amongst the historic streets of Edinburgh.