The Book Hive

		The Revelations by Alex Preston 2012-01-29 Great review for Alex Preston's The Revelations in the Observer this weekend. He'll be here for the launch February 29th. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/29/revelations-alex-preston-review
		Andrew Miller wins Costa Book Awards 2012-01-27 Fantastic news for Norwich this week, and for UEA's 40th Anniversary of Creative Writing. The brilliant Andrew Miller and his historical novel Pure won the Costa Awards. Miller, Christie Watson and Martyn Bedford are all UEA alumni and Matthew Hollis - Now All Roads Lead to France - is a Norwich boy...
		ANORAK & PLOC - Happy Mags for Kids 2012-01-23 We now have a beautifully designed new collection of children's magazines from ANORAK PRESS; ANORAK & PLOC mags are made with quality paper and have gorgeous illustrations, stories and clever crafty activities for the kidlets to enjoy. We've also got some lovely little ANORAK colouring notebooks in.
		First in Midlands/East in Independent Top 50 Bookshops! 2012-01-21 Very honoured to be listed first in the Midlands and East section of The Independent's top 50 bookshops in the UK with the following comments: "Described by Rebecca as "a wonderful, airy space for browsing," this is "full of eye-catching, intriguing titles you don't see displayed elsewhere," she says, "including one of the best selections of independent press books and art, design and children's books in the country."" Thank you!
		Voewood Literary festival 2011-08-27 Billed as 'The Literary Garden Party of the Year', the Voewood Literary Festival is bringing an outstanding line-up of writers, musicians and performers to North Norfolk for three days this summer. Check out the website to see how to get involved! Tickets available online, and also from The Book Hive, the festival's official bookseller. www.voewoodfestival.com
		Book Hive to open new shop!! 2011-07-08 We are very pleased to announce that Hive Art, our new Art Book Shop will open on the 18th August at The Anteros Arts Foundation on Fye Bridge Street, Norwich. For many years called the King of Hearts, (the cafe still has that name) it is one of Norwich's most beautiful buildings, with rooms to hire, events, art courses and now a bookshop! Anteros took the building over recently having previously been based only in south Norfolk, where they have kept their other premises open. Check them out at www.anteros.co.uk and check out our new bookshop whenever you like. This will be Norwich's only dedictaed Art bookshop, with an expanding range of different books, staffed by a wonderful team of highly knowledgeable people. See you there!
		Hugh Aldersey-Williams book choice 2011-06-08 'Let me tell you where I stand' A selection of books for the curated tables scheme by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, author of the radio 4 book of the week, Periodic Tales. Tom McCarthy, Remainder What is your life? Remainder's narrator attempts to rebuild his literally using the compensation money obtained following a severe brain injury, raising deep questions about the nature of reality. More inventive and tighter than his Booker-nominated C. James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner A richly complex tale, told from different views, centring on the paradoxes of personal identity. The tortured main character and his doppelganger will haunt you long afterwards, and so will its advanced ideas about selfhood, truth and reality. Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life A fascinating tale of scientific wrong and right turnings among the weird fauna of the Cambrian 'explosion' of life, all set in motion with a magnificent evocation of the place in British Columbia were the crucial fossils were found. W. H. Auden / Louis MacNiece, Letters from Iceland Only patchily conscientious as a travelogue, the Auden / MacNiece Letters - interleaved with Auden's bathetic version of Byron's Don Juan - tell us about more about Britain and Europe in the 1930s. A delightfully odd escape from an increasingly odd world. Jan Morris, Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere Trieste is one of those in-between places that are always more interesting than the rest. Roman, Byzantine, Austro-Hungaian, Italian, Balkan? All or none? Morris offers a calm meditation on sense of place. Read it with an espresso, Illy of course. Robert Musil, The Man without Qualities The action takes place during the planning of celebrations for Franz Josef's jubilee - an event Musil and we know will be swept aside by the First World War. I found myself relocating to Blair's Britain with the death of Diana on the eve of the millennium. Every page (really) fizzes with satirical perception. Milan Kundera, Slowness We moan about the cost of living, but we never stop to think about the speed of living, so in thrall are we to the gods of technology and routine. Kundera's concise novel reminds us it really is okay to choose the pace. Tim Parks, Europa Since Lodge and Bradbury, novels of hapless Brits at sea in other cultures have rather fallen from fashion. Parks hilariously uptakes the genre by putting the action aboard the EU gravy train. Scarlett Thomas, Popco Ever wanted to know what it's like to work in the wonder corporations of our age, the Googles and the Apples? Popco takes you into these offices like no other. Like Ballard, but funnier and with real characters. Alex Ross, The Rest is Noise At last, somebody has found a way to put music in context. From Mahler to Björk, Ross makes brilliant connections between composers and the changing 20th century world they are describing. Puts the 'Ah!' in Scriabin!
		THIS IS WHAT A POET LOOKS LIKE on sale now!!! 2011-06-07 Between 6th and 21st May 2011 sixteen poets took it in turns to sit in the large bay window of a Norwich bookshop and write. Among those chosen for this project were TSEliot Award winners, Forward Prize nominees and a handful of the UK’s most popular performance poets. Some dressed up, others dressed down, but mostly they looked, well, pretty normal, actually. The public, meanwhile, were fascinated; waving, taking pictures on their camera phones and some times even stopping by for a chat. All the poets wrote a new poem while stationed in the window and they are collected here in this little anthology, on sale at The Book Hive for £5. The poets featured are: George Szirtes, Tom Warner, Lora Stimson, Dean Parkin, Hannah Jane Walker, Luke Wright, Molly Naylor, Laura Elliott, Nathan Hamilton, Tim Turnbull, Helen Ivory, John Osborne, Martin Figura, Sam Riviere, Yanny Mac and Tim Clare.
		New Curated Table in the shop 2011-04-01 Thanks to Patrick Ness who provided the first selection of books for our 'Curated Tables' scheme. Now his choices have come down, I can reveal them online!!! They were: The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood Yes, you've read The Handmaid’s Tale and Alias Grace, but The Robber Bride is probably my favourite by her: smart, shrewd, witty and true, about a destructive friend. The Three-Button Trick by Nicola Barker Booker-shortlisted for the brilliant Darkmans, anything by Nicola Barker is a treat. The Three-Button Trick includes "Dual Balls", the funniest short story ever written by anyone anywhere about anything. Villette by Charlotte Bronte Everyone marches through Jane Eyre, but I tend to think Villette is even better: darker, angrier, less over the top but with a wallop of an ending. The Unusual Life of Tristan Smith by Peter Carey His most overlooked novel, but I think one of his best. An allegory of the relationship between Australia and England viewed through a retelling of Tristram Shandy. Magical, intoxicating stuff. The Pleasure of Eliza Lynch by Anne Enright Won the Booker for The Gathering, of course, but I’ve loved her for years. This is based on the true story of a courtesan from Cork who went off to marry the President of Paraguay in 1855. Strong Motion by Jonathan Franzen You've read The Corrections, you've read Freedom, but honestly, this one’s better. A completely bizarre story of earthquakes and seismology in Boston. Where they don’t have earthquakes. The Longest Journey by E.M. Forster The only Forster novel not made into a film, and if you read it, you’ll see why. The narrative spins completely out of control and more than half the characters die, but what a ride to get there. The Bat Tattoo by Russell Hoban Russell Hoban wrote this at 77 and it’s as beguiling as anything he’s ever done. He’s 85 now and still writing wildly original books all his own. A career to be seriously envied. Woman of the Inner Sea by Thomas Kenneally Schindler’s List/Ark tends to overshadow the rest of the (huge) Keneally oeuvre, but I really, really like this simple story of farmers in the outback. The fate of the kangaroo will make you weep. The Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace Best known for his 1,000-page Infinite Jest, this is Wallace’s even weirder first novel. Shorter, stranger and with an ending that’ll make you want to kill him. In a good way. The new selection is by Hugh Alderesy-Williams, author of the recent Radio 4 book of the week Periodic Tales. They are in the shop now...
		Best Independent Bookshop in Britain!! 2011-02-11 Thanks to all those who voted for us in The Telegraph's Best Small Shops in Britain award we got into the top three, and last night in an awards ceremony at Millbank Tower we were named as the winner of the bookshop category! A great evening and despite sore heads today a great feeling to know people like what we're doing. More of the same to come..!
		Good start to 2011! 2011-01-10 After featuring in a piece about bookselling on Radio4's You and Yours last week, we have had a great deal of contact and messages of support from all around the country. Thanks to everyone for getting in touch. Also thanks to anyone who voted for us in the Telegraph's best independent shops in Britain contest. We are in the final and going to the awards night next month. Will keep you posted!
		Phil Jupitus comes to the shop for Christmas signing!! 2010-12-20 On Monday the 20th December, comedian, actor, DJ and TV presenter Phill Jupitus will be coming to the shop to sign copies of his book 'Good Morning Nantwich - Adventures in Breakfast Radio'. He will be here from 1 o'clock and if you come along to buy a book and get it signed, you can also have some mulled wine and a mince pie, because it will be SO nearly Christmas!
		Christmas window 2010 2010-11-20 One of the joys of 53 London Street is its beautiful big window. It is a deliberate choice to use it as a set to make interesting and attractive displays, and not simply put books in it like other bookshops. Quite a lot of people rejoice in telling me, as often as they can, that this is a bad idea. They are wrong. So, here is our offering for Christmas this year, brought to you by me, Sam from St.Columb Interiors and Boz the illustrator. There are more pictures on our facebook page. Happy Christmas!
		Best independent shops competition 2010-10-12 Copy and paste the link below to vote for us in this national competition for the best independent shops, bookshop section! You have until 10th december - vote away!!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/7992321/Telegraph-Magazine-The-Best-Small-Shops-in-Britain-2010.html
		Australian author to visit shop 2010-09-29 LAST MINUTE NEWS!!! The Book Hive is to host one of only two events in the UK for Australian author Alex Miller and his new novel Lovesong. A hugely respected writer in his own country, Miller's work is less known over here. He is conducting a major - if whirlwind - media tour and having a launch and Daunt books, Chelsea and The Book Hive, Norwich. Look out for him in the press and on radio 4's open book, and come along to the free event on the 29th September from 7.30, with wine provided by Australia House. Alex Miller is one of Australia's best loved writers. He is twice winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award, Australia's premier literary prize, the first occasion in 1993 for The Ancestor Game, and again in 2003 for Journey to the Stone Country. Conditions of Faith, his fifth novel, was published in 2000 and won the Christina Stead Prize for fiction in the 2001 NSW Premier's Literary Awards. It was also nominated for the Dublin IMPAC International Literature Award, shortlisted for the Colin Roderick Award in 2000, the Age Book of the Year Award and the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2001. He is also an overall winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize, for The Ancestor Game, in 1993. Miller's seventh novel, Prochownik's Dream, was published in 2005. Landscape of Farewell, published in 2008, was shortlisted for the ALS Gold Medal and the Miles Franklin Literary Award and won the Annual Foreign Novels 21st Century Award from the People's Literature Publishing House in China. Also in 2008, Alex Miller was awarded the Manning Clark Cultural Award for an outstanding contribution to the quality of Australian cultural life. Miller's most recent novel, Lovesong, was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, and won the 2010 Age Book of the Year prize. He lives with his wife in Castlemaine, Victoria.
		Food month in the shop! 2010-09-01 Coming up in the shop - to tie-in with the Norfolk Food Festival during September we have a number of events in store. Keep an eye on the website and this page, or pop in an get a flyer, but for now make a note of these dates... September 1st - SUSHI AND SAKE NIGHT with the fantastic Shun, chef at Shiki in Tombland Thursday 9th - HONEY TASTING AND TALK with Hayley from The Window coffee shop. She does bees as well as beans... ... Thursday 16th - COFFEE TASTING - Hayley again, back on the beans, repeating the fantastic coffee event of a few months back Friday 24th - OLIVE OIL TASTING with Charles Carey, without doubt the leading authority on this amazing product and the first person to import it commercially to the UK as a speciality food. Come and sample/buy the best this little fruit has to offer from across the world. (Olives that is, not Charles...)
		Victoria Stitch 2010-07-30 Came in to work today and there was an email from Harriet Muncaster, who told me she had done this... http://misadventuresofvictoriastitch.blogspot.com/2010/06/victoria-stitch-and-book-shop.html I think its great.
		hack in the box interviews 2010-07-09 http://www.gatehousepress.co.uk/hack.php Here you can listen to interviews with all the Hacks as they left the box, discussing what they found and what they left behind! A fascinating account when all listened to of different writers talking about the experience and their writing in general. Have a listen and grab one o...f the few remaining copies if you still haven't. It's going to be a collector's piece I think...
		Another TV piece... 2010-06-16 Back on the BBC - on Working Lunch this time as part of Independent Bookseller's Week. Here is the link to have a look... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/working_lunch It went out on the 16th June
		Hack in the Box Published 2010-06-01 The Hack in the box book was published at the end of last week and is now on sale in the shop at £5. Come in to get your copy of this unique piece of community writing by a fantastic line-up of writers.
		National News Again! 2010-03-04 BBC Breakfast news are showing a feature they made about the shop as a World Book Day piece, focusing on independent bookshops. Thursday morning 4th march, 6.50 am, 7.50 am and 8.50 am. Me, Chris Gribble and James - our new staff member! See it with this link... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8548812.stm
		The Guardian rates us... 2010-02-22 Check out Sam Jordison's entry on his Guardian Book Blog - http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/feb/22/browsing-books-robert-graves Thank you Sam! (This is Sam eating meat)
		Writing competition!!! 2010-02-02 The Inspire Discovery centre in Norwich have launched their first writing competition, and it is open for entries now! There are three age brackets - Under 11, 12-17 and 18+ (For the last age range there is an entry fee of £5 for first entry, £2.50 for each extra one). Closing date is April 26th, and details and entry forms can be picked up at The Book Hive. There are three top prizes for each age group, as well as the stories being published in a special anthology. Oh yes - the theme is 'Science' - however you interpret it! Get Writing! To help you get started, Inspire are hosting a FREE writing workshop for 7-11 year olds at The Forum on February 17th. Please call 01603 612612 to book a place!
		Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll 2010-01-13 Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll Ian Dury by Richard Balls The only book ever to be written about Dury with both his consent and co-operation, exhaustively researched and covering his entire life. There is no other book about this legend of British entertainment which reveals in such great detail the highs and lows of this great man's life. With contributions from a whole host of people closely associated with Dury throughout his life, Richard's book gives an important and fascinating insight into the mind of an irascible, aggressive but ultimately sensitive genius. Credited with helping in the making of the new Ian Dury biopic of the same name, “Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll” is essential reading for anyone interested in the man, the era, or the history of British music and entertainment. Richard Balls is a Norwich based journalist and writer, who gave a special pre-screening introduction to the film at Cinema City on Wednesday 13th Jan, and signed copies of his book after. There are just a few left over which are in the shop now, signed and with a 10% discount.
		SHOP CLOSING AND WEBSITE ISSUES 2010-01-12 Due to unforeseen circumstances The Book Hive will be closed this Saturday(16th Jan) and Monday (18th). Many apologies - please come and see us later. Also please do not try to send emails from this site. they are not getting through at the moment. Phone is fine - 01603 219268. Sorry...
		Queen of illustrated children's books comes to The Book Hive 2010-01-11 Julia Donaldson, the creator of The Gruffalo as well as author of a whole host of other fantasic books came into the shop on Monday to sign books. Accompanied by our mutual friend, the wonderful children's writer Joyce Dunbar, (mother of the equally wonderful illustrator Polly Dunbar), Julia signed a limited number of books covering her whole back-catalogue, which are all on sale in the shop from today at a 10% discount!She said she thought the shop was beautiful, and plans are afoot for her to come and visit us again.
		Limited edition signed prints available 2009-12-10 One of this year's big Christmas hits for children looks set be the new book by Jeanette Winterson called "The Lion, the Unicorn and Me", which tells the story of the Donkey that carried Mary to the stable. The book has been beautifully illustrated by Rosalind MacCurrach, and this Christmas customers at The Book Hive have very special treat. We have a limited edition run of 50 prints of a preliminary sketch for one of the illustrations, signed by Rosie and available to buy for just £10! A beautiful and unique addition to the book, they are not available anywhere else...
		Local Press and gender issues 2009-11-05 Have a read of articles published in the EDP and various other local papers, one of which talks about a new bookshop in Norwich being set up by a woman who grew up in Swanton Morley. For those who dont know me, I am called Henry and I am a man...
		Stephen Fry wos 'ere... 2009-11-01 To mark the launch of 'Southampton Dada' by Nick Rogers, the first title from new publisher Cant Books, as well as the opening of The Book Hive, Stephen Fry came to the shop to read, drink and chat. In his speech to an invited crowd he said how he had dreamt of such a shop existing in Norwich when he was growing up here, and how thrilled he was we had opened. "In years to come" he added, "we will be the lucky ones able to say, 'I was there...'"
		Patrick Ness Visits The Bookhive 2009-10-23 Prize winning author, creator of the fantastic Chaos Walking series, (The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer), and friend of The Book Hive Patrick Ness, popped into the shop to check up on the preparations for opening day next week. Having just paid a visit to Norwich School he came in for a cup of tea before heading off again, but has promised to come back soon, perhaps to mark the arrival of the final book in the trilogy next spring. Watch this space....!"
		We Talk on BBC Radio Norfolk! 2009-10-22 BBC Radio Norfolk - The Bookhive: On 15th October The Book Hive joined a live debate on BBC Norfolk's breakfast show with Chris Goreman about whether too many books are published in the Uk for the amount of readers there are. Henry was joined by author Tom Cox to discuss the nation's book reading habits, as well as giving a general profile of The Book Hive. Go to BBC norfolk website and follow lnks to listen again...