Clothier, Meg – The Bell Bookshop

The shipping forecast

Emma — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There’s a sea lover in every Brit.

The Shipping Forecast on Radio 4 has been keeping people in tune with the gloriously fickle British weather for a century, and capturing our hearts and imaginations along the way.

Celebrating a hundred years since the first broadcast, this book takes you to the heart of what the Shipping Forecast means to us as a nation. Each of the ten chapters brings you on a fascinating exploration of a different area of our British maritime history, from stormy weather up above to the seabed far below, and from fishing boats and battleships to the songs and poems inspired by the forecast.

This joyous book invites you to sail away into the enchanting world of the forecast, and is the perfect companion for anyone curious about our great British skies and seas.

Country matters

Emma — Thu, 02 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Everything you wanted to know about the countryside, but were too afraid to ask ‘A joyful companion with surprises and delights on every page’ Tristan Gooley, author of The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs’Highly readable and scrupulously balanced’John Wright, author of The Forager’s Calendar’Lovely, luminous’Bella Bathurst, author of Field WorkNeed advice on how to raise a chicken or pluck a pheasant? Wondering how to train your dog, catch a mole or sneak through a field of cows? Perhaps you’re after the secret to the fattest pumpkin, the wormiest compost, the classiest snowdrop?Or are you simply in love with our captivating landscapes, keen to unlock the history and culture of our woods and fields, our footpaths and boundaries, our meadows and moors?In this delightful and eye-opening book, Meg Clothier and her father, Jonny, combine decades of practical know-how with a passion for literature and lore – braced up by a keen understanding of the conundrums of the contemporary countryside.From hedges and holloways to henges and ha-has, Country Matters brings the world beyond our towns and cities – its pleasures and perplexities, its dilemmas and delights – to entertaining and illuminating life.

The book of Eve

Emma — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The Binding meets The Handmaid’s Tale – Discovering a book of dark and ancient power, a convent librarian must defend it with her life. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction.

‘A wonderfully rich and absorbing tale’ Observer
‘Expertly crafted and beautifully told’ Jennifer Saint
‘All so good. I read it in two days flat, and wish I had spaced it out more’ ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEW

Beatrice is the convent’s librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts.

Then, one carnival night, two women, bleeding and stricken, are abandoned outside the convent’s walls. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice’s hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own.

But men of the faith want the book destroyed, and a zealous preacher has tracked it to her door. Her sisters’ lives – or her obsession. Beatrice must decide.

The book’s voice is growing stronger.

An ancient power uncoils.

Will she dare to listen?

More praise for THE BOOK OF EVE:
‘What an extraordinary book’ Harriet Tyce
‘A ravishing, erudite feminist hijack of Renaissance Florence’ Alice Albinia
‘A beautifully written, utterly enthralling read’ Karen Coles
‘Mysterious, bewitching and beautiful’ Elizabeth Lee
‘Brutal and haunting’ Melissa Fu
‘Erudite and bewitching’ Costanza Casati

And some early reader reviews:
‘It is a tribute to female strength, power and resilience’ ? ? ? ? ?
‘A very interesting take on myth, mythology and the power of women when they work together for the greater good’ ? ? ? ?
‘The writing was excellent with a compelling storyline and well developed characters and a fantastic setting’ ? ? ? ? ?
‘An emotional journey, I absolutely loved the story and characters’ ? ? ? ?

Sea Fever

Emma — Thu, 05 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

‘What a fun book! Reading Sea Fever is enticing and intriguing, like watching floating treasure bob past your nose.’ Tristan Gooley, author of The Natural NavigatorCan you interpret the shipping forecast? Do you know your flotsam from your jetsam? Or who owns the foreshore? Can you tie a half-hitch – or would you rather splice the mainbrace? Full of charming illustrations and surprising facts, Sea Fever provides the answers to all these and more. Mixing advice on everything from seasickness to righting a capsized boat with arcane marine lore, recipes, history, dramatic stories of daring-do and guides to the wildlife we share our shores with, even the most experienced ocean-dweller will find something in these pages to surprise and delight.

Sea Fever

Emma — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

‘What a fun book! Reading Sea Fever is enticing and intriguing, like watching floating treasure bob past your nose.’ Tristan Gooley, author of The Natural NavigatorAHOY THERE! REEL IN YOUR COPY OF THIS YEAR’S BEST BEACH READ Are you all at sea by the seaside?We are an island nation, surrounded on all sides by waters which provide us with everything from food to fun. But when it comes to really understanding the ins and outs, we sometimes find ourselves … less than shipshape. Luckily, Sea Fever is here to help: stacked to the gunnels with interesting facts, practical advice and esoteric seaside lore, once you’ve read it, you’ll never feel like a landlubber again. So, dive on in to uncover the secrets of dead reckoning, the dark arts of crabbing and the charms of the morning star. Batten down the hatches and learn how to right a capsized boat, gut a fish or escape from quicksand. Or simply allow yourself to drift through maritime myth and legend, shuddering at krakens, swooning over selkies and revelling in the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song.