Upcoming Events At The Book Nook

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

We are all looking forward to hearing about Emma’s much talked about debut novel. It is an amazing story of four women establishing a circus, which is based on Emma’s own family history research.

Emma will be chaired by Glasgow based author Kirsten MacQuarrie.

The Show Woman is set in 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.

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

We welcome Jon Attenborough in conversation with Julie McNeill, Poet in Residence for St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation and the Makar for The Scottish Women’s National Football Team Poets Society.

Jon, a visually impaired football fan, embarked 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

AD Bergin was born in Northumberland and raised on Tyneside. He graduated from Cambridge University with a first-class degree in History, since when he has worked as an archaeologist, historian, researcher, postman, roofer, builder and barman.

Sarah Smith, author of the acclaimed historical novel ‘Hear No Evil’, will chat to Andrew about his book.

The Wicked of the Earth is based on the true story of England’s largest witch trial, which came about came when the Scottish witch hunt spread to England and the extraordinary all-female campaign to free the accused, when in 1650, Tyneside women fought back.

The Wicked of the Earth is perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, S. G. MacLean, S. J. Parris, or C. J. Sansom.

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
THIS EVENT IS BEING HELD IN THE STEWARTON AREA CENTRE

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.

Venue - Stewarton Area Centre @ 7pm (doors open 6.30pm)

We are thrilled to have Nicola Sturgeon and Andrew O’Hagan joining us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation and unique insight, and sharing cherished memories of their Ayrshire roots - a place that shaped their journeys

‘Frankly’ is the long-awaited, intimate memoir from Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female first minister and former leader of the SNP, reflecting on her life and times at the forefront of Scottish and British politics.

In this captivating memoir, Nicola Sturgeon takes readers from her working-class roots in Ayrshire to the forefront of Scottish politics as the country’s first female and longest-serving first minister.

Sturgeon offers an insider’s view of key political moments, including the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the SNP’s rise to power, the Scottish Independence Referendum, the complexities of Brexit and the unforeseen challenges of the Covid pandemic.

With candour and insight, she shares personal achievements and regrets, discusses the challenges of being a woman in a high-stakes political arena and reveals the person behind the public figure. The result is a deeply personal and revealing memoir from one of Britain’s most significant political leaders of recent times.

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

Join us at this launch event when Douglas Skelton unveils The Ship of Thieves, the much-anticipated fifth thriller in the Jonas Flynt, Company of Rogues series.

This time, Jonas Flynt faces his greatest challenge yet—an electrifying encounter with the legendary pirate Blackbeard himself!

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.

10.09.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

Step into the world of psychological suspense with Alice Feeney, the Queen of Twists, as she talks about her latest gripping thriller, Beautiful Ugly. Join us for an evening of intrigue, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes insights into the novel that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

If you are a fan of twisty thrillers, don’t miss this event!

Discover the secrets behind Feeney’s masterful storytelling, hear exclusive excerpts, and engage in a lively discussion about the art of crafting unforgettable characters and shocking plot twists.

08.10.2025 @ 7pm
The Book Nook, 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA

The Book Nook is delighted to welcome internationally bestselling, award-winning author Ann Cleeves with her latest crime novel featuring the popular Jimmy Perez.

When a violent storm descends upon Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is left in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby.
Archie’s death is a shocking blow to the community where Perez, his partner Willow and their young son now live.

Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate killer strikes again . . .

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.