Events at October Books for May 2026!

???? Author reading of a new children’s book – The Adventures of Mabel and Max The Adventures of Mabel and Max: a fun story aimed at 5-9-year-olds. The story follows two delightful animal characters and their adventures on the quest to find a family jewel. @lindsay_walker_00 explain the importance of the book below: “I have just written my first children’s book aimed at children from 5-9 years old. It is a story about a chicken and her friend, a lynx, and the adventures they have and the creatures they meet, on a quest to find a family jewel. Older children in this age group can read to themselves, whilst younger children can enjoy the story being read to them.

The Adventures of Mabel and Max was written for my 7-year-old daughter, who loves chickens and lynxes. They are her favourite animals. It is one of the stories that I would tell her at bedtime, featuring animal characters that she would enjoy. We have chickens at our house, and the character of Mabel is based on one of our more cheeky and adventurous hens. It has been a joy for her to see these characters coming to life in my book.” ???? Event Details Dates/Times ????️ 9th May, Saturday 1:30 pm -3:30pm ????️ Free entry

???? October Books pop up green space????Saturday, 30th May, 11pm-1pm

Community members are encouraged to bring plants, shrubs, and trees to inspire more greenery on the high street.

The event will feature videos of a reimagined high street filled with plants and community spaces, created by Richard Willmott of @strata.design.ltd

Watch here: https://youtu.be/39VU6eZnR34

Please bring green plants, flowers, and shrubs on the day between 10-11 am, using eco-friendly transport like a trolley, trike, cargo bike, or wheelbarrow. Alternatively, drop off plants at the shop on Friday, 29th May, or arrange for collection via our cargo bike by contacting clare@octoberbooks.org.

Stay for the event if possible, then take your plants home or donate them to the garden at the back of the shop.

Take pictures of your plant’s journey and tag us!

This event is part of Southampton Urban Wild festival @southamptonnpc

???? Meet the author of new epic fantasy, Sentinel of the Sun
Join author Eira Morgan-Jones at October Books on 23 May to hear all about the launch of her debut YA fantasy novel, Sentinel of the Sun. The novel blends ancient magic with a dystopian vision of the future, inspired by dark family legends from the South Wales valleys.

Eira will give a short talk about the novel beginning at 2.30pm, followed by a Q&A. Please arrive from 2pm so that you can help yourself to free tea, coffee and Welsh cakes, and get settled in. After the discussion, the author will remain until 4pm to give everyone a chance to purchase their copy and have it signed if they wish.

✒️ About the author
@eiramorganjones is the author of Sentinel of the Sun, the first novel in an epic YA fantasy series where the wildness of nature intersects with ancient power and new tyranny.

Details:
Dates/Times????️ 23rd May 2026, Saturday 2:00-4:00pm
Tickets ????️ FREE/registration required
https://octoberbooks.lemonbooking.com/events/150/details

???? May edition???? Bring Your Own Book Club

Join us for our book club on Saturday 30th of May at 11am! This friendly, informal group is open to anyone aged 18+. Just bring along a book you’re reading or that you’ve read — one you loved, hated, or are still thinking about — and be ready to chat about it over a slice of cake. Don’t worry if you don’t have the physical book to bring, we’ll hand you a piece of paper to write the title in! Each session will run for around an hour and a half and is all about sharing stories, discovering new reads, and connecting with others who love books in all their forms. No pressure, no set reading list — just good conversations. Come along and bring your book! Details: Dates/Times????️ 30th May 2026, Saturday 11:00am Tickets ????️ FREE/registration required https://octoberbooks.lemonbooking.com/events/147/details