Teasel & Skylark

14/08/2026

Here is the August edition of our monthly newsletter - Skylarking!

https://www.teaselandskylark.com/news/4ej5emsq8w58taaqaxavbvpv1bprgh

Subscribers to our website get sent the newsletter early each month and so, if you'd like to receive this every month, please head to our website and sign up for updates.

Find your next great read with Teasel and Skylark!

Discover Dorchester Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Books Are My Bag Dorchester: News and Views

Here is our monthly newsletter for August 2026

11/08/2026

What better time of year to read Tove Jansson’s enchanting novel, The Summer Book, than in the middle of summer!

Better known, of course, for the timeless and wonderful Moomins, Tove also wrote for adults, this being her own personal favourite.

The main characters, a young girl and her grandmother, are based on her own mother and niece and provide a brilliantly quirky inter-generational double act, sometimes warm and friendly and sometimes just delightfully spiky and brusque!

You’ll love the way it gently meanders beautifully, and philosophically, through each chapter, whilst quietly navigating through their relational issues, underscored by an untacked about bereavement.

Released soon as a film starring Glenn Close, I recommend this book if you want a beautiful, thought-provoking, and slightly quirky summer read.

08/08/2026

In more good news during our birthday week, I'm delighted to announce that we're expecting!

No, not Richard or I, but one of my beautiful golden retrievers, Opal, who is due to have her puppies at the end of August, a scarily short time away!

She's keeping really well and asked us to keep everyone updated so watch this space!
🐶🎉

08/08/2026

There's cake, sweets, and balloons ... which must mean that we are celebrating our first birthday with 10% off all books all day and, if you're around at 11am, get a slice of birthday cake before we run out. Thanks for all of your amazing support and see you soon!

Discover Dorchester Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Books Are My Bag Dorchester: News and Views

07/08/2026

Want to know which children's books sold the most in July 2026? Well, wonder no more dear viewer ... as here we discuss all of the books which have been pleasing our younger readers over the past month.

If you simply must know what they are right now, then spoilers follow:

10. Woodlore by Kevin Parr
9. Grimwood by Nadia Shireen
8. Monsieur Mustard by Charley Rabbit
7. Pog and Pickle's Great Escape by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton
6. Investigators by John Patrick Green
5. Ant Party by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton
4. Mirabelle and the Enchanted Sea Globe by Harriet Muncaster
3. Mouse by the Sea by Alice Melvin
2. The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling by Liv Albert
1. Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey

Discover Dorchester Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Books Are My Bag Dorchester: News and Views

05/08/2026

You may have seen a recent article on the BBC website about 'Great Things - Hardy's Hostelries' by Dr Tracy Hayes and Syd Braham, which celebrates the inns, pubs and taverns referenced in Hardy's writing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5dpeyg4k6o

As we hosted the book launch with the authors last week, we've been getting a fair few enquiries about where people can purchase a copy of this fascinating book. We can confirm that we are fully stocked up with copies of the book so just pop in if you want to buy a copy - if you can't pop in the shop, send us an email and we can discuss posting the book to you (within the UK).

Find your next great read with Teasel and Skylark!

may have seen a recent article on the BBC website about 'Great Things - Hardy's Hostelries' by Dr Tracy Hayes and Syd Braham, which celebrates the inns, pubs and taverns referenced in Hardy's writing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5dpeyg4k6o

As we hosted the book launch with the authors last week, we've been getting a fair few enquiries about where people can purchase a copy of this fascinating book. We can confirm that we are fully stocked up with copies of the book so just pop in if you want to buy a copy - if you can't pop in the shop, send us an email and we can discuss posting the book to you (within the UK).

Find your next great read with Teasel and Skylark!

Dorchester: News and Views Discover Dorchester Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Books Are My Bag

04/08/2026

Happy Birthday to Us,
Happy Birthday to Us,
Happy Birthday dear Teasel & Skylark,
Happy Birthday to Us

Yes, we've made it through our first year and today marks a year since we first opened our doors to the public on 4th August 2025.

It's been quite the year and we want to thank all of our brilliant customers. So, join us any time between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday for 10% off all books, sweets, treats, and - if you're around at 11am - maybe a slice of birthday cake (while it lasts!)

Thanks for your support over the past year and hope to see you on Saturday if not before. Cheers, Richard and David

Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Discover Dorchester Dorchester: News and Views Books Are My Bag

03/08/2026

Here are our Top 10 bestselling books for July 2026 ... is your favourite on the list?

If you're feeling impatient and can't wait to get to the top of the charts, then spoilers follow:

10. The Book of Birds by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
9. RSPB Pocket Book of Hedgehogs by Hugh Warwick
8. An Almost Impossible Thing by Fiona Davison
7. The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer
6. The Eights by Joanna Miller
5. The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
4. What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
3. Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson
2. Heart the Lover by Lily KIng
1. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

A great mix of nature-writing and perfect summer reads ... thanks for watching. Stay tuned for our Top 10 Children's Books for July later this week ...

Find your next great read with Teasel & Skylark Books!

Books Are My Bag Dorchester: News and Views Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Discover Dorchester

31/07/2026

Good news book lovers of Dorchester!

Teasel & Skylark Books is now going to be open on Mondays during August - from 9.30am to 4.30pm - meaning more Teasel and more Skylark than ever!

Plus it's our first birthday next week so stay tuned for special offers, treats and cake!

If you've never been in before, now's the perfect time to find us so call in and say hello. We're located in Trinity Street ... Dorchester's street of amazing independent businesses which is only a short stroll from the high street.

FInd your next great read with Teasel & Skylark Books!

Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Discover Dorchester Books Are My Bag

29/07/2026

A big 'Teasel and Skylark' thank you to Tracy Hayes and Syd Braham, authors of 'Great Things - Hardy's Hostelries', for their hugely enjoyable book launch last night. An enthusiastic crowd heard about how the idea for the book came about and the research that went into writing it.

A celebration of Hardy's pubs and their denizens, the book includes reviews of those that are still trading today. Why not buy yourself a copy of the book and plan your very own Thomas Hardy pub crawl this summer - books are available to buy in the shop.

We'd really like to thank the amazing Tom Browns for hosting the event and also everyone who came along to support the book launch - we hope you enjoyed the evening.

FInd your next great read with Teasel & Skylark Books!


Dorchester: News and Views Discover Dorchester Dorchester, Thomas Hardy Country Books Are My Bag The Thomas Hardy Society