The Grove Bookshop

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

We love it when visiting authors come and say hello. Here's Kathryn Sharman, who popped in today and signed copies of her books. 'The Family at No. 23' and 'The Second Home' (just published) have been popular with our customers. Find them on our 4 for 3 table and in our crime and thriller section. If you like an addictive pageturner, these come highly recommended.

A taste of The Second Home:

'I feel the sea breeze on my face as I turn the final corner of the steep track down the hill. In front of me, the sun sparkles off the pale blue water and the golden sand stretches out across the bay.

As I approach the house, I can already hear the builders hard at work turning the run-down villa into a stylish summer getaway.

It has taken years to convince my husband we needed our own place for our annual family vacations to the coast. Finally, my dream second home is all mine.

But no one, especially not my husband, knows what I have planned for this house. Or how far I will go to get what I want...'

Are these on your reading wishlist? 📚

07/08/2026

📣 Calling Ilkley's football and travel fans! 👇

Football fans, this one’s for you 🥳⚽

06/08/2026

Today marks 81 years since the atomic bomb landed on the Japanese city of Hiroshima at 8.15am. Methodist minister Kiyoshi Tanimoto was helping a neighbour on the outskirts of the city when the bomb exploded but, as Tanimoto recalled in his memoir, 'not one person knew it was an atomic bomb'.

That day, while desperately searching for his wife and child, he witnessed the utter devastation of his church, home and neighbourhood. Many of those who survived the initial impact subsequently died of their injuries or succumbed to the atomic disease.

Through it all, Tanimoto bore witness. He was later described as an 'angel' for his courageous work helping survivors In the days and months that followed. He was also one of the six survivors featured in John Hersey's Hiroshima (1946) and dedicated his life to helping those who had survived the bomb.

Tanimoto wrote his memoir in the immediate aftermath of the bomb, but his manuscript was lost for many decades until it was rediscovered in a university archive. It's now published with a foreword by his daughter, Koko Tanimoto Kondo.

Find Hiroshima, 8.15 in our history section, pictured here with the painstaikingly researched 'The Hiroshima Men' by Iain MacGregor and classic account 'The Bells of Nagasaki' by survivor Takashi Nagai.

05/08/2026

Footie fans of Ilkley, you won't want to miss this! ⚽️

Rob Potts, former sports journalist and author of 'A Football Odyssey', will be with us from 7-8.30pm on Thursday, 3 September, in conversation with fellow football fan Duncan Quinton about passion, politics and the beautiful game. Rob will also be signing copies of his book, which explores over 80 football clubs from around the world, and the communities they have built.

The book is written by fans, for fans - filled with interesting tales and useful tips on how to get to various clubs, where to stay, and where to find the cheapest pint and a pie. It's the perfect book to dip into, and a great source of inspiration for the travelling football fan.

If you like the sound of this one, tickets are £7 and available via the link in our bio. Refreshments will be served. Our events are relaxed and friendly, with time at the end for audience questions. See you there 👋.

The Global Groundhopper

04/08/2026

We had a lovely visit from author Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton yesterday. We now have signed copies of his debut historical love story, 'Beyond the Edge of Light'. Find it on our front table.

A bit about the book:

Munich, 1938. Europe is on the brink of war when Julia 'Missie' Ormesby, a young Englishwoman, meets Conrad von Echlau, a German aristocrat whose conscience is increasingly at odds with the country he serves.

Their connection is instant, consuming — and impossible. As war unfolds, they are forced apart: Conrad returns to the Luftwaffe, while Missie's fluency in German leads her to Bletchley Park. But after Conrad is assigned a secret German mission, their paths cross again, and Missie has some difficult choices to make...

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton has had a long and varied career. He served for twenty years in the British army, first in the Irish Guards and later as a troop and squadron commander in the SAS. He has also worked with charities focussed on veterans' welfare, education and mine clearance. Until 2014, he spent 10 yearals as private secretary to Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge. He told us he developed a passion for reading while serving, when he read the Russian classics. No wonder his first novel is an epic love story!

We reckon Beyond the Edge of Light will be popular with fans of Anthony Doerr's 'All the Light We Cannot See' and Kristin Hannah's 'The Nightingale'. Thanks again for popping in, and for the delicious treats, Jamie 🙏.

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton

03/08/2026

Bookseller Liz was thrilled to meet food historian Dr Annie Gray last week. She popped in with a friend for a browse and kindly signed her books, 'The Kitchen Cabinet' and 'The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: a history of the high street'. She also told us about her upcoming projects, including the brilliantly-titled 'Nice Buns!', due out in 2028.

If you're a fan, pop in soon to get your signed copy of Annie's books - we doubt these will hang around for long.

Thanks again for popping in, Annie. You're welcome back any time 📚.

Annie Gray

02/08/2026

Look who popped in to see us last weekend! It was a pleasure to meet Robin Stevens, whose Murder Most Unladylike series is beloved by so many young readers (the books were certainly a staple in our household and one of my go-to recommendations).

Robin was with us to drop off a proof copy of her new book - a murder mystery for readers aged 16+ - and it sounds brilliant. 'Almost the Whole Truth' is out next summer.

We're looking forward to this one... More than a traditional murder mystery, this book is about Alice Mildmay's race to prove her innocence after a journalist digs up fresh evidence about the murder of a TV star.

Thanks for popping in, Robin 🙏.

Robin Stevens