Secret Book Swap | North Berwick | No.1 | April 2025

Books We Swapped:

Held – Anne Michaels. A poetic and fragmented novel spanning generations, Held explores love, loss, and resilience across the 20th century and beyond. Through interwoven stories and historical moments, Michaels delves into the enduring impact of trauma and the redemptive power of connection.
Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo. A vibrant and polyphonic novel following the lives of twelve characters—mostly Black British women—as they navigate identity, heritage, and society over decades. Evaristo's innovative narrative celebrates diversity and interconnectedness in contemporary Britain.
A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness. A captivating blend of history and fantasy, this novel follows historian Diana Bishop as she uncovers a bewitched manuscript, thrusting her into a hidden world of witches, vampires, and daemons. As she embraces her own magical heritage, Diana's journey becomes a tale of forbidden love and ancient secrets.
Rivers of London – Ben Aaronovitch. An urban fantasy detective story where rookie cop Peter Grant discovers a hidden magical world within London. As he trains in wizardry and investigates supernatural crimes, Peter uncovers the city's mystical undercurrents and its river deities.
The Diary of a Bookseller – Shaun Bythell. A witty and candid chronicle of life in a Scottish second-hand bookshop, Bythell shares the daily eccentricities of bookselling, from quirky customers to the challenges of the trade, offering a humorous glimpse into the world of rare books.
The Life Impossible – Matt Haig. A heartwarming tale of rediscovery, following Grace Winters, a retired teacher who inherits a house in Ibiza. As she uncovers the mysteries of her past and embraces new beginnings, Grace's journey becomes a testament to the transformative power of change and connection.
Wahala – Nikki May. A sharp and entertaining exploration of friendship and identity among three Anglo-Nigerian women in London. Their bond is tested when a glamorous outsider infiltrates their circle, revealing secrets and stirring tensions. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories of complex relationships and cultural intersections.
The Fair Botanists – Sara Sheridan. Set in 1820s Edinburgh, this historical novel intertwines the lives of two women brought together by the arrival of a rare plant. As they navigate societal expectations and personal ambitions, their story blossoms into one of friendship, intrigue, and botanical wonder.

Guest Author - Michelle Hogg

We were delighted to welcome Michelle along, not only did she join in with our secret swap but she shared her story of becoming a writer and even gave us a reading from her latest book, ‘Finding Life’s Meaning in Your Mum Pants’ which had us all in tears of laughter.

Michelle describes this book as ‘fiction mixed with reality, a humorous take on parenthood, following the main character as they go through life as a single parent whilst trying to find their own life purpose.” She has also written and published two humorous rhyming story books for children and has visited with local schools to do live reading sessions and creative worksheets. In lockdown, Michelle linked up virtually to a classroom to read with the children, they sent over their own versions of her story and what the characters had gone on to do next.

Michelle’s writing purpose relates to healing and starting again after trauma and through her work she aims to uplift others through the power of storytelling.

Find out more

Michelle's Book

Banned Book Reading

As this was our first banned book reading at North Berwick, we shared the same reading we did at our first event in Currie. You can read about it in our post on that evening here.

Join us at future secret book swaps:

Tickets