Play chess with Sally Rooney*
And drink with Oisín McKenna
*’s new novel
I’M ALLERGIC TO BUNTING. With apologies to a legion of hard-working publicists, most “POS” (point-of-sale material to promote new books), from flimsy bookmarks to themed pencils, makes me want to scream. And, with apologies to National Trust properties across the nation, bunting sets me off more than anything else.
Perhaps it’s that one of my first jobs was to write “mood pieces” about big occasions, so I’ve seen more of the stuff than even your average wedding photographer. Perhaps I’m just a killjoy.
But some book-publication wheezes are more fun than others. And when the clever clogs at Faber asked me if we’d be up for hosting a chess party to celebrate the paperback launch of Intermezzo, the Sally Rooney novel about the relationship between two brothers, one of whom is a socially awkward chess player, even I couldn’t say no.
Rooney herself won’t be joining (sorry!), but we’ll raise a glass — and a pawn to B4 — in her absence.
Scroll on for more details on that, and all our upcoming events.
Sally Rooney chess night
Friday 23rd May, 5pm-6.30pm OR 6.30pm-8pm
Come and celebrate the paperback launch of Sally Rooney's fourth novel, Intermezzo, with an evening of chess and drinks at Backstory.
Whether you’re a novice or a keen player wanting to brush up on your skills, book your slot and join the fun. Chess sets will be provided on each table.
Chess coach Konstantinos Delidimoudis will be circulating, offering tips and advice.
Each ticket is for 2 people and includes a drink on arrival (beer, small glass of wine or non-alcoholic alternative) and one copy per pair of the paperback edition of Intermezzo.
The spies who stayed put
Shaun Walker, The Illegals
Tuesday 20th May, 7.30pm
Guardian journalist Shaun Walker tells the story of Russian spies still in America ten years after the Cold War was meant to have ended, which ultimately shines a light on our current political climate.
The book brings this real-life spy thriller to life with interviews and insights from the archives. Hear directly from Shaun about his research process and the characters he met along the way.
Come and test your listening skills
Alice Vincent, Hark
Wednesday 21st May, 7.30pm
We’re very excited to welcome back Alice Vincent to discuss her latest book, Hark. Vincent’s previous book, Why Women Grow, was such a hit among Backstory customers and booksellers alike. She is a brilliant writer and journalist, with an eye for exploring things we often take for granted.
In Hark, she turns her eye to how women listen. Are women better at listening? We live in a world of such sensory overload, but Vincent asks whether sound is the key to reconnecting us to the world in which we live.
What your data says about you
Georgina Sturge, Sum of Us: A History of the UK in Data
Tuesday 27th May, 7.30pm
Ever wondered what data and numbers have to do with history? House of Commons Library statistician and author of Bad Data Georgina Sturge will be here to reveal the stories behind the data from the revolutionary first census of 1801 to modern worries over technological surveillance.
Full of fascinating social detail, Sum of Us untangles the data the UK has collected over two centuries, and finds those who are missing, whether through prejudice or protest. It provides a vital snapshot not of who we imagine ourselves to be – but who we really are.
Learn about how global trade is supposed to work (bring Mr Trump?)
Ben Chu, Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails
Tuesday 3rd June, 7.30pm
This is a very timely opportunity to hear from BBC journalist Ben Chu, a former Economics Editor of Newsnight and now policy and analysis correspondent for the corporation.
As Donald Trump takes a blow torch to free trade, Chu explains how the system is supposed to work, through the global journeys made by various commodities. What happens, Chu asks, if globalisation fails?
All welcome, from economics geeks to those simply curious about how the world actually works.
This book is bonkers but brilliant
Ferdia Lennon, Glorious Exploits
Monday 9th June, 7.30pm
Glorious Exploits is one of the most original debut novels of recent years. It is certainly the most bonkers.
This mad, sad, funny, brilliant book is about two unemployed potters in 400BC Syracuse who decide to stage Euripides with Greek prisoners of war. It explores the piercing quality of art and storytelling in times of war.
Author Ferdia Lennon will chat with our bookseller Savannah, the book’s first in-house champion at Backstory, about classics, comedy and cracking yarns.
Sex in the city
Oisín McKenna, Evenings and Weekends
Tuesday 17th June, 7.30pm
Backstory favourite Evenings and Weekends is now out in paperback. To celebrate, we’re bringing in its author, Oisín McKenna.
This lovely, lively book spins together a cast of characters across a three day London heatwave. From love, sex and friendship to class and economic precarity, this is a vivid portrait of a contemporary, queer London. It’s sure to be a buzzy night.
Another big name at Backstory…
Miranda Cowley Heller, What the Deep Water Knows
Tuesday 24th June, 7.30pm
Miranda Cowley Heller is one of publishing’s breakout stars of the decade. Her debut novel, The Paper Palace, has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide since its release in 2021. Before turning her hand to fiction, she was Head of Drama Series at HBO, developing and overseeing The Wire, The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.
We’re so excited that she is jetting across the Atlantic to celebrate the release of her debut poetry collection, What the Deep Water Knows, a series of reflections on love in all its seasons; on a woman’s experience of her family, her marriage, her surroundings, her mortality, her sensuality and her imagination.
Join us for a reading and to chat books, poetry — and telly.
Want more Backstory?
Request a book to pick up in the shop (we can usually get a book for the next day)
Order a book from our website
Happy reading,
Tom
I don't play chess, but I know creative bunting when I see it-- do let us know how it all turns out! 👍😅