November with Richmond Libraries

Richmond Reads

Conjuring up the past

Let Sunday Times bestselling authors Elizabeth Macneal and AJ West take you on an enthralling exploration of their latest historical fiction masterpieces.  

They will discuss their immaculately researched and spine-tingling thrillers The Burial Plot and The Betrayal of Thomas True. Embark on an adventure from the grandeur of Victorian Twickenham and the grand houses by the river Thames to the underbelly of Georgian London and infamous molly houses. Discover the inspiration behind these tales, including the iconic Strawberry Hill House.

'A thriller and a vivid exploration of a largely forgotten aspect of London's past, this is as compelling as West's debut' -The Times on The Betrayal of Thomas True

'Ingenious' -The Sunday Times on The Burial Plot

This is your chance to peek behind the curtain and discover how literary magicians conjure up worlds so vivid, you’ll swear you’ve travelled through time.

A book signing follows this event, in partnership with Books on the Rise.

The path to publishing – friendly tips from industry insiders

Whether you are an aspiring author or simply interested in the inner workings of the world of publishing, join a panel of industry experts to discover how books are launched into the world. You will learn how to pitch a book to a literary agent, discover what books the publishers want, or find out how to self-publish your book.

Secrets of the book industry – behind the scenes in the world of publishing

Join a panel of publishing professionals to learn about the process of getting books to readers – from cover creation to marketing ideas and beyond. This event is perfect for published authors, writers awaiting their breakthrough or those who want a sneak peek behind the scenes of publishing. Hear how a cover designer turn concepts into reality and discover top tips from marketing experts and PR specialists about how they make books stand out in a crowded market.

An evening with Clare Chambers

Award winning author Clare Chambers talks to Emily Rhodes about her celebrated writing career, including her latest novel, Shy Creatures. This life-affirming story explores themes of love, family, freedom, and the transformative power of kindness.

After the conversation enjoy a book signing in collaboration with Books on the Rise.

Greek Myths brought to life - Storytelling for grown-ups

Embark on a mythical journey with storytelling virtuoso Wendy Shearer as she breathes life into Greek legends. Experience the magic of one of Britain’s finest storytellers live at the library and let your imagination sail to another world. Suitable for ages 14 and over.

Crime writing workshop with Vaseem Khan

Do you have a story idea itching to become a novel? This interactive workshop is your chance to dive into the world of crime fiction, led by award-winning author Vaseem Khan. You’ll learn practical tips for creating and editing your work plus strategies to make your work shine when submitting it to agents and publishers.

Fall of Civilizations

Historian and broadcaster, Paul Cooper, has captivated millions with his Fall of Civilizations podcast. In his new book, Cooper’s meticulous research and empathetic storytelling paints a vivid picture of societies triumphs and collapses. Explore history’s most profound lessons at this unmissable event. 

A book signing follows this event, in partnership with Books on the Rise.

Craft your own unique decorations

Learn to make stunning Christmas decorations from recycled books with professional artist Gill Smith. She’ll guide you through the creative process and you’ll take home a beautiful, self-made decoration. All material is provided, no experience is required.

Explore the world of Art Nouveau

Step into the world of Art Nouveau with Mark Lewis. Developed in Europe this new style of art and architecture was characterised by a spectrum of contradictory images and ideas. Explore its origins, the key exponents of the movement and its eventual demise.

The Reminiscence Café meets monthly to celebrate history and culture and is a great opportunity to socialise and meet other residents. 

Digital Drop-ins

Richmond Reads Reading Challenge 2024

Library members can be in with a chance to win a Danieli’s gift card and a brand new book to keep in our 3 book challenge.

The Current

The Current is our exciting collection of electrifying reads for young people aged 15+. The full list contains 30 brilliant books, read and approved by our Children's Librarians.

Brand new for this year, our YouTube videos are available to watch now!

Split into genres and delivered by Librarians, Evie and Emily, our 6 YouTube videos are the perfect way to discover new stories and authors. Dip in and out or watch the whole playlist, then borrow the books from the library to read physically or on your device!

All of the titles are available from our libraries, and many can be borrowed from our Digital Library.

Little Seedlings

At Little Seedlings Gardening Club, you won’t get in trouble for digging in the dirt! Have fun out in nature learning about plants and how to take care of them in Ham Library’s community garden.

These free sessions are open to children aged 4 to 7 accompanied by an adult.

CoderDojo

Richmond CoderDojo is a free coding club open to young people aged 7 to 17 with sessions on Scratch, HTML, Python, and using micro:bits.

CoderDojo is an open source, volunteer-led global movement running free coding clubs for children and young people. At Dojos, young people learn how to develop websites, apps, and games; or program robots and other electronic devices. Dojos are set up and led by volunteers.

In addition to learning to code, members meet like-minded people and share their coolest projects with 'show and tell' sessions. Our aim is to make development and learning to code a fun and sociable experience.  

CCTV Installation

Please be aware that a number of our libraries will be closing for a day or two to enable CCTV installation over the next few months. Please check opening hours on our website before visiting to avoid disappointment.