We hope everyone has a relaxing break over the Easter weekend with plenty of reading matter in the mix. If you’re looking for somewhere different to go – or to read – you may like to take a leaf or two out of Ben Aitken’s new book Sh*tty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities.
Not everything that glitters is gold, which is exactly why Ben Aitken gave London the cold shoulder and went to Preston instead. The insatiably candid and hilarious author of A Chip Shop in Poznan and The Gran Tour took off on a year-long tour of twelve of the least popular spots in the UK and Ireland for a city break. Ben’s motivation wasn’t to poke fun but rather to demonstrate that anywhere – like anyone – has hidden treasures and stories to tell, and can be nourishing and enjoyable if approached in the right way.
Ben went skiing in Sunderland, to the football in Wrexham, fell in love with Dunfermline, kissed an alpaca in Bradford, and ate jellied eels in Chelmsford, to name but some of his adventures. To find out more, join Ben for his author event at Basildon Library on 20th June. We can’t wait to find out what he made of the jellied eels in Chelmsford and Basildon!
Watch a short film of Ben’s weekend in Chelmsford.
Celebrating our Independent bookshops
Essex Book Festival was thrilled to hear that our two festival booksellers were shortlisted for the East England Independent Bookshop of the Year Award(2025).
That’s Red Lion Books in Colchester and Maldon Books in Maldon. No mean feat when our high streets are more challenged than ever! We were even more delighted that Maldon Books was named the best Independent Bookshop in East England.
Maldon Books is partnering with us on our 1st Criminally Good Day at Maldon Town Hall on Sunday 8th June. One thing’s for sure, we are in safe hands for bookselling on the day. Why not seize the day and join us for what promises to be a fabulously intriguing day with authors Stig Abell, Cara Hunter and Maldon debut author Sarah Hornsley.
