Poetry / News
An evening of verse: poetry reading at Heron Books
Nestled in Clifton Arcade off Boyce’s Avenue, Heron Books is one of Bristol’s smallest bookshops.
On Saturday, the independent store will host its monthly evening of poetry. The event will feature readings from the acclaimed contemporary poet Glyn Maxwell and rising talent Kaycee Hill.
Heron Books is located in the Clifton Arcade – photo: Heron Books
Glyn Maxwell, who has earned a variety of literary awards, will share poetry from his various collections. His work includes The Big Calls, a fusion of traditional form and contemporary critique, and How the Hell Are You, a collection of poems written to family members.
Maxwell’s poetry combines traditional formal structures like meter and rhyme with the exploration of contemporary themes. Former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, writes about The Big Calls, “[he] locks himself up in the traditional forms of English verse and throws away the key; only to escape before our very eyes.”
Joining him is Kaycee Hill, whose debut collection Hot Sauce was recently published by Bloodaxe Books. Hill, described as a “working-class mixed heritage poet,” explores themes of identity and vulnerability, drawing inspiration from her experiences as a woman in a small town.
The urban poetry, in Hot Sauce, is praised by poet Aviva Dautch as “always awake to the beauty that can be found in unexpected places”.
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Heron Books’ poetry evening coincides with National Bookshop Day, a campaign by The Booksellers Association (BA) to celebrate UK bookshops.
This year’s theme, ‘Bookshops Making a Difference’, emphasises the role of bookshops in enriching local communities, from being a safe space for promoting literacy to hosting events that connect authors and readers.
The BA encourages readers to visit their local stores and enjoy the tangible experience of browsing shelves, engaging with knowledgeable staff, and discovering new authors.
Heron Books was recently named a reader favourite by the Times, reflecting its beloved place in Bristol’s vibrant literary scene.
Last year local bookshops, including Bookhaus in Wapping Wharf, Max Minerva’s in Henleaze, and Storysmith in Bedminster, were also recognized as finalists in the British Book Awards.
Main photo: Heron Books
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