Events at Stanfords – Stanfords Blog

Author Event with André Rostant and Dom Joly

Last night we hosted a fascinating evening talking about André Rostant’s book The Muffin Man.

The Muffin Man is a frank exploration into the lives of those at the heart of bohemian Soho, told from the perspective of George, a fictional Big Issue Vendor in Soho. This story sheds a much needed light on the most pressing issues in society today and the still desperate need for change.

Dom Joly spoke to André about how his book is fiction but very much based on the lives of those who frequent Soho and about how communities in London can change so much that these people who have lived there their whole lives can be like tourists in their own areas.

Thank you to everyone who attended. We are donating all ticket proceeds and a percentage of book sales to the Big Issue.

If you were unable to attend this event but would like to make a donation to support the Big Issue, please click here

We have signed copies of The Muffin Man by André Rostant and The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World by Dom Joly available while stocks last.

Dom Joly talks to André Rostant about The Muffin Man

Stanfords x Big Issue Event: The Muffin Man: A conversation with André Rostant and Dom Joly

Date and time: Thursday 9th January 2025. 19:00 – 20:30

Location: Stanfords London, 7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, WC2H 9FA

As Stanfords has been a well-known name in London since 1853 we’ve managed to build a real network of friends in the community from other local businesses to friendly faces of people working and living in the area. One of those faces that many of you may well know is André Rostant, the Big Issue vendor who is a published author and poet.

To celebrate André’s book The Muffin Man, published earlier this year, he will be in conversation here at Stanfords, Covent Garden with the author and comedian Dom Joly. Join us for a brilliant and insightful evening talking about André’s book and raising awareness and support for the Big Issue.

Book Launch: The Search For Carmella by Chloe Savage

Last night we hosted the award winning author and illustrator Chloe Savage for the launch of her new book The Search For Carmella published by Walker Books.

Dr Rose dreams of finding a great, mysterious beast. Legends say it has enormous crimson tentacles and roams the deepest, darkest oceans. They call it… Carmella.

A perfect blend of science and magic this is abeautifully detailed book about wonder, bravery, and the freedom to pursue your curiosity. With an iconic female lead, we love the underlying message of mindfulness and relishing in the journey. Watch out for those crabs!

The Search for Carmella is available now for £12.99

Author Talk: In the Footsteps of Smugglers by Georgina Howard

Last night we hosted a sold out talk with Georgina Howard who spoke about her new book In the Footsteps of Smugglers published by Bradt.

“It was the enigmatic mountain paths winding their way from one Basque village to the next along smugglers’ tracks and over humpback bridges that seduced us all…”

In 2022 Georgina Howard co-presented a programme on the Basque Pyrenees with Michael Portillo. This book is her travel memoir, ‘In the Footsteps of Smugglers’, about her life in a remote Basque hamlet of the Spanish Pyrenees. Twenty-five years ago, Georgina moved into an isolated barn in a tiny, close-knit community of Basque shepherds. Taking this eccentric British woman and single mother into the fold, her neighbours helped her raise her Basque/English daughter, Marion, transform her barn into an international walking and language company and introduce her deep into the enigmatic and little-known Basque mountain culture.

The story then follows Georgina’s footfall into the Spanish/French borderlands of the Pyrenees and the heart of the former Basque smuggling fraternity. She has guided people the world over along these smugglers’ trails and focused her research on the WW2 escape routes of the Comet Line that led Allied airmen out of occupied France in to Spain. Speaking Spanish, French and Basque, she has formed personal relationships with the last remaining members of this 1941 – 1944 resistance network – then mere children – and their stories of fear, courage and secrecy are documented in detail within the pages of her book. With the help of colourful vignettes and deep anthropological insight, ‘In the Footsteps of Smugglers’ digs deep behind the scenes into all things quintessentially Basque. It also offers a rhapsody in cultural identity as this cosmopolitan nomad, and single mother, finally turns to the Basque shepherds to find home.

In the Footsteps of Smugglers is available now for £10.99

Author Talk: The Good the Bad and the Gringo by Kae Bahar

Last week we hosted a wonderful launch event where we heard from writer and filmmaker Kae Bahar who introduced his fascinating novel The Good, The Bad and The Gringo, a captivating tale of a young Kurdish man growing up in Iraq, confused about his gender and Saddam’s cruel terror.

Finding Solace from Saddam’s terror in the world of Cinema.

Growing up as a Kurd in Saddam’s Iraq, Merywan feels he doesn’t belong to this twisted society, but finds inspiration and comfort in the magic world of cinema.

He secretly writes letters to his hero, Clint Eastwood, whom he calls Gringo, begging him to help him escape to America. As his plans are disrupted, Merywan is drawn deeper into a roller – coaster ride of savagery, passion, betrayal and heroism, which makes the movies he adores almost seem trivial by comparison.

Author Talk: History of Cities in Maps by Philip Parker

We were delighted to welcome Philip Parker back to Stanfords on Thursday to talk about his new book History of Cities in Maps.

From ancient civilizations to modern-day metropolises, maps have played a crucial role in urban progress.

Stanfords Event: Table Talk with Tiffany Murray and Travis Elborough

On Thursday we hosted the second of our Table Talks – which include wine, delicious nibbles and fabulous conversation around the table, talking about all things books, travel and life journeys.

We were thrilled to welcome authors Tiffany Murray and Travis Elborough talking about Tiffany’s new book My Family and Other Rock Stars sharing stories, recipes, songs and experiences, a fun evening not to be missed.

Author Talk: How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying

We had a moving and insightful event here at Stanfords on Wednesday evening hearing all about How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying with Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko and her fight for Ukraine and author and journalist Lara Marlowe.

Lara Marlowe first interviewed Lieutenant Mykytenko in 2023, for an article about women in the Ukrainian military for The Irish Times. Marlowe described Mykytenko as ‘one of the most extraordinary people I have interviewed in 42 years of journalism’. How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying offers a rare, first-hand insight into the lives of Ukrainian soldiers defending their homeland against Russian aggression and highlights the contribution of women to the Ukrainian military.

Author Talk: An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia by Nicholas Mackey

It was a full house at Stanfords last night as we went on an extraordinary journey through south-east Türkiye with Nicholas Mackey and his new book An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia .

Author Talk: ‘Daybreak in Gaza’ with Matthew Teller and Mahmoud Muna

Last night we hosted conversation with editors Matthew Teller and Mahmoud Muna talking about their new book Daybreak in Gaza, an incredible and insightful collection of stories of Palestinian lives and culture. They were joined by guests Jayyab Abusafia and Juliette Touma, contributors to this book.

Daybreak in Gaza is a record of extraordinary places and people, and of a culture preserved by the people themselves. Vignette of artists, acrobats, doctors, students, shopkeepers and teachers offer stories of love, life, loss and survival. They display the wealth of Gaza’s cultural landscape and breadth of its history.