Join us for an evening in our Manchester store with novelist Simon Van Booy in honor of Sipsworth, one of Northshire’s favorite books of the year.

The evening will begin with a dessert and tea social hosted by Van Booy & the Northshire staff. Join us for cake, imported English tea from the author’s collection, and other sweet treats.

After dessert, Van Booy will discuss his work with Northshire co-owner Nicole Ihasz.

“Some novels transcend words of praise and inspire a sense of awe in the reader. In its beautifully wrought simplicity, Sipsworth is that kind of novel.” — Alden Graves

“Helen Cartwright is an 80 year old woman, a shadow of her former self, who encounters and, eventually, befriends the most unexpected of companions: a mouse. Sipsworth shines a hopeful light on humanity and the wonderful results our propensity to give second chances can have. Ultimately this sweet, simple, and masterfully written story asks us to reflect on what it means to be human. I consider it an absolute must-read!” — Jess Hunsicker

“Beautiful and enchanting” — Washington Post

Sometimes a second chance comes in the most unexpected way….

Following the loss of her husband and son, Helen Cartwright returns to the village of her childhood after living abroad for six decades. Her only wish is to die quickly and without fuss. She retreats into her home on Westminster Crescent, becoming a creature of routine and habit: “Each day was an impersonation of the one before with only a slight shuffle— as though even for death there is a queue.”

Then, one cold winter night, a chance encounter with a mouse sets Helen on a surprising journey. Over the course of two weeks in a small English town, this reclusive widow discovers an unexpected reason to live.

Sipsworth is a reminder that there is always reason for hope. No matter what we have planned for ourselves, sometimes life has plans of its own. With profound compassion, Simon Van Booy illuminates not only a deep friendship forged between two lonely creatures, but the reverberations of goodness that ripple out from that unique bond.

Simon Van Booy is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen books for adults and children, including The Illusion of Separateness and The Presence of Absence. Simon is the editor of three volumes of philosophy and has written for The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, and the BBC. His books have been translated into many languages and optioned for film. Raised in rural North Wales, he currently lives in New York where he is also a book editor and a volunteer E.M.T. crew chief.

Ticket purchasers will receive a coupon valid for a five dollar discount on Sipsworth if purchased in our Manchester store at the event on November 16.

Visit Northshire’s website to reserve your spot!

If you have questions about this or any other Northshire event, please e-mail us at events@northshire.com.