The Medina Blog
4th Isle Of Wight Book Awards Now Open
From the 1st April writers will be able to submit their works for the 2025 Isle of Wight Book Awards. Now in their 4th year, the awards are open to anyone who had a book published in 2024 which is either about or set on the Island....
IOW Writers Jamboree
Organised by Medina Bookshop along with Creative Island and IW Creative Network, Monday’s inaugural meeting at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes was a great success, a packed room of over 100 writers abuzz with enthusiastic chatter. A succession of presenters told of...
Find Your Writing Tribe! 2023
It has been three years since our first post about writing groups on the Isle of Wight, and I think we can all agree that a LOT has changed since then! Sadly, many of the previous writing groups are no longer active but fear not! It turns out that there are even more...
Medina Bookshop at Isle of Wight Literary Festival
It's with great pleasure that we can announce that we will be the official bookseller at this year's Isle of Wight Literary Festival. Now in their 10th year the festival promises to be the best yet with a great line up of authors including Tracy Borman, Alan Johnson,...
Isle of Wight Book Awards
Medina Bookshop are delighted to be the main sponsors of the brand-new Isle of Wight Book Awards.
Not sure what to read next? Our new volunteer, Macy, has got you covered. She has reviewed her four favourite reads below. The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis Fans of the Netflix series should seriously consider reading the novel on which it is based. The...
An Evening With Roger Saunders
An Evening with Roger Sanders On 8th April, we're delighted to welcome local author Roger Sanders to the bookshop. A Newport resident, Roger is known to many as the name and face behind the Saunders Sports shop. Retired now, he has sat down and written his debut...
An Evening with Mark Rowe
An Evening with Mark Rowe Postponed from the 7th May, we're delighted to welcome professional travel writer Mark Rowe to the bookshop to coincide with the publication of his book Isle of Wight (Slow Travel): Local, Characterful Guides to Britain's Special Places. A...
Out on an Island
Out on an Island, the fantastic new book from Medina Publishing highlighting the stories of the LGBTQ+ community on the Isle of Wight
An Evening with Ruth Druart
An abridged version of the conversation between Ruth Druart and Paul Armfield about her bestselling novel, While Paris Slept.
An Evening with Ruth Druart
On 28th January we’re delighted to welcome bestselling author Ruth Druart to the bookshop for a special event
In Conversation with Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan
At the beginning of December Medina Bookshop proudly presented Olivier award-winning actress Celia Imrie and Royal Shakespeare Company actress Fidelis Morgan in conversation at the Island Sailing Club about their new Titanic inspired novel Orphans of the Storm.
In Conversation with Celia Imrie
Popular British actress and bestselling novelist Celia Imrie is heading to Cowes to talk about her latest novel ‘Orphans of the Storm’.
Lucy’s top autumn and winter debuts
From instant classics about the power of books to spooky spine-tinglers, Lucy’s top autumn and winter debuts picks have something for everyone
Lucy’s top picks of August’s debuts
From feminine-focused historical fiction to the memoir we all need to reach for in hard times, Lucy has selected a diverse range of titles from this months debut
Lucy’s Recent Fiction Reads
Unsure what fiction book to pick up next? Check out Lucy’s, reviews of her four most recent reads in her latest blog post.
Ask the author …with Julia Tuffs
We chatted with order Islander Julia Tuffs to celebrate the publication of her magical debut YA novel, Hexed, set on the Isle of Wight
Q and A with Stephan Roman
We caught up with author Stephan Roman to chat about his fascinating new book Isle and Empires, Romanov Russia, Britain and the Isle of Wight
Books that got me through lockdown with Jenny Pearson
Costa Award shortlisted children’s author Jenny Pearson shares with us the books that helped her through lockdown including a local favourite!
Book Review: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Our bookseller Lucy reviews Radio 2 Book Club Pick: The Authenticity Project
Books that got me through lockdown with Lil Nutter
Island artist Lil Nutter, whose is featured in the shops first art exhibition, shares with us the books that helped her through lockdown.
Ask the Author… with Bethan Christopher
With her latest ‘Book Rebel Beauty for Teens’ out this month, we caught up with IW author Bethan Christopher for our ‘Ask the Author’ series
Winners of our lockdown reading competition
We are delighted to announce the winners of our ‘Books that got me through lockdown’ competition.
Book Review: The Sight of You by Holly Miller
For our latest bookseller review find out what Lucy thought of the Richard and Judy Book Club pick ‘The Sight of You’ by Holly Miller.
Books that got me through lockdown with Lynne Truss
Bestselling author Lynne Truss shares with us the 5 books that got her through lockdown.
Lucy’s February Reading Round-Up
A great selection of fiction and non fiction is this round up of Lucy’s February reading pile.
Ask the Author with Heaton Wilson
We caught up with local crime writer Heaton Wilson to find out what he has been up to during lockdown and his latest book ‘Whatever it Takes’.
Book Review: People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd
Lucy reviews People Like Her, a suspenseful debut that asks are influencers really living their best life or is it all artful deception?
Paul’s Must Have Music Reads
If you love music and you love books our resident musician Paul has chosen for you his top six must have music reads that hit just the right note.
Paul’s January reading pile
Dark winter evenings are perfect for curling up with a book so here’s a look at the ones Paul has been reading during January.
Krissy’s top picks of the latest YA releases
As one of her favourite genres, Krissy has chosen some of her top picks of the latest YA releases to add to your TBR pile!
Upcoming books for history buffs
Dive into the past with our history buff Krissy as she takes a look at some of the history books to look out for over the coming months
This Valentine’s say ‘I Love You’ with words
This Valentine’s Day, ditch the flowers and chocolates and other hackneyed gestures and instead say ‘I Love You’ with words.
Review: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Part memoir, part inspiration, discover why our bookseller Krissy thinks Untamed is one of the most important books she has ever read.
Isle of Wight Story Festival 2021
We are delighted to be the official bookshop for the IW Story Festival, which is taking place online between 17th and 20th February 2021.
Books to read before they are adapted for the screen
Lucy chooses her top six books to read before they’re adapted for screen in 2021
Rise up – Novels to give you a lift
We’ve chosen some of the best novels to give you a lift as you curl up under the duvet during the cold, dark winter evenings.
Books We Need for 2021
After the tumultuous events of last year, our bookseller Paul takes a look at some of the books we need to be reading in 2021
Review: The Night I Met Father Christmas
Discover what Lucy thought of Ben Miller’s Christmas novel that tells the unexpected story of how Father Christmas became Father Christmas
Medina Bookshop is Bookshop of the Month!
We are delighted to have been named CABOODLE BOOKSHOP OF THE MONTH for
September!
Review: Autumn by Ali Smith
Katie reviews Autumn, the first instalment in Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet
Review: Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy
Katie reviews Lucie McKnight Hardy’s debut novel Water Shall Refuse Them.
Review: Where the River Runs Gold by Sita Brahmachari
Medina bookseller Katie reviews the young adult novel Where the River Runs Gold by Sita Brahmachari.
Review: The House Party by Mary Grand
Katie reviews Mary Grand’s brand new thriller The House Party which is set on the Isle of Wight.
Ask the Author with Mary Grand
Read about Isle of Wight author Mary Grand and what she got up to during lockdown.
Ask the Author with Glenda Young
For the latest in our Ask the Author series we chat with saga writer Glenda Young who sets her stories in the village where she was born
Review: Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
Katie reviews Barbara Kingsolver’s Unsheltered, a modern day work of fiction intricately weaved together with an exploration of historical Vineland.
Review: Humankind by Rutger Bregman
Find out what Krissy thought of the international bestselling book Humankind, which has been described as ‘a beacon of hope’.
Review: Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker
Enter into the thrilling world of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, and uncover his inspirations. Katie reviews Dracul.
Review: Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell
Krissy reviews Wonderscape, the anticipated new novel from popular children’s author Jennifer Bell that’s described as Jumanji meets Ready Player One!
Review: Medina Book Club November ’19 – March ’20
Read about what Medina Book Club thought of Stealing Roses, The Parade, The Forest of Wool and Steel, and Normal People.
Listen: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Chapter 3)
Listen along as Katie reads the third chapter of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. New instalments every Monday!
Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney
Katie reviews the critically acclaimed novel Normal People by Sally Rooney. Medina Book Club read the book ahead of their March meeting.
Listen: The Three Little Pigs (Read by Katie)
Listen along as Katie reads the classic story of The Three Little Pigs. Don’t forget to download your free activity pack!
Ask the Author with the IW Story Festival
The IW Story Festival is organised by some of the island’s best loved children’s authors. Read about how they have been coping during the pandemic.
Ask the Author with Kieran Larwood
Join award winning children’s author Kieran Larwood, best known for creating Podkin One-Ear, in our blog series ‘Ask the Author…’
Listen: The Tale of Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter (Read by Krissy)
Listen along as Krissy, the newest member of the Medina Books team, tells The Tale of Jeremy Fisher. Don’t forget to download a free activity pack!
Listen: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Chapter Two)
Listen along as Katie reads the second chapter of Little Women. New instalments every Monday!
Listen: Little Red Riding Hood by The Brothers Grimm (Read by Katie)
Listen along as Medina Books’ very own Katie reads the classic tale Little Red Riding Hood.
Review: The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates
Krissy reviews a super funny, heart-warming adventure of three boys, one summer holiday, and a few miracles along the way.
Listen: The Emperor’s New Suit by Hans Christian Andersen (read by Katie)
Listen along as Medina Books’ very own Katie reads The Emperor’s New Suit. Don’t forget to download a read-along sheet and free activity pack!
Ask the Author with Isabel Ashdown
Join Isabel Ashdown, author of seven novels including three set on the Isle of Wight, in our new blog series ‘Ask the Author…’
A Word from the Author: Julia Johnson
Children’s author Julia Johnson shares how she has been coping during the coronavirus pandemic.
Islanders join hands to support care sector
Medina Books are delighted to support a campaign to source and supply PPE to the care sector in the Island.
Review: Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Krissy reviews Crescent City, the first in a brand new fantasy series by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas
Listen: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Chapter One)
Listen to the first chapter of Little Women read by Medina Books’ very own Katie. Discover a new chapter every Monday.
Listen: The Elves and the Shoemaker by The Brothers Grimm
Listen along as Medina Book’s Katie reads The Elves and the Shoemaker by The Brothers Grimm.
Ask the Author… with Heather Cooper
Join Heather Cooper, author of Stealing Roses, for the first in our brand new Q and A blog series, ‘Ask the Author…’
Listen: The Pearl Diver by Julia Johnson (Read by Julia Johnson)
Listen along as Julia Johnson reads her delightful book The Pearl Diver.
Review: Alex Rider – Nightshade by Anthony Horowitz
Krissy reviews Nightshade, the latest release in the action-packed Alex Rider series.
Listen: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (Read by Krissy)
Listen along as Medina Books’ very own Krissy Lloyd reads the classic children’s story The Tale of Peter Rabbit, the first reading in our new podcast series.
Review: The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan
Krissy reviews The Land of Roar, a delightful flight of fantasy into the realm of a child’s imagination
Review: The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Krissy reviews The Deathless Girls, a beautifully written story of survival, love and loyalty in a brutal world.
Free Handwashing Book for Island Schools
Medina Publishing offers free books to island schools amid pandemic.
Review: Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown
Kat reviews Little Sister, a gripping thriller set on the Isle of Wight.
Review: Stealing Roses by Heather Cooper
Kat reviews island author Heather Cooper’s debut novel, set in Victorian Cowes.
A Word from the Author: The Wihtwara Trilogy
Wihtwara author Jan Harper-Whale reveals the research behind the trilogy.
Review: The Isle of Wight’s Missing Chapter by James Rayner
Jess reviews The Isle of Wight’s Missing chapter by James Rayner, a collection which uncovers the island’s hidden history.
Find Your Writing Tribe: Writers’ Groups on the Isle of Wight
Krissy gives you the down-low on the many writers’ groups on the island.
Review: Slave to Fortune by D J Munro
Jess reviews the swashbuckling novel Slave to Fortune by D J Munro.
COVID-19 Update
Keep up to date with our latest Covid-19 announcements.
Review: The Peculiars by Kieran Larwood
Krissy reviews The Peculiars, the first book from the much-loved children’s author Kieran Larwood.
The Writer’s Reading List
The essential reading list for anyone aspiring to get into creative writing!
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