Newsflash!

This week we've learnt how to create links from images!
Just click on the book covers in our 'Horse Mad!' and '16 Great Reasons...' posts and they will take you through to more details about the books on waterstones.com.

16 Great Reasons to Come and See Us on Thursday!

We're looking forward to what is shaping up to be a bit of a Super Thursday!
Thursdays are traditionally the day when new books are released.
Every now and then there is a wonderful synchronicity between publishers and a whole host of fabulous titles launch on the same day. Thursday 28th February is one of those days.
We've picked some of our favourites - just have a look at all of these great reasons to visit your local bookstore...

If you like Cookery books then you are in for a treat.
First up, it's local legends The Fabulous Baker Brothers. They've just returned to our television screens with their new series and here to accompany it is their brand new, second book, Glorious British Grub.

The Hairy Bikers' new book is all about the art of a great curry - and make no mistake, an authentic dish is a thing of beauty! Let's hope they're taking it steady, or they'll be back to the Hairy Dieters' book ;)

Delia Smith's new book is actually a complete makeover of her 1977 classic Book of Cakes. She's included the tried & trusted favourites from the orginal book alongside
exciting new creations.






There are some equally exciting novels being published on Thursday.
There's a HUGE buzz about the new Maggie O'Farrell book Instructions for a Heatwave. We can't wait to hear what you think. UPDATE - NOW ON SALE!!!

It's always great to see a new title by local author Katie Fforde.We've just counted and this is her 20th book! Perfect escapism with - we are told - a hint of Mr Rochester. Yes please!

Margaret Forster is always very popular with Cirencester readers. Why not have an exclusive early listen via the Random House soundcloud?! https://soundcloud.com/random-house-audiobooks/the-unknown-bridesmaid-by


Younger readers will be excited to see these new releases...
Aliens, Dinosaurs and even 'Panta Claus' love them, so it should be no surprise to see that pirates want a bit of the action too!
We also have the return of Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner, Johnny Duddle! UPDATE - NOW ON SALE!

Cheeky Early Releases or Why You Should Pay Your Local Bookstore A Visit

We often get books before their official release date. As long as they're not embargoed we can put them straight out on sale, meaning you can get your book earlier!

Here are just some of the books we've received prior to publication and have been able to put out on sale already. You'll have to be quick though!

What Katie Ate is a gorgeous book - a feast for the senses.
The Secret Museum is a brilliant idea for a book and takes a look at some of the treasures hidden away behind the scenes in museums over the world.

Here are some other highlights...

Blood Sisters and All The King's Men are new in paperback. 

Oh and did we mention that we've already received the paperback of GANGSTA GRANNY!!!

We look forward to seeing you at the store ;)

An Interview with Tracey Corderoy

This is our first ever author interview - how exciting! Hopefully it will be the first of many.

We asked Tracey to be our inaugural interviewee because she's been so supportive of us at Waterstones Cirencester - and because we just love her books!

We know YOU love her books too, so we thought we'd find out a bit more about this hugely popular and versatile children's author...

Tracey, tell us about your first ever book and what inspired you to start writing...

I've always loved stories and how they can transport you from the mundane to the magical. I really do believe they have the potential to unlock the imagination. Like many, I've always wanted to write, and then when we moved to an ancient cottage on a hill, instead of picking up a paintbrush, I picked up a pen instead!
It wasn't (just) an attempt to avoid the decorating, but by that point in my life I had so many characters bouncing round in my head, desperate to share their stories, I felt that they'd waited long enough and it was time to give them a voice.

My first story was about a really grumpy (and extremely hygienically challenged) troll called 'The Grunt', who, despite his best intentions NOT to be a friend, finally can't help befriending another troll in many ways very like him. It is through taking this uncharacteristic and emotionally brave step that he ultimately gets to "feel" the magic unleashed through the gentle power of friendship.


This year you have TEN new books coming out! How do you keep getting great ideas?

I'm an avid collector; a magpie. I collect things that captivate me. I might see a character on an illustrator's website which calls to me in some way. And so that character might move in and share my cottage. Given time, they might tell me their story. Then we explore that story together, we go on a journey and see where that leads.I think you need to love your characters if you want others to love them too. And so much of that is getting to know them really well.

The other things I collect are objects (many and varied) that might start me wondering why, where, how or who. Sometimes these questions aren't answered for ages. And sometimes not at all. But sometimes they are and my stories are the vehicle for this.

I do a similar thing with words and phrases I like the sound of and I listen when people are talking because sometimes just everyday conversations really get me thinking. I also get lots of story ideas when I'm hoovering. True fact!

We love it when you visit our store - you always throw really great events. What's been your biggest event challenge?

I really love doing events but probably my biggest challenge was being asked to do a magic show for 'Monty and Milli' (my magical mice) at the Hay Festival last year because - well, in a nutsell - I can't do magic. The show is still being requested all over the place but possibly because it's more funny than technically good!




You have recently started writing for older children. Tell us about the 'Willow Valley' series and 'Baddies, Beasties and a Sprinkling of Crumbs!' (book one is due in April). They look quite different from one another!

Wow, yes - these two series couldn't be more different! I like to experiment with lots of different styles and voices in my stories. It keeps me on my toes and the stories vibrant, I hope.

'Willow Valley' is a series for new readers about a community of little woodland animals who love friendship, fun and adventures. With a backdrop of rolling green hills, buttercup meadows and bluebell woods, childhood issues are gently explored through three main characters who are (usually!) great friends.
Riley the mouse, Starla the badger and Horatio Spark, a roly-poly hedgehog, are always on the lookout for their next big adventure.
This series was inspired by the valley where I live. We have a brook and the Willow Valley animals have a river which they travel along on canal boats. They also live in cave houses on the hills and, when it's rainy, my little cottage becomes as dark as a cave-house too! My editor originally asked me for a hamster story "with a difference" and from that the world of Willow Valley evolved. And is certainly is a hamster story with a difference, for now there isn't a single hamster in it!

'Baddies, Beasties and a Sprinkling of Crumbs!' is wild, wacky and fun. It's got all the elements of a classic goodies/baddies romp with a modern, yet retro feel.
There are children - three- Otto, Martha and Scarlett, there's an inventor - their dad Henrig - and there are robbers (three of them too), called The Unstoppables. So, basically The Unstoppables (boo, hiss!), need to be stopped because they are outrageously bad - I mean they'll steal anything and the children feel they MUST stop them in order to save their Dad's reputation (and avoid ending up living in a field with smelly goats). But is this easier said than done?
I hope you'll enjoy reading the story as much as I've loved writing it...



You've written a lot of picture books. What do you think are the special ingredients that make for a magical book?

As I've said, you have to really love your characters and not be afraid to go with them on their journeys, even if where you go is sometimes very unfamiliar. Sometimes you have to take risks with your writing, but always take your lead from your character - in other words be guided by them, never losing the essence or "heart" of the story; the why and where it all began.
I also think you need to see and feel through the eyes of a child, for children see the impossible as probable, the ordinary as extraordinary and they are always open to the truly magical...



Finally, if you could work some magic of your own and bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be?!

I would love to meet 'The Little White Owl', because he's courageous, thoughtful and fun.
Plus, he'd share his toast with me I'm sure...


Just click on The Little White Owl and you can look at all of Tracey's wonderful books!



Come and meet Tracey! She will be at Waterstones Cirencester on Saturday 23rd March between 11am and 3pm. We will be having lots of Easter crafting fun with 'Oh Dylan!'.

Horse Mad!

Inspired by some fantastic new releases and living as we do in one of the equestrian capitals of the UK, it seemed only fitting that we produce this homage to horses, ponies and all things equine!

First up, it's the new paperback from Lauren St John. The One Dollar Horse is the book she was born to write! It's a marvellous blend of horsey dreams and gritty realities and everyone from 12 year olds to adults have been loving it. We can't wait for part two - Race the Wind - coming in April.

Another of our bestsellers at the moment is this heartwarming and evocative book by Susanna Forrest. It's not only the story of her obsession with horses, it also follows her journey through the history of our relationship with these wonderful animals.

There are some gorgeous photographic books available...

The horse through history...

For younger readers...

The books by Victoria Eveleigh, Linda Chapman, Jane Smiley, Stacy Gregg, Pippa Funnell and Sarah KilBride are all part of series, so there are plenty more to discover!

We're excited about a new series coming later in the year from Victoria Eveleigh. At last, some fiction about a boy who loves horses! Joe and the Hidden Horsehoe is out in May.

A bit of nostalgia...

For some of us more (ahem), mature readers, this is where it all began. These books may be older, but the writing and the way the authors capture the love of horses hasn't lost any power over time.If you haven't sobbed over Black Beauty, then you haven't lived!


Here at the Cirencester store we also stock a number of more practical guides, for young riders, through to the more experienced...

If you would like more information about any of these books, or some personal recommendations, why not get in touch with us! 
We would love to see you in our store on Cricklade Street, or why not leave us a comment below. You can also tweet us @WaterCiren.