Rare Birds Books launches new look advent calendar following sell out success in 2021!
Chocolate is so 2021; this year we are ushering in the festive period with a new era of advent calendar – one that offers romance, suspense, thrills and spills*.
Highly anticipated since its immediate sell out last year, home of female writing, Rare Birds Books has re-designed and re-launched its best-selling 24 Days of Reading (£50), a new way to celebrate advent.
To play along, you just need to open each day as normal, discovering an invitation to a new world behind every door, a secret blurb ready to take you on a journey. Each of the 24 descriptions corresponds to one of Rare Birds Books favourites from the past year, including 10 book club picks and 14 brand new titles; so, whether you’re a subscriber or a book worm, there is a story for you!
At the end of December, you choose your favourite four blurbs and using your personal code, redeem them for the four physical books! A gift that just keeps giving, the books will be despatched from 28th December onwards, meaning you will be able to start 2023 with a host of new reading material.
With postage included, this is the perfect early present for the bibliophile in your life. And for those vivacious readers, don’t panic, your book choices will be revealed before you complete your redemption, meaning you can confirm you haven’t got any duplicates.
Pre-orders begin in September for guaranteed copies, with all calendars begin shipping in November. They will be available to purchase online via the website, in store and at Stylist Live weekend.
So, which story will you choose for yourself this Christmas?
This Mother’s Day home of female fiction, Rare Birds, has launched the perfect gift for mamas who love nothing more than to curl up and get lost in an good book. The Good, The Bad and The Real, is the brand new three-book bundle (£30) offering the crème de la crème of our favourite mums in literature – but not necessarily the ones you would expect …
Split into three categories – Good Mothers (positive portrayals of mothers in fiction), Bad Mothers (negative portrayals of mothers in fiction) and Real Mothers (non-fiction books about motherhood and its impact) – the bundle will have you laughing, crying and wondering where amongst it all your own mother sits.
So, which mums – and which stories – will this bundle explore?
(Good Mothers) Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
A heart-breaking historical novel about the personal tragedy which inspired Shakespeare’s most famous play. An exploration of what a mother will do to protect her children, and the fracturing of family relationships when this is not enough.
(Bad Mothers) The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
When her two daughters leave home, Leda embraces her newfound freedom and embarks upon a solo holiday to an Italian coastal town. But a chance meeting with an unsettling family forces Leda to confront her own past, and the choices she has made as a mother.
(Real Mothers) (M)otherhood: On the Choices of Being a Woman by Pragya Agarwal
Part memoir, part meticulous research, this is an urgent and necessary examination of motherhood, identity, and the continuous societal obsession with women’s reproductive bodies.
Bound in a gorgeous Rare Birds branded box with the books elegantly wrapped, the gift is not only thoughtful, but beautiful.
For those who are keen to delve further into the theme of motherhood, Rare Birds has put together a list that you can pick and choose from to help you continue on your reading journey. Following the above themes, founder Rachel Wood, invites you to decide what being a mum really means…
Books for Good Mothers
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Can a trans woman, her de-transitioned ex, and his new straight girlfriend all raise a baby together? A witty and wise examination of sex, gender and contemporary family life.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto
A hysterical and heart-warming romcom, in which Meddy’s meddling mother and aunties get more than they bargained for when she accidentally kills the blind date they sent her on.
Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple
When her enigmatic architect mother goes missing before a trip to Antarctica, fifteen-year-old Bee will do anything to find her. A funny and heart-warming look at what happens when motherhood upends your sense of identity.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s heart-breaking novel tells the story of Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman whose life has been spent desperately trying to protect her children. A raw and ruthless depiction of the horrors of slavery, and the power of a mother’s love.
Room by Emma Donoghue
Told from the perspective of five-year old Jack, this emotional novel details he and his mother’s captivity in a single room. Inspired by true stories, this is a searing portrayal of mother’s love for her child.
Books for Bad Mothers
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Jeanette Winterson’s fierce work of autofiction narrates her choice to abandon the missionary career her adopted mother had planned for her in order to be with the woman she loves. An unflinching depiction of religious zeal and desire.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
In this witty and unsettling novel, the struggling artist mother of a young toddler finds herself undergoing a canine transformation. The only thing is those around her seem oblivious.
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Sun-drenched and surreal, this novel depicts the strained relationship between Sofia and her mother, Rose, whom she has accompanied to the Spanish coast in search of a cure for Rose’s mysterious illness. A haunting exploration of sexuality, womanhood, and the maternal bond.
Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
When Antara was young, her mother Tara ran wild – preferring to lavish her attention on the guru of an ashram than her own daughter. Now Tara’s memory is failing her, and Antara bitterly administers the help she needs. This is a sticky, biting novel which asks the question: are we obliged to take care of those who fail to take care of us?
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
In Margaret Atwood’s classic dystopian novel, motherhood is separated from pregnancy, as those women who are fertile are forced to produce children for the upper class who aren’t. But of these, June, longs to be free and reunited with her daughter.
Books for Real Mothers
The Other Mother: A Wickedly Honest Parenting Tale for Every Kind of Family by Jen Brister
A funny and moving look at mothering from the perspective of the ‘other mother’ in a lesbian relationship, addressing everything from IVF to sleep deprivation with the kind of anecdotes that will make you laugh-out.
Motherhood by Deborah Orr
At seventeen, Deborah Orr left Motherwell to attend university against her mother’s wishes. In this gritty and honest memoir, she recounts her girlhood in the industrial town, and the sticky bond between mother and daughter, ultimately asking the question: what does it mean to mother well?
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Joan Didion’s memoir detailing the death of her own daughter is a gut-wrenching account of motherhood, uncertainty, and ageing. Bleak and beautiful in equal measure, this is a book which will haunt you long after it is finished.
The Panic Years by Nell Frizell
In this poetic and candid book, Nell Frizzel navigates the difficult personal decisions faced by women in their late twenties and thirties. The hardest of all? Whether or not to have a baby.
Mother: An Unconventional History by Sarah Knott
A fascinating exploration of the history of maternity, from medieval royals to 1950s housewives, through the lens of historian Sarah Knott’s own experiences with pregnancy, motherhood, and loss.
‘Mums’ the word at Rare Birds Books this Mother’s Day …
This Mother’s Day home of female fiction, Rare Birds, has launched the perfect gift for mamas who love nothing more than to curl up and get lost in an good book.
The Good, The Bad and The Real, is the brand new three-book bundle (£30) offering the crème de la crème of our favourite mums in literature – but not necessarily the ones you would expect …
Split into three categories – Good Mothers (positive portrayals of mothers in fiction), Bad Mothers (negative portrayals of mothers in fiction) and Real Mothers (non-fiction books about motherhood and its impact) – the bundle will have you laughing, crying and wondering where amongst it all your own mother sits.
So, which mums – and which stories – will this bundle explore?
(Good Mothers) Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
A heart-breaking historical novel about the personal tragedy which inspired Shakespeare’s most famous play. An exploration of what a mother will do to protect her children, and the fracturing of family relationships when this is not enough.
(Bad Mothers) The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
When her two daughters leave home, Leda embraces her newfound freedom and embarks upon a solo holiday to an Italian coastal town. But a chance meeting with an unsettling family forces Leda to confront her own past, and the choices she has made as a mother.
(Real Mothers) (M)otherhood: On the Choices of Being a Woman by Pragya Agarwal
Part memoir, part meticulous research, this is an urgent and necessary examination of motherhood, identity, and the continuous societal obsession with women’s reproductive bodies.
Bound in a gorgeous Rare Birds branded box with the books elegantly wrapped, the gift is not only thoughtful, but beautiful.
For those who are keen to delve further into the theme of motherhood, Rare Birds has put together a list that you can pick and choose from to help you continue on your reading journey. Following the above themes, founder Rachel Wood, invites you to decide what being a mum really means …
Books for Good Mothers
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Can a trans woman, her de-transitioned ex, and his new straight girlfriend all raise a baby together? A witty and wise examination of sex, gender and contemporary family life.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto
A hysterical and heart-warming romcom, in which Meddy’s meddling mother and aunties get more than they bargained for when she accidentally kills the blind date they sent her on.
Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple
When her enigmatic architect mother goes missing before a trip to Antarctica, fifteen-year-old Bee will do anything to find her. A funny and heart-warming look at what happens when motherhood upends your sense of identity.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s heart-breaking novel tells the story of Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman whose life has been spent desperately trying to protect her children. A raw and ruthless depiction of the horrors of slavery, and the power of a mother’s love.
Room by Emma Donoghue
Told from the perspective of five-year old Jack, this emotional novel details he and his mother’s captivity in a single room. Inspired by true stories, this is a searing portrayal of mother’s love for her child.
Books for Bad Mothers
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Jeanette Winterson’s fierce work of autofiction narrates her choice to abandon the missionary career her adopted mother had planned for her in order to be with the woman she loves. An unflinching depiction of religious zeal and desire.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
In this witty and unsettling novel, the struggling artist mother of a young toddler finds herself undergoing a canine transformation. The only thing is those around her seem oblivious.
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Sun-drenched and surreal, this novel depicts the strained relationship between Sofia and her mother, Rose, whom she has accompanied to the Spanish coast in search of a cure for Rose’s mysterious illness. A haunting exploration of sexuality, womanhood, and the maternal bond.
Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
When Antara was young, her mother Tara ran wild – preferring to lavish her attention on the guru of an ashram than her own daughter. Now Tara’s memory is failing her, and Antara bitterly administers the help she needs. This is a sticky, biting novel which asks the question: are we obliged to take care of those who fail to take care of us?
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
In Margaret Atwood’s classic dystopian novel, motherhood is separated from pregnancy, as those women who are fertile are forced to produce children for the upper class who aren’t. But of these, June, longs to be free and reunited with her daughter.
Books for Real Mothers
The Other Mother: A Wickedly Honest Parenting Tale for Every Kind of Family by Jen Brister
A funny and moving look at mothering from the perspective of the ‘other mother’ in a lesbian relationship, addressing everything from IVF to sleep deprivation with the kind of anecdotes that will make you laugh-out.
Motherhood by Deborah Orr
At seventeen, Deborah Orr left Motherwell to attend university against her mother’s wishes. In this gritty and honest memoir, she recounts her girlhood in the industrial town, and the sticky bond between mother and daughter, ultimately asking the question: what does it mean to mother well?
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Joan Didion’s memoir detailing the death of her own daughter is a gut-wrenching account of motherhood, uncertainty, and ageing. Bleak and beautiful in equal measure, this is a book which will haunt you long after it is finished.
The Panic Years by Nell Frizell
In this poetic and candid book, Nell Frizzel navigates the difficult personal decisions faced by women in their late twenties and thirties. The hardest of all? Whether or not to have a baby.
Mother: An Unconventional History by Sarah Knott
A fascinating exploration of the history of maternity, from medieval royals to 1950s housewives, through the lens of historian Sarah Knott’s own experiences with pregnancy, motherhood, and loss.
Best-selling book club has launched to unprecedented success in the heart of Stockbridge
Home of female fiction, Rare Birds Books has launched Scotland’s first female-centric bookshop, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Stockbridge.
In a bold move that saw the globally beloved book club show resilience and innovation in a time of retail uncertainty, founder Rachel Wood welcomed over 1,500 visitors into the shop over the first trading weekend.
Opened on 6th August, at 13 Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, Rare Birds Books saw over 2,000 customers during its first month, selling around 3,000 books – proof that the nation’s love of reading has not abated following the end of lockdown.
In an even further show of local solidarity, Edinburgh shoppers came out in force, with one of the shop’s top four best-sellers over the last month being Luckenbooth, a haunting novel by Scotland-born Jenni Fagen.
A story set in Edinburgh, it is joined by Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, which were both past Rare Birds Book Club picks, as well as Things Remembered and Things Forgotten by Kyoko Nakajima.
Besides the books that customers from around the UK have flocked to purchase, the store has also had to re-stock its now iconic tote bag and a number of the newly launched scented candles, which are made to be paired with whatever genre you are reading. ‘True Crime’ scent and ‘Writer’s Block’ have both flown off the shelves and are looking to be Christmas must-haves this year.
Book club founder and shop owner, Rachel Wood, said: “The store was always supposed to be the physical representation of our beloved book club, and we are thrilled our rare birds have already shown so much support in these initial days of launch.
“So far online and in-store sales are neck and neck, so we like to think that our neighbours are enjoying visiting us in person, whilst the rest of our fans around the world continue to join us virtually month on month as we discuss our club picks.
“Now that we are allowed to start hosting events, we will be welcoming in readers from all over for shopping evenings, author events and in-person book club sessions – it’s going to be amazing!”
Set to have its best Christmas yet, the book club you can’t read without, just got better! For more information visit:
After an extraordinary 25 days, the 2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe has drawn to a close, having brought artists, arts industry, media and audiences together once again to celebrate the magic of live performance.
This year, the Fringe looked very different. For the first time, audiences were able to engage with work both online and in-person, with performers, creators and producers embracing new ways to keep performance in our hearts and minds.
Shows happened in car parks, racecourses, tents and forests. There were brave new works-in-progress; exciting revivals; reimagined classics; solo shows; family-friendly shows; international showcases; sketch shows; interactive digital works; outdoor site-specific shows; walking tours; immersive experiences and late-night, mixed-bill, laugh-a-minute shows.
Some performers took the stage for the first time in 18 months, while others used the festival as a way of reconnecting with fellow artists and industry professionals.
There was support for arts professionals in new ways – with Fringe Connect offering a professional development, workshop and networking space for artists and industry, and Fringe Marketplace providing a digital platform to showcase export ready professional work from across the Fringe to delegates from around the world.
Our Street Events programme looked different, but was just as joy-filled as always, with everything from magic to live music happening in safe, managed locations from West Parliament Square to the Mound.
Street performers also went into communities across Edinburgh, while the Fringe Society worked with over 30 charities and community groups to distribute Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to give people the opportunity to experience the Fringe either in person or online.
The Fringe Society continued its commitment to accessibility. There was BSL interpretation of the street events at West Parliament Square, and a bespoke access bookings service on offer for customers who require it.
This Fringe was also a big step forward for sustainability. More performers marketed their shows digitally, through QR codes, social media and more. Our online strand meant less travel and a reduced carbon footprint for some participating artists, audiences and industry, extending our global reach even further.
We also strengthened the Fringe’s place in our local community. This year, over a third of audiences were from Edinburgh, and a further 17% were from the rest of Scotland. 44% were from the wider United Kingdom. Artists and creatives local to Scotland also added their stories to stages and screens in greater proportions than we have seen in recent years.
But that didn’t happen at the expense of the festival’s founding open access principle. 38 countries were represented on the Fringe this year, with work from nine countries featured as part of international showcases taking place. There was also increased international representation in proportion to the overall programme.
Commenting on this year’s festival, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Traditionally, this day in the Fringe calendar is all about statistics: how many shows took place, how many tickets were bought, and what that means.
“But this year, I’d like to stop defining success by scale. For me, that’s never been what makes the Fringe special. Success should be defined by the quality of experience we’ve all had – and what we’re hearing from performers and audiences alike is that this year’s Fringe has been hugely successful indeed.
“When registration opened in May, we had no way of knowing for sure what this summer would look like. Today, we celebrate every single show that has been brought to life. I’d like to personally thank and congratulate everyone that made it happen, as well as our audiences, sponsors and supporters who have cheered us on and offered much-needed support through this wild and unexpected year.
“We’ve still got work to do to ensure the Fringe recovers – but recovery isn’t about growth in the statistical sense. It’s about growth as a Fringe community. As we move forward with our Save the Fringe campaign and continue to champion this festival and the wider arts, we’ll be calling on everyone to help us shape what the future of this fantastic festival holds.”
Benny Higgins, Chair, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “I’d like to offer huge congratulations to everyone that made this festival happen in the most challenging of circumstances.
“I’ve been blown away by the commitment, creativity and talent of those that have worked tirelessly to bring the magic of the Fringe back to Edinburgh’s streets – and for the first time – to screens around the world.
“As we look to the Fringe’s 75th anniversary in 2022, I am looking forward to being part of a wider conversation about how we make this festival the very best version of itself. This year proved that a small amount of public sector investment can bring about positive change, and it’s crucial that investment in this hugely important festival continues. The Fringe has a big role to play in our recovery, and as we look to build a renaissance for the Fringe in the future, we’ll keep working to support those that make it happen.”
Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “It’s been a fantastic month, seeing the phased return of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and seeing Edinburgh locals and visitors get to enjoy what Edinburgh does best.
“As official whisky of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Johnnie Walker has celebrated the month with our residence ‘The Fringe Club’ on The Mound throughout the festival and gifting lucky festival-goers with exclusive prizes. We’ve our eyes firmly on the future, opening our doors to Johnnie Walker Princes Street on 6 September and joining in the celebrations once again in 2022.”
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 05 – 29 August 2022. It will mark the 75th anniversary of the festival.
SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS
As a charity, the work of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society would not be possible without the valuable support of our partners, sponsors and funders.
We are delighted to be working with Johnnie Walker for the third year running as our official whisky partner.
We are proud to be partnering with the newly opened St James Quarter and are excited to be working with them this year and beyond.
We are excited to be partnering with Crowdfunder again through our FringeMakers fundraising platform, supporting Fringe artists and venues with vital fundraising efforts.
We have teamed up with Rare Birds Books to a create a limited-edition book bundle with books selected by the women behind three of the Fringe’s most iconic venues; Rowan Campbell, the General Manager of Summerhall, Dani Rae, the General Manager of Assembly and Katy Koren, who co-runs Gilded Balloon. Proceeds of the sale of this bundle will support go directly to supporting Fringe artists bring work to the Fringe.
We would also like to thank Lothian Buses for their continued support of our Fringe Days Out programme.
We’re thrilled to welcome Edinburgh Gin on board as Official Gin of the Fringe and look forward to working with them.
We are grateful for funding through the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government -through Creative Scotland -the City of Edinburgh Council and Festivals Edinburgh; Scottish Government for Made in Scotland through the Festivals Expo Fund – managed through Creative Scotland – and the continued support of the City of Edinburgh Council. Thanks also to Scottish Government for funds from their Get into Summer campaign.
We are grateful for funding from the Pivotal Event Business Fund, the SCVO Adapt and Thrive programme, the Foyle Foundation and the UK Government to enhance our digital capabilities.
Our thanks also to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Pump House Trust and the Turtleton Charitable Trust.
With thanks to EventScotland and City of Edinburgh Council for supporting Street Events.
Thank you to Brightcove, our streaming partners, for their support in delivering the Fringe Player.
Our thanks also to our Fringe Angels, Patrons, Friends and supporters whose passion and generosity made a real difference this year.
Fiction book bundle chosen by the women ‘behind the Fringe’
The proceeds of each bundle go directly towards a fund supporting artists to create and bring work to the Fringe
Home of female fiction, Rare Birds Books has teamed up with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to launch a limited-edition book bundle that will support artists and bring work to the Fringe.
Created to celebrate both the opening of the new Rare Birds Books store in Stockbridge, and the return of the Fringe following global lockdowns, the bundles are comprised of three brilliant books, all by female authors.
Chosen by three of the women ‘behind the Fringe’, the proceeds of each bundle will go directly to supporting Fringe performers for years to come.
Sharing some of their favourite reads, the women who curated the bundle may not be known to the general public but are some of the biggest reasons the festival goes ahead.
Working across three of the Fringe’s major venues, Rowan Campbell, the General Manager of Summerhall; Dani Rae, the General Manager of Assembly and Katy Koren, who co-runs Gilded Balloon, all have a rich and varied history with the Fringe.
Available directly from Rare Birds Books shop and website, as well as via the Fringe website, the bundles cost £30 and contain The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (Rowan’s pick), The Emperor’s Babe by Bernadine Evaristo (Dani’s pick) and Motherwell by Deborah Orr (Katy’s pick) – a sparkling example of some of the best modern female fiction.
Rare Birds founder, Rachel Wood, said: “When it comes to the city we call home, few things are more defining that the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“We feel so lucky to have such a world-class festival on our doorstep, and to celebrate our new Edinburgh store, we thought there was no better way than to give back to the festival we all love so much.”
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “We are delighted to be working with Rare Birds on this very special collaboration that will help raise vital funds for Fringe artists.
“Storytelling is at the very heart of the Fringe, and we are proud to champion these stories and celebrate the strong, brilliant women at this festival as well as across the creative industries.”
Beginning as a way to champion female authors, as well as to celebrate and share women’s stories, Rare Birds Books opens its first ever store in Edinburgh on 6th August, with aspirations to continue supporting the Fringe, as well as other local businesses.
Available from 1st August until the end of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Read the room: Rare Birds Books creates a booklover’s wonderland, as it opens the doors to its first female-centric bookstore
Home of female fiction, Rare Birds Books is set to launch Scotland’s first female-centric bookshop, right in the heart of Edinburgh.
In a bold move that sees the globally beloved book club show resilience and innovation in a time of retail uncertainty, founder Rachel Wood invites bibliophiles down the rabbit hole and into Stockbridge’s newest page-turning hotspot.
From Friday 6th August, readers will be invited to visit Rare Birds Shop, located at 13 Raeburn Place in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge neighbourhood, to immerse themselves in a world of beloved book club favourites, must-have modern classics and the cream of the crop of newly published masterpieces.
From Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising to Torrey Peters’ Detransition, Baby, there will be a story, author and genre for every kind of reader, searching for every kind of world.
Not only packed with the best stories the shop’s shelves will also see a collection of other must-have gifts and novel memorabilia. From Rare Birds’ new candles, which are scented to pair perfectly with your current read, and graphic print totes emblazoned with the store’s logo, to small batch chocolate and stationery from women-led businesses, you are certain to come for the stories and stay for the merch.
Rare Birds founder, Rachel Wood comments: “We’re so thrilled to be opening our first book shop in Edinburgh. We’ve always been deeply interested in women’s writing and we can’t wait to bring what we do online to life in our very own space.
“We dreamed of a really welcoming space where we could showcase a huge variety of women’s writing across all genres and create a space where booklovers could meet and socialise and that’s what I hope the space will be.”
Shoppers will be able to choose from a range of female authored fiction and non-fiction books, as well as create Rare Birds’ signature personalised bundles, which are made up of 3 personal picks from the store’s world of stories.
In the months to come, Rare Birds Book Shop will also be home to a number of in-store events, including author readings, book clubs and intimate shopping evenings.
The book club you can’t read without, just got better!
