From Big Green Bookshop:

One of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, the BAILEYS Women’s Prize for Fiction – previously known as the Orange Prize for Fiction – celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in women’s writing from throughout the world.

 The Longlist has been announced, and it’s superb, including titles by Margaret Atwood, Eimear McBride and Linda Grant. You can see the whole list HERE.

Such is the quality of the list, once again, we’re going to do the BAILEYS BOOK CHALLENGE.

The challenge is to read as many, if not all of the shortlisted titles, before the winner is announced in June. 

Here's how it's going to work; 

As soon as the shortlist is announced on Monday April 3rd, we’ll order copies of each of the books, which we’ll hopefully get by Wednesday April 5th. 

We'll open until 7pm on that Wednesday so if you like, you can come along to say hello, take home one or more of the titles, and enjoy some rather lovely wine. Obviously, you don't have to come along on the Wednesday, but,

Over the next  couple of months the members of the Book Club will make a concerted effort to read as many of the six shortlisted books as they can.

The group will meet again on Tuesday June 6th, the evening before the winner is announced to discuss each of the books. After a heated debate, and a glass or two of wine, the group will vote for whom they think should win. We'll then announce our findings and wait with baited breath for the official announcement the following day. 
We realise that the cost of the shortlist might be quite a lot, especially if there are hardbacks on it, and for us, the most important thing is that people can join in. So we’ve come up with a few solutions;
 
•For a one off payment of £25, we will be a lending library, where you can borrow each of the books for a week or so each. You can also keep your favourite book after the ceremony.
 
•We will offer a discount of 20% on the shortlist for Book Group members.
 
•A group of you could share the cost, so for example 3 of you could buy 2 books each.
 
However you decide to do this, we will do everything we can to make the books accessible to you. The important thing is that you're able to join in.
It's a bit of a challenge, but if you think you're up for it, come along.
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Alexandra Park Neighbours to add comments!

Join Alexandra Park Neighbours

To post an event:

  • click +Add Event at top right (if it is not there, you are not signed in)
  • enter your event details - you will be prompted for date, time, location of the event and an image.
  • click on black button below.

To later edit it, click on its header, then on Options at top right, and Edit Event.

A moderator will later add your event to a calendar, with a link to your post.

To view all the events taking place on a particular day, click on 'Date Range' above the calendar, then double-click on the date.

 

 

Events and Activities


 

 

What’s on at Karamel in January?

 

Saturday 24 January 2026 – Fires and Fascism – free screening + Q&A at Karamel, 7 pm. Supported by climate action group Fossil Free London.

Saturday 7 February –  London Vegan Mixer - social & karaoke at Karamel, 4 Coburg Rd, N22, 7:00pm.


Ongoing courses and activities

 

Life drawing sessions – starting 10 January, alternate Saturdays during term time at Rhodes Avenue Primary School, ** 12-2pm **.

Colourwheel Art Classes for adults on Thursday mornings or afternoons at St. Andrews Church Hall, Alexandra Park Road N10 2DD.

Illustrating children’s books, course for adults – Wednesday mornings at the Alexandra Palace East Court Creative Pavilion, 10- 12.00am. 4 February – 25 March.

H.A.T.E. Club - Hobby and Tabletop enthusiasts, adult-only gaming club - Wednesday evenings at Karamel, 5.30-10.30pm.

Painting for Fun – Thursdays 8 January to 26 March, at CUFOS Community Centre (the old railway station), Top of The Avenue N10, 10-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm.

Haringey Circle: late morning Creative Coffee Drop-In on Thursday mornings at Oita Cafe, the Green Rooms, Station road N22, 11-1.30pm.

Haringey Circle: Paws and Walk dog walk on the last Thursday of every month in Ally Pally, 10-11.30am. Meet outside Ally Pally station.

Salsa Wednesdays – Wednesday evenings at Bounds Green School, Bounds Green Road N11 2QG, 7-8pm. 

The 22nd Southgate Beavers have spaces for years 2 and 3 children. Southgate Scout group.

The Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution in Pond Square is offering an exciting array of courses.

Museum of Homelessness will be open from 17 April to 1 November, at the Manor House Lodge, inside Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters Road N4 2DE 12.30-4.30pm.

Geekstraveganza – regular boardgame meetup on these dates at Karamel, 4 Coburg Road, Wood Green, 1-6pm.

Em Power fitness classes – 9am on Mondays & Thursdays (term time only), focusing on strength. All abilities welcome!

Fortismere Community Symphony Orchestra rehearses Tuesday evenings during term-time at Fortismere School, 7-9pm. Get in touch for more info.

After School Sewing Club on Fridays at Stitch crafts, 2 Hazelwood Lane Palmers Green, 4.30-6pm. Term time.

V&J Ensemble: Vocal group for ALL Singers on Wednesdays at St. Andrew's Church, Alexandra Park Road N10 (corner of Windermere Road), 6.50-8.30pm.

Bowes Park Community Choir - Thursday evenings during term time at Bounds Green School, 7.15-9.15pm.


All Good Bookshop has many regular events - book groups of course, also music, writing, yoga - and special events .... at 35 Turunpike Lane.

 

 

 

 

Read more…