Nothing Like a Book is a free weekend celebration of everything that books spark. It’s part of Penguin’s 90th birthday, taking place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July at The Truman Brewery in East London.
Nothing Like a Book
Experience everything that books spark
Penguin is turning 90 – and we’re marking the occasion with a flagship event that celebrates how nothing comforts you, challenges the way you think, or sets your heart racing quite like a book.
On 19th and 20th July, we’re bringing our Nothing Like a Book weekender to The Truman Brewery in East London. This isn’t just a celebration of books; it’s a celebration of everything they spark.
Step into the Curiosity Studio, where cultural icons including Jacqueline Wilson, Munroe Bergdorf, Jordan Stephens and more will take to the stage for unmissable talks and workshops. Explore our Discovery Room, where books come to life through installations designed to soothe, empower, and thrill. With support from our partners MOTH Drinks and Crocs, there will be plenty of surprises throughout the weekend.
This is a free, open event and while the ticket ballot for talks and workshops has now closed, we will have a few walk-in spaces for each session available on the day. Whether you have a ticket to our talks and workshops or not, you can still come along and enjoy the Discovery Room, which is open all weekend and full of experiential activities, free giveaways and surprises.
No ticket? No problem
You don’t need a ticket to discover all the extra activities taking place in the Discovery Room.
The Zones
Experience the soothing, thrilling, and empowering nature of books in our three dedicated experiential zones.
Judge a Book by Its Jibbitz™
Forget covers, try judging a book by its Jibbitz™! Visit the Crocs™ pop-up stall to play a guessing game, where Crocs™ Classic Small Totes are decorated with Jibbitz™ charms and contain a mystery book. Each set of Jibbitz™ offers clues about the book inside. If you can correctly guess the title of the book, you’ll be in with a chance to win the tote, the charms, and the book itself.
The Book Nook
Step into our free bookshop, a space dedicated to Penguin books that have sparked debate, challenged norms, and even faced book bans. All visitors can choose a book to keep (or pass on to someone else).
The programme
Walk-in spaces for all sessions will be available on the day on a first come, first served basis.
Saturday 19th July
The Stories that Stay with Us
11:15 – 12:45
Join Jacqueline Wilson and Coco Omer for an intimate conversation about why the books of our childhood leave a lasting impression on our identities and emotions. The discussion will explore the power of nostalgia, how stories shape us as we grow up, and why we should continue to revisit children's tales well into adulthood.
More than Just the Feed
14:15 – 15:20
Jordan Stephens, David Larbi and Ben Hurst gather for a thoughtful and intimate conversation on the role of media and creative outputs in shaping young minds, and especially young boys. This session will explore how emotional expression can open new paths for young people to redefine strength, vulnerability, and identity on their own terms.
Say It with Jibbitz™: a personalisation workshop with Crocs™
16:15 – 17:20
Whether it's through fashion, fandom, or reading preferences, we love expressing ourselves and showing the world who we are. Join actor and writer Anthony Delaney and the Penguin team for a creative session that celebrates individuality through customisation.
Penguin x MOTH Party
19:00 – 21:30
A fun and lively evening party full of drinks, good music and great company, supported by MOTH drinks (for ages 18+).
Sunday 20th July
Once Upon a Hustings
11:15 – 13:00
Get ready to revel in all things fantasy and romantasy with authors Bea Fitzgerald and Nadia El-Fassi. Attendees will be able to share their hottest takes about the genre and back their favourite tropes in a debate-style 'hustings' session that's sure to get as heated as your favourite spicy novel.
Knowledge Is the First Chapter
14:15 – 15:20
Join Munroe Bergdorf and Chanté Joseph for a thoughtful and intimate conversation where they discuss the power of personal experience in driving social change, challenging systemic inequality through knowledge-sharing, and how books can be the first step in changing the world around us.
The Big Penguin Quiz
16:15 – 17:30
Flex your bookish knowledge with Penguin's take on the classic pub quiz, complete with delightfully challenging questions, great drinks, and coveted prizes.
Nothing Like a Book
This is a free, open event with a few walk-in spaces for each session available on the day. We still encourage all attendees to come down on the weekend to enjoy the event, as our Discovery Room installations are not ticketed.
Our partners
Supported by
Nothing like a Book around the UK
We have partnered with a selection of independent bookshops across the UK, notable for their presence in the local community or social impact work, to extend the celebrations in July and across the summer.
- the book-ends - Wellington, Shropshire
- Forum Books - Corbridge, Northumberland
- Mostly Books - Abingdon, Oxon
- The Bookery - Crediton, Devon
- Afrori Books - Brighton
- The Folkestone Bookshop - Folkestone, Kent
- Drake the Bookshop - Stockton-on-Tees, Durham
- David's Bookshop - Letchworth, Hertfordshire
- No Alibis Bookstore - Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Wave of Nostalgia - Keighley, West Yorkshire
- Little Acorns Bookstore - Derry, Northern Ireland
To find out more about the celebrations in each bookshop, check out their website and social media for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event information
What is Nothing Like a Book?
Do I need a ticket to attend?
Nothing Like a Book is split between two rooms. The Discovery Room, where books come to life through experiential installations, is a walk-in space that does not require a ticket for entry. The second room, the Curiosity Studio, features talks and workshops across the weekend. While this space is ticketed, there are a few walk-in spaces available on the day on a first come, first served basis.
Where is the event taking place?
In The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, East London. The address for the entrance is 19 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR.
Is the event free?
Yes! The entire weekend is free to attend, including talks and workshops (though these have limited spaces available).
Talks, workshops and ballot
How do I enter the ballot for Curiosity Studio talks/workshops?
The ballot has now closed, but a few spaces will still be available on the day on a first come, first served basis.
When does the ballot close?
Wednesday 2nd July 18:00 BST.
When will I know if I’ve got a ticket?
Successful applicants will be contacted by Monday 7th July at the latest. Make sure to check your inbox (and spam folder). The tickets will come from the following email address: NLAB@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.
What if I don’t get a ticket - can I still attend the event?
Absolutely. The Discovery Room is open to all - no ticket required. Just turn up and explore.
Event experience
What can I expect from the Discovery Room?
A space full of installations inspired by books that soothe, empower, and thrill - including interactive exhibits and surprise moments.
Is the venue wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, the venue is accessible via wheelchair, there is a ramp into the space. If you require specific information or measurements, please email NLAB@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.
Is the event family-friendly?
The Nothing Like a Book weekender is open to all, but attendees under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Some sessions (like the Penguin x MOTH party) are 18+.
