Shelf Interest: Manny and the Baby Jazz Lunch Launch

Have some lunch with us and speak to the critically-acclaimed author, Varaidzo, about her new debut novel: Manny and the Baby!

We'll set a jazzy mood with some tunes by our wonderous saxophonist for some ice-breaking and mingling!

Jumping between timelines, Varaidzo uses her literary prowess to entertain and educate around Black British History in Manny and the Baby.

About the book

London, 1936. Two sisters are ready to take the city and the world by storm.

Bath, 2012. Two young Black men are figuring out who they are, and who they want to become.

Manny Powell is forthright, intellectual, and determined to make her mark on the London literary scene. Her younger sister, Rita ‘The Baby’, just wants to dance. Chasing their dreams across smoky Soho jazz clubs, they soon find themselves part of the burgeoning Black ambition movement, and must learn how to navigate it as women. As tensions rise, and fascism and war snap at their heels, Rita finds herself drawn to the mysterious mimic and trumpeter, Ezekiel Brown, from Jamaica, and the trio are faced with choices that will alter their lives forever.

Itai has fled London to his late father’s flat in Bath. Listening to cassette tapes his father made, he realises there is a lot he doesn’t know about the man’s life ― who is Rita? Why did his father record her life story? And might she hold the answers to Itai’s questions? Meanwhile, his developing friendship with Josh, a young athlete who moonlights as a dealer to fund his training, is on unsteady ground. As the country prepares for the 2012 Olympics, Josh is under increasing pressure from his bosses to find out just what the hell Itai is really doing in their city.

What to expect

• Get your book early! This book is officially released on 11th April, however Shelf Interest gold and silver members, as well as event attendees that order a book with their ticket, will get their copy early!
• Meet Varaidzo: we will interview Varaidzo about her debut book "Manny and the Baby".
• Have some lunch: you will have a choice of sandwiches/alternatives included in your ticket. Vegetarian (V), Vegan (VE) and Gluten Free (GF) options are available to choose from.
• Unlimited tea & coffee.
• Get your book signed by Varaidzo.
• Play some jazz-themed games with us! We love to connect our attendees through fun games!
• Get a sample of richly scented oud.
• Order your ticket by 5th April to get the book delivered to your door befor release date (11th April)!
• Order your ticket from 6-20th April to get the book delivered to your door before the event.
• Order your ticket after 20th April to pick it up at the event (if you don't attend it will be shipped to you afterwards).

Menu options

• Vegan roasted vegetable sandwiches
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese
• Honey roasted ham, mustard and tomato
• Gluten free open sandwich of vegan cheese and cucumber
• Warm cheese and onion tarts
• Cauliflower and coriander fritters
• Vegetable falafel, hummus and lemon

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