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    • Our Mission
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When We Were Monsters

£9.99

Eight students walk into an exclusive writers’ retreat, but only one will walk out with a life-changing opportunity to realise their creative dreams.

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ISBN: 9780241772492 Category: Children's - Young Readers Tags: Children's / Teenage fiction: Romance & relationships stories, Children's / Teenage fiction: Thrillers, Children's / Teenage personal & social issues: death & bereavement, Children's / Teenage personal & social issues: Sexuality & relationships
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Description

The compulsive new thriller from multimillion-copy bestselling author Jennifer Niven.

Eight students walk into an exclusive writers’ retreat, but only one will walk out with a life-changing opportunity to realize their creative dreams.

Effy is piecing together a story about the tragic betrayal that led to her mother’s death. Arlo hopes to publish a novel – but he’s also trying to start a new chapter with Effy after he broke her heart and ghosted her three years earlier.

Their mentor is Meredith Graffam, enigmatic writer, director and actress, whose compelling accounts of her own near-death experience on the same retreat decades before continue to spark controversy.

But this celebrated teacher is not all she seems, and her students gradually realize they are fighting for something much more primal than academic advantage. As Graffam’s unorthodox teaching methods push them past breaking point, they reveal their darkest secrets, take unthinkable risks and slowly start to turn on one another. But Graffam never expected they would turn on her . . .

The Secret History meets One of Us is Lying in the most gripping thriller of the year.

Read a sample here

Additional information

Weight 0.281 kg
Dimensions 19.7 × 12.8 × 2.4 cm
Author

Niven, Jennifer

Publisher

Penguin Books

Imprint

Penguin Books

Cover

Paperback

Pages

384

Language

English

Edition

Paperback original

Dewey

813.6 (edition:23)

Readership

Children – juvenile / Code: J

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Nov 20



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As part of our Connection Counts campaign this November, bookseller Lydia would like to recommend Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet. 🌟

Rilke’s letters, written to a young military cadet looking to establish a career in poetry, are like spiritual sustenance. His advice on creative solitude is relevant to this day. His writing on loneliness manages to both validate the feeling and fortify against despair. This is a must read for anyone in need of some connection and consolation in a difficult age. 🌷

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Nov 19



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THIS WEEKEND!! 📚❄️

We are very excited to be hosting the Northodox Winter Book Fair on Saturday (22nd).*

From 11am-3pm your favourite northern based publishers will be showing their wares in our gorgeous listed backroom - it's an event that's not to be missed!

Ticket link in our bio - So why not get prepared for christmas or treat yourself to a gift this Saturday! 

*This is an externally managed event; please contact Northodox Press if you would like to discuss details/attendance.

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Nov 17



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December 2nd - 8th is Grief Awareness Week, so on Monday 1st December we will have Greater Manchester Bereavement Service hosting a coffee morning from 10am - 12pm. 

Grief affects us all at some point in our lives. Anyone is welcome to attend - whether you are impacted by a loss yourself, supporting someone close to you, or hoping to learn more as a professional.

Please register for free on Eventbrite, using the link in our bio 💚

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Nov 16



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This month we’re highlighting the importance of connection with our ‘Connections Count’ campaign. HOBAF is all about connection, with our mission statement being to tackle social isolation and loneliness. Our bookworms will be highlighting books about connection all through November, as well as hosting our Coffee & Connections campaign to bring people together.

In Tawada's trilogy, Hiruko searches for someone who speaks her native language in a world where her country has ceased to exist. As her search brings new friends into her life, we examine what it means to belong, to feel at home, and whether our roots are truly all that ground us. Scattered All Over the Earth was released in 2023, and 2025 sees part two and three of the series released to UK audiences and available to pick up in-store now ⭐🌄

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Nov 15



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ITS PARTY TIME! 🥳🎈🎉

December 7th is our little bookworms party 11-12:30pm!

We will be discussing our most recent read, Spirit Warriors and then throwing ourself into some end of year fun! There will games, treats and even some origami! 

Link in our bio to book!

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Nov 14



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Its just about that time of year again... 🎄🎅

Looking for a bookish way to celebrate advent this year? We have the perfect selection! 

From chapter a day romances, to chocolate gruffalo's and traditonal christmas stories, celebrate advent season the best way there is - by curling up with a good book!


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