Hearth 2025 is on the way!

Fiction, memoir and poetry will feature at our Hearth mini literature festival on Saturday 1st February 2025.

Hearth festival, named because it is held beside the fireplace in the Library’s Gladstone Room lounge, has taken place annually since 2013.

Louisa Yates, Director of Collections and Research at the Library, said: “Hearth is often one of the hottest tickets on our events calendar and it frequently sells out.

“It’s a wonderfully warm and intimate event. Our guests can snuggle in with a cup of tea, coffee or wine and listen to authors talk about all aspects of their writing.

“It’s the perfect bright spot to look forward to in February, whatever the weather.”




This year the lineup includes Carole Hailey, author of The Silence Project, an acclaimed alternative history novel. Carol will talk about narrative structure and the art of mingling fact and fiction.

Sarah Tarlow, author of the award-winning memoir The Archaeology of Loss, will discuss archeology and the parallels between writing about life and interpreting history.

Deborah Alma, a poet known for Emergency Poetry and Poetry Pharmacy projects, will sit in discussion with Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone’s Library.

Camilla Chester, author of Call Me Lion, will offer insight into her life as a children’s author during her hour, which will be an open conversation rather than a talk. She will also invite guests to take part in an interactive activity based on storytelling.

Andrea Russell, Warden of Gladstone’s Library, said: “Hearth is always a highlight for the Gladstone’s Library community. It’s a fabulous opportunity to meet writers and perhaps find your new favourite book.

“I’m very much looking forward to listening to Camilla Chester, Sarah Tarlow and Carole Hailey, and finding out what inspired their work and what went into their writing. I’m also excited to chat with Deborah Alma. I have a copy of The Emergency Poet and regularly dip into it to prescribe poems!”

Gladstone’s Library is a rare example of a residential library. As well as its three Reading Rooms which house 150,000 printed books (20,000 of which belonged to Gladstone), the Library has a restaurant, a chapel and 26 bedrooms.

Hearth guests will dine in Food for Thought restaurant as food is included in the ticket price. Accommodation discounts are also available for those attending the event.

In person tickets start from £55. They are available on www.gladstoneslibrary.org