Local author Travis Elborough discusses his latest book this Wednesday (21 July) at the Stoke Newington Bookshop.

Join Travis Elborough on an exploration of our love for the seaside. From Blackpool, Jane Austen's satire and Brighton Rock's razor gangs, mods and eco-tourism, Billy Butlin and Basil Fawlty, discover that English attitudes to just about everything - class, humour, modernism and identity - were forged by our relationship with the seaside.

Some reviews:

'In this brilliant book, Travis Elborough does a wonderful job of analysing the history of our masochistic love affair with the seaside. It would have been so easy for this book to have been stitched together from a few light-hearted anecdotes culled from some casual reading. But Wish You Were Here is much more than that. Elborough, who grew up in the West Sussex resort of Worthing in the Seventies, has done his research thoroughly and writes with enormous wit and feeling. His book punches far above its weight in both style and substance.' Kathryn Hughes Mail On Sunday

'Elborough is an English nostalgist in the mode of John Betjeman, and his new book is about the tacky, wistful, sticky, glitzy, gloomy heap of deckchairs, boarding houses, pinball machines and glitterballs we call the English seaside. Elborough, who was raised in Worthing, in West Sussex, is more interested in the culture of the seaside than its history, and as a cultural commentator he is a terrific companion. Wish You Were Here is quirky, chatty, charming and optimistic - an ideal read for the English beach.' Frances Wilson Sunday Times

'Elborough shows a subtle understanding of the charms and allure of the seaside holiday. Perhaps, he reflects, "the true magic of the seaside is that its pleasures are individual and fleeting." Meticulously researched and trenchantly expressed, Wish You Were Here is as bright and breezy as a trip on a pleasure steamer.' Michael Simkins, Daily Mail Book of the Week

'Elborough's overview of our lasting love of fish and chips, Brighton rock and paddling is the perfect beach book.' Marie Claire

This event costs £2.00 which will be taken off the price of the book and includes a free ice-cream glass of wine.

Wednesday 21 July 8pm

Stoke Newington Bookshop, 159 Stoke Newington High Street