David Nicholls at Central Library

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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David Nicholls in Conversation

22 April 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

A white, middle aged man with short brown hair and wearing a light blue shirt, sits at a round table by a window and against a white wall. He has his arms crossed on the table.
David Nicholls. Photo: Sophia Spring
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Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing, Creative Manchester and Waterstones Deansgate, best-selling author David Nicholls is one of the trailblazers of this year’s Manchester Literature Festival.

The spring programme for Manchester Literature Festival also includes prolific US and Booker Prize-shortlisted author Percival Everett in conversation about his thrilling retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on 10 April and acclaimed author and critic Olivia Laing talking about her garden-restoration project and the resulting book, The Garden Against Time, on 10 May, also at Central Library.

Described as “one of the UK’s best loved authors”, David Nicholls is back in Manchester to discuss his “witty and engrossing” new novel, You Are Here. Two lonely people, 38-year-old Marnie and 42-year-old Michael, both battered by break-ups and the loss of the futures they’d hoped for, are brought together by a mutual friend and they consequently decide to embark on the Coast to Coast walk. As they travel through stunning landscapes and pouring rain, Marnie and Michael are reminded how to open up to new people, how to have fun in sometimes arduous conditions, and, ultimately, how to love.

David Nicholls has written five previous bestsellers, including Starter for Ten, which has recently been turned into a musical, and One Day, which has been adapted into a new Netflix series starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. He is also a talented screenwriter, garnering an Emmy nomination and a BAFTA win for best writer for his adaptation of Edward St Aubyn’s Patrick Melrose novels, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Come armed with questions and pocket money to pick up a signed copy.

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Where to go near David Nicholls at Central Library

St Peters Square Manchester
City Centre
St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is a public space in Manchester – home to the city’s iconic library, town hall, Pankhurst statue, art gallery and famous Midland Hotel.

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Manchester Art Gallery

The Charles Barry-designed, Grade I-listed Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s leading galleries and is back open for visitors once more.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

Chinatown
Hotel
The Alan

This high-end city-centre restaurant has an excellent afternoon tea option that more than matches up to the superb main menu.

Salut Wines
Chinatown
Bar or Pub
Salut Wines

Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or  “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chinatown
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Manchester Art Gallery Cafe

Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.

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Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

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Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

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