Explore our August book of the month with award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh.

The magic of the night train: headlamps ablaze, passengers boarding after sunset and arriving in new cities at dawn.

For Monisha Rajesh, the unique thrill of sleeper trains inspired a new journey around the world. From sipping pisco sours aboard the Andean Explorer to retracing the original route of the Orient Express, Moonlight Express takes us on an unexpected, at times hilarious adventure - and drops us back at the platform before sunrise.

"I love trains, and nobody writes trains like Monisha Rajesh. Most of all, I'm nuts about night trains. You can't beat shuffling into a dead, post-apocalyptic station, slipping or battling into sleep, and waking up, emerging into another city that is just coming alive." - Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting

"A moonlit express train to travel writing heaven, steaming through the night emitting plumes of bright sparks from its smokestack. This is Monisha Rajesh's wittiest and most irresistible adventure yet." - William Dalrymple

Monisha Rajesh is a British journalist whose writing has appeared in Time magazine, the New York Times, and Vanity Fair. Her first book, Around India in 80 Trains, was named one of the Independent's best books on India. Her second book, Around the World in 80 Trains, won the National Geographic Traveller Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year. In 2024 she was named in Conde Nast Traveller's Women Who Travel Power List. She lives in London.

At the BookCellar we believe that the only thing better than a book is a glass of wine to go along with it. At each of our author events we work with our guest to pair their book with a perfectly matched wine. You can then purchase your ticket, the book and a bottle of the chosen wine at a discount (reflected in the price listed below). This event will be paired with a Benieres Pinot Noir 2024, IGP Pays D'Oc, France, which in the author's words is "It’s a light-bodied wine that’s good for evening drinking and won’t interrupt sleep. Perfect for taking on a night train and enjoying in a dining car!"

Tickets: £8
Ticket & Book: £28 (save £5)
Ticket, Book & Wine: £43.10 (save £10)

Date: Thursday 13th August
Time: 8:00pm-9:00pm

Due to this event being held in our downstairs event space, this event will not be wheelchair accessible.