Santa might not be there – he’s probably busy with his elves – but we hope you’ll come along to trade books and opinions (and maybe some gossip) while sipping cocktails at our upcoming Book Swap and Cocktail Party on Friday 6 December.

We’re hosting the event in the first-floor event room of The Star Inn, Alfriston, from 6:30pm.

Bring along a book you’ve enjoyed – and take home something you discover that somebody else has brought to trade. Enjoy something delicious to sip and savour bookish chat with other like-minded book lovers.

The £5 ticket includes a free ‘Blind Date’ book - a wrapped volume whose identity will only be revealed when you unwrap it at home.

And for Christmas, we’re giving everyone a special gift to put under your tree.

The Star offers a range of wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic ‘mocktails’ which you will be able to purchase at the bar.

Previous Book Swap evenings have been great fun, garnering terrific reports from guests like Katie Greaves, who told us “it was utterly joyous exploring an eclectic mixture of books people brought and chatting to so many lovely people about books that have moved them, shaped them, shocked them, and stayed with them forever. I loved it!”

Please help our planning by securing your place in advance (we will keep a guest list - no tickets for you to deal with).