Catherine Newman - Wreck
The Shift Live Podcast Recording
WithCatherine Newman
In conversation withSam Baker
On:3rd February 2026, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Attendance options:
We're so excited to welcome Catherine Newman to the bookshop for the release of her latest novel Wreck. Laugh out loud funny and deeply emotional, Wreck follows Rocky and her family through one rollercoaster year as they share the unpredictable, beautiful messiness of life.
Newman will be in conversation with broadcaster and journalist Sam Baker and the event will be recorded live for a future episode of her podcast, The Shift.
This event will take place in the bookshop with an in-person audience, as well as a livestream for attendees watching from home. There will be a signing after the event.
In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of Wreck – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of Wreck.
About Wreck:
Accidents happen - so what happens when they do?
Rocky, Nick, Willa and Jamie. A normal loving, anxious, messy, unpredictable, relatable, family. Rocky has her own her way of processing disasters:
1. This could happen to us.
2. This couldn’t happen to us.
And then there’s a secret third column: ‘This could happen to us unless I am very careful/ superstitious/ grateful…’
So what happens when ‘this could happen to us’ turns into ‘it really might be me’? When a former classmate of Jamie’s dies in a seemingly random accident, Rocky becomes obsessed. She's also developed a niggling medical condition that won't go away. She is still living her best life as the irreverent, funny, unpredictably beating heart of her family. Her father is still his unique, outspoken adorable self; Willa is still prone to bouts of existential angst whilst berating the fact that her mother has zero filter; Nick is still steady, logical, sometimes infuriating.
But if accidents can happen – and they do – is it safe to love anyone?
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Catherine Newman Author
Catherine Newman is the New York Times bestselling author of Sandwich and We All Want Impossible Things, which was also chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club. She is the author of the memoirs Catastrophic Happiness and Waiting for Birdy, and the bestselling children's book How to be a Person. She is a regular contributor to the New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parents magazine, and many other publications. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her family.
Sam Baker Chair
Sam Baker is a journalist, broadcaster and creator and host of the hit podcast, The Shift.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.