Louise O'Neill: A Bigger Life

At 38, Louise O’Neill had the life she thought she wanted— until her long-term relationship ended, taking with it the home, future, and sense of certainty she’d built. Heartbroken but defiant, she made a radical decision: to say yes to everything, to take risks, and to reclaim her life—on her own terms.

What followed was a dating experiment that took her across Paris, London, New York, and beyond. Through the men she meets and the moments in between, Louise begins to challenge everything she’s been taught to settle for – in life, love, and in herself.

Part memoir, part manifesto, A Bigger Life is a candid, courageous exploration of modern womanhood, sexual freedom, and the myths we’re sold about what makes a life worthwhile. It’s about embracing uncertainty, finding joy after heartbreak, and creating space for the version of yourself that doesn’t play small.

Louise invites us to laugh, wince, and reflect as she asks the question at the heart of the book: What does it really mean to live a bigger life?

The event will be followed by book sales and a signing with the author.

Tickets: £12

Age Guidance: 16+

Louise O'Neill

Louise O’Neill is the bestselling and multiaward-winning author of Only Ever Yours, Asking For It, Almost Love, and Idol. Known for her sharp, fearless feminist writing, she has become one of the most important voices in contemporary Irish literature. Her work has been widely praised for its bold social commentary and emotional depth. A Bigger Life is her first full-length memoir.

Hosted by Toni Jones

Toni Jones is a former journalist turned bibliotherapist and the founder of the Shelf Help Club, the world's first dedicated self-help book club, established in 2017. Her journey into the personal development space began following burnout during a high octane career in media, when she turned to self-help books as a tool for recovery and change. Over the past ten years she's read 1,000+ self-help books, interviewed hundreds of authors and wellbeing experts, and built a global community inspiring 25,000+ to read, reflect, and apply self- development. Her debut book, YOU (The Beginner's Guide), distils the most important lessons from a decade immersed in this space into a pocket-sized three-step framework designed to help people get to know themselves better.