If modern life feels loud, fast and mildly overwhelming, this might be your sign. A thoughtful book talk in Shepherd’s Bush is coming to the Market this March, and it promises calm, clarity and a touch of gentle rebellion.
On Friday 6 March 2026, author and editor Tom Hodgkinson will appear in Arch 156, hosted by Special Rider Books and Records. The evening runs from 7:15pm to 9:00pm and offers far more than a standard reading .The talk is based on Tom’s new book, How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness, published this February. Drawing on Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, he explores how Stoicism helps us stay calm, free and amused in an anxious world .
This isn’t dry philosophy. It’s practical wisdom with humour and heart. Expect reflections on modern stress, digital overload and how to reclaim your time without moving to a cave. Tom is editor of The Idler magazine and founder of the Idler Academy of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment. In other words, he knows a thing or two about thoughtful living with a wink.
And because this is Shepherd’s Bush Market, things won’t stay too serious. Tom’s band, The Loafers, will perform a short set of Stoic-themed songs. There will also be audience questions at the end of the evening. Existential queries are welcome. So are practical ones.
This book talk in Shepherd’s Bush is perfect for curious minds, philosophy fans and anyone who feels slightly frazzled by 2026 already. Make a night of it. Grab dinner in the Market beforehand and then settle in for an evening of ideas under the arches. Stoicism teaches us to focus on what we can control. Booking your ticket is definitely one of those things. Join us in March and leave feeling calmer, wiser and possibly humming along to a Stoic anthem.
19th February 2026
