The authors of bestseller “The Sugar Girls” will be signing copies of their new book at Newham Bookshop on Saturday as part of a campaign to draw people to local bookshops.

Newham Recorder: Newham Bookshop manager Vivian Archer, right, and customers promote the reading campaign Books are my Bag.Newham Bookshop manager Vivian Archer, right, and customers promote the reading campaign Books are my Bag. (Image: Archant)

Duncan Barrett and Nuala Calvi will be promoting their newest non-fiction hit GI Brides which interweaves the tales of four women who fell in love with soldiers in the American military while they were posted in Britain during the Second World War.

Newham Recorder: Newham Bookshop manager Vivian Archer promotes the reading campaign Books are my Bag.Newham Bookshop manager Vivian Archer promotes the reading campaign Books are my Bag. (Image: Archant)

Over 70,000 young women swooned for uniformed officers and crossed the Atlantic to join them after the war.

Their new non-fiction book follows four such women to find out how they adapted to their new lives as GI Brides.

Joining the authors at the Bookshop in Barking Road, Plaistow, will be authors such as Barbara Nadel, whose mystery novel A Private Business is set in Newham.

The story follows the investigation into a victim being stalked around the time of the London 2012 Olympic Games, which soon becomes more complex and sinister.

The authors’ visit is part of a national campaign, “Books are My Bag”, which celebrates independent bookshops through collaborations with publishers and authors.

Newham Bookshop owner Vivian Archer hopes the event will reach out to the community and encourage people to support their local, independent bookshops.

The distinctive yellow-fronted bookshop, across the street West Ham United football ground, has been a firm favourite of residents for the past 35 years and the “Books are My Bag” event is one of many events taking place to celebrate Newham Bookshop’s anniversary in the community.

Patrick Neale, President of the Booksellers Association which is backing the campaign, said: “Booklovers need to part of this renewed zeal to keep books on the high street.

We urge you to go into your local bookshop on Saturday September 14 and buy a book in recognition of the many wonderful hours you have spent perusing bookshop shelves.

“Just get involved and vote with your feet for the high street you want to see in the future.”

Newham Bookshop will be offering a discount of up to 25 per cent on all books in store from 12pm to 2pm on Saturday September 14.

For more Newham Bookshop events, click here .