An acclaimed non-fiction author who placed adverts seeking father figures – dubbed “dadverts” – in newspapers and magazines is heading to Medina Bookshop next month to share the story behind her unusual personal quest.
Georgie Codd will appear at the Isle of Wight’s award-winning Medina Bookshop on Wednesday 26th November to talk about her second book Never Had a Dad: Adventures in Fatherlessness, published by William Collins.
The book, which began as a personal experiment at age 31, was inspired by a stranger’s practical joke. It has since received praise from major publications, with The Times describing it as “a dating quest with a difference” and the Daily Mail calling it a “strange, touching but often very funny account of one woman’s search for a father figure”. The story has also been optioned for a potential TV series.
Georgie Codd has said:
“I can’t wait to spark some new conversations at Medina Bookshop about fathers and parenting – not least some of the weird, wonderful ways we can create the family structures we need.
“When I started my search for the perfect dad, I had no idea how things would turn out. But over 50 men applied, each of them teaching me something; helping me to pinpoint what we need from fathers and why.
“It won’t surprise any islanders to learn there were bumps in the road – though the ultimate results of the project were completely unexpected! Along the way I also sought out experts around the world to learn what dads are really for at different ages and stages of life. I took a close look at the impacts of growing up in a fatherless household too, unpicking the experience I had.
“Dads, parenting and families are subjects that always get people talking. I can’t wait to connect with Medina’s audience to hear their responses and thoughts.”
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Paul Armfield, manager of Medina Bookshop, has said:
“This is such a quirky but touching story. As a dad myself I’m fascinated to hear more about her experiences, I look forward to a fascinating and entertaining evening.”
Georgie Codd’s first book We Swim To The Shark, an exploration of fear, the sea and scuba diving, was published in 2020. Her latest work gained international attention when it was previewed by the hit US radio programme This American Life and has since been featured by the BBC World Service, The Express, i News and others. The paperback edition was released in June.
The event adds to Medina Bookshop’s growing reputation as a cultural hub on the Isle of Wight. The venue, which won Independent Bookshop of the Year for the South East at the 2025 Bookseller Awards, regularly hosts intimate performances by writers, poets and musicians.
Advance booking is essential. Further details can be found at: www.medinabookshop.com/events
