World Book Night 2013

It was a great day in Liverpool for World Book Night and I got to do some booky things myself.
I gave out my books, The Reader by Bernhard Schlink this year. I chose it because I felt it was an important book to read, historically and socially, as well as a touching human story. It gives you a lot to think about and I hope those who got a copy get something out of it.
After work I headed off to St Georges Hall which had a marketplace with various stalls, cafe and book swaps, and there were talks and discussions too. We couldn't get tickets for the popular speakers, the advance bookings went quickly for Jeanette Winterson and Frank Cottrell Boyce, but there were some drop in sessions and we listened to a talk about the history of the Central Library, which is due to reopen next  month, and also political literature in Liverpool from Steve Binns MBE.
I also got to meet Simon from Savidge Reads which was lovely. My first encounter with a fellow book blogger. Simon has an excellent and very popular blog and has recently moved to the area. He writes for various publications and is actively involved with the literary scene in Liverpool now, indeed he has been working on some of the sessions for the Liverpool Literary Festival In Other Words which is now underway. Among other things we were chatting about The Kite Runner which is getting its European stage debut in this summer, coming to the Liverpool Playhouse from the 13th June. Both of us are fans of the novel. We also both chose The Reader as our giveaway this year.
I came away with a WBN book too... Damage by Josephine Hart. I was trying to be so good.
I hope your WBN was good fun, I would love to hear how yours went.

An Awfully Big Adventure by Beryl Bainbridge

A friend bought me this book a while ago, simply because it is set in my home town and in the Liverpool Playhouse Theatre in 1950. I have never read anything by Beryl Bainbridge even though she was from Liverpool too, and I have to say that even though she was known for her outspoken opinions, her comments about Liverpool people have irked me somewhat. Bainbridge died earlier this year so I thought it was time to put my own prejudices away and give this book a go.

It is 1950 and Stella has been taken on as assistant stage manager just as the Liverpool rep company are about to stage Peter Pan for Christmas and she has fallen for the director, Meredith. Working with all of the other quirky characters who work at the theatre we learn about Stella, her background and vulnerability. The story comes to a head with the return of O'Hara, the legendary actor who is standing in for the lead.

I really enjoyed revisiting locations in Liverpool, some of which I remember but are long gone, like Reece's cafe, Blackler's store and the old Clayton Square. Of course our own lovely Playhouse is still there and going strong. I did however find it really hard to follow at times. It seemed to jump about unpredictably within chapters. It wasn't until towards the end that I started to connect with the the style of the writing and appreciate the subtle layering that was taking place. This was the only time that I began to see why Bainbridge has such a strong following. Sadly for me it was a little late to help me connect with the characters. At times it felt I was seeing them through a fog and only getting snatches of their existence.

I am glad that I did get to see some of the wring talent within the book because a lot of the start was quite sketchy. I did love the trip down memory lane though and I think the writing style will give readers a lot to comment on and discuss.

Book Rags do a study guide for An Awfully Big Adventure with topics for discussion.

To read more about Beryl Bainbridge click the link.

BookCrossing Donation

I released my first book as a bookcrossing book last week. I have always wanted to do this although it was strange leaving something in public...I was more concerned someone would see me. I don't think anyone did.

The book in question was Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels, and I left it in Abercrombie Square in Liverpool, right in the middle of University land. Its a really nice place to sit when it is sunny. Feeling a kind of surrogate maternalism towards the book, I responsibly left it on the seat in the pagoda in the middle for someone to find. It has gone, so someone has picked it up and I hope they enjoy it.

Psychologically I found it a bit strange, preferring to donate books to Oxfam, inside and out of the weather, to be bought by a fellow book lover. This felt reckless, irresponsible. I worried about the book (it was in a plastic bag from BookCrossing), would someone take it? Would a thug tear it up for fun? The whole reason I released this book was because, although appreciated, I did not love it. Someone else might! It was the only way I could leave it. Anyway, someone has it, a reader who visited Abercrombie Square.

I want to count this towards #8 of the 2009 mini challenges, to donate a book (along with the ones I have given to Oxfam and the Book Swap earlier in the year).

More literature in Liverpool 9th-19th Oct

Click here for more information and tickets for this festival.

Liverpool Literary Festival 3rd-9th Nov

The Liverpool Literary Festival schedule has been finalised and tickets are on sale now. There is a whole week of events to choose from at various venues. Speakers include Philip Pullman, Roger McGough, Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage and many more, covering all aspects of literary subjects. You can buy tickets at the Liverpool Philharmonic or online. The whole thing is run by Liverpool University.

Click here for full details.

http://www.liv.ac.uk/literaryfestival

See you there...