50 bookers meet up 2024

[PermanentTemporary]

Well... I'd love to meet you all!

Anyone who thinks they might be interested in coming to meet and talk books, post here.

There are going to be lots of dates, ideas and places and i wonder if anyone would be willing to organise with me?? It would mean private messaging and perhaps moving to WhatsApp or email at some point. Maybe 3 of us?

[MamaNewtNewt]

I'm happy to help organise

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

I'm going to squat, because I'm 50/50 on the 50 meet, when I get a chance tomorrow i'll DM you Perm.

My preferences for the meetup location shouldn't factor as I'm undecided but for the record it's

Manchester
London
Bath

[MamaNewtNewt]

Forgot to say my preference would be Manchester, London then Bath as well.

[BestIsWest]

A maybe from me
Bath
London
Manchester is probably too far.

[PermanentTemporary]

I would be happy with anywhere (hence why the thread) but would probably say -
London
Manchester
Bath

[FuzzyCaoraDhubh]

I'd love to join in a meet-up. I think it could be a bit of fun! My preference would be London as I would plan to go with DH and maybe youngest dc for a short break. I've never been to Manchester and I would consider it. I think going to Bath could be more complicated so probably wouldn't go for it.

I can't offer to help organise as I'm outside the country, but thanks to those who might take this on. I hope to make it. I've nothing else on this summer yet so far so you never know!

[Sadik]

I'll come if I can, but can't commit as all three are a long way from me, so it'll depend if I can combine with something else. Plus due to elderly dad often end up having to cancel trips at short notice. But theoretically I'd love to come!

[Sadik]

Could this thread be ongoing, such that if (for example), one of us is in Manchester / London etc, we can post & see if anyone wants to meet up in a smaller informal sort of a way?

[highlandcoo]

I'd like to meet up too.

Manchester is easy for me
London is possible
Bath would be harder

@Sadik I agree. It doesn't have to be only one big event. In fact a small local meet-up initially could be really nice.

[noodlezoodle]

@Sadik

Could this thread be ongoing, such that if (for example), one of us is in Manchester / London etc, we can post & see if anyone wants to meet up in a smaller informal sort of a way?

That's a good idea Sadik. I'd love to come but I haven't got my UK summer trip dates set yet so I'm annoyingly vague on plans. However, when I am in England I'm on the outskirts of London so it's easy to get in for a mini-meet up, if I can't make the main event.

Thank you to our venerable organisers, it's a tricky task!

[RazorstormUnicorn]

Manchester is good for me, London ok. In fact although London is further I do have friends there nagging me for a visit, so despite my reluctance I really should sort out a trip!

I'm generally a busy bee so joining in now and would come if I am free on the date decided.

[BlindurErBóklausMaður]

My preference would be
Bath
London

I do go north at the end of August to visit relatives in Nottinghamshire but haven't got as far as Manchester for years, time constraints wouldn't allow it really.

[DesdamonasHandkerchief]

I'd be interested in coming I'm from Manchester, and still have family there, but live 30 miles from London so either of those works for me.

[FortunaMajor]

I'd definitely do Manchester if the dates work and could consider either London or Bath, but it would be less likely I'd make it.

Just going crazy and throwing out there that doing 2, one in each the north and south at different times of the year would probably be best then those limited can go to one nearer and those with options could choose or do both.

Alternatively I could just shut up.

Happy to be involved in organising a Manchester one as familiar with venues with spaces to meet depending on numbers.

[PermanentTemporary]

@FortunaMajor I'm thinking that it would be good to go for at least two baskets with London eggs and Manchester eggs separated. Otherwise we are going to be excluding some people, and there's no need! Keeping it flexible.
Over the next few days I'll message the volunteers and will be unable to restrain myself from making a spreadsheet.

[ChessieFL]

I’m not sure if I would go or not (I would love to put some faces to names but shyness/social incompetence means I would be very apprehensive about it!).

Therefore I don’t think my preferences should really be taken into account but for what it’s worth it would be Bath then London. I wouldn’t come if it’s Manchester, too far/expensive to get to.

[PermanentTemporary]

Hope you'll think about it @ChessieFL. We'll have to think of a really tempting book(s) to discuss

[bibliomania]

Manchester
London
Bath
would be my order.

I like the suggestion of one north and one south.

For anyone feeling shy, I think the chances are high that most of us aren't social butterflies - we clearly all like to retreat to the covers of a book. Nobody will judge.

[DesdamonasHandkerchief]

So true bilomania 😂 and really for those wavering what's the worst that can happen - you have a not particularly enjoyable afternoon 🤷‍♀️ not the end of the world. Feel the fear and do it anyway 💪

[MorriganManor]

I am feeling reassured by the number of shy and reserved people, so I’ll put a very tentative Manchester down, but please don’t count that as any sort of deciding vote.
I’ve been to meet ups of MNers before (small friendship group types, not the big ‘official’ ones), plus ones related to a hobby. I think I’m just a bit out of practice and probably need to arm myself with my copy of Cuddy and prepare to fend off all naysayers with a saintly glare

[cassandre]

I'm not yet sure of my timetable in August, but my preferences would be: London, Manchester, Bath.

Thanks to @PermanentTemporary and @MamaNewtNewt for offering to organise! 🙏

It's a good point that us bookish types are less likely to be social butterflies 😁. I'd love to meet some of you though!

[BadSpellaSpellaSpella]

My preferences would be

Bath
London or Manchester (both take about the same time to get to)

[saturnspinkhoop]

I could do London. I think the idea of a meet up in two or more locations is a good one.

[CornishLizard]

Thank you PermanentTemporary and MamaNewtNewt for offering to organise! My preference would be 1) equal London or Bath or 3) Manchester.

[TimeforaGandT]

My preference would be London but might make it to Bath. Unlikely to get to Manchester.

However, I am trying to arrange two family events this summer and struggling to settle dates for those so I am only a possibility rather than a certainty depending on the date that’s fixed.

Many thanks to this if you willing to wrestle with dates and locations - a thankless task!