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?

It was a real pleasure to meet you all - thank you all for a lovely afternoon. Very much looking forward to reading my book swap and library re-homed books (which do appear sun-lounger suitable @JaninaDuszejko). I feel like it's my turn to travel a bit further next time, so would be keen to consider new destinations, Ireland included!

Great to meet everyone for hours of book chat.. and a special mention to @FortunaMajor who brought a pile of books in excellent condition from her library job (I still don’t know how you got them all into one rucksack- it was like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag!) So we all went home with two books instead of one. Looking forward to reading both of mine 😊

It was such a lovely day and a real joy to meet you all. Would love to do it again and would also be happy to travel.

Agreed, it was a fabulous day! Everyone was so personable and kind. The venue was also great. I’m especially grateful to @FortunaMajor for bringing a mountain of books to give away and to @highlandcoo for the John Rylands library expedition!

Glad you managed your adventure with the young people, @Sadik .

My budget hotel next to the station was very comfy. Am planning to visit the cathedral and the art gallery before heading home later today.

I went to the art gallery yesterday morning before meeting with you all. Loved the Lowry and Valette room and also, rather randomly, a small painting of Cologne with the crane they used to build the Cathedral by Jan van der Heyden.

@JaninaDuszejko I also loved that Dutch painting of the crane! I was surprised that cranes existed so early in history, but when you think about it, how else would they have built the cathedral...?

Highlights for me were the pre-Raphaelite paintings (the women are very intense and over-the-top with their long floating hair) and a woman artist I didn't know called Gwen John, who did some beautiful introspective portraits of women. Her brother Augustus John was also a painter. I learned afterward that she is not really connected to Manchester (she is Welsh and lived for awhile in Paris), but I'm glad to have discovered her.

My impression of Manchester is of a very welcoming and walkable city. When I am able to go back, I will try to see Chetham's Library and Elizabeth Gaskell's house.

I would also be delighted to join in any future meet ups. I'm in Oxford, so if there's any interest in a future Oxford meet up, I'd be happy to organise.

And if any 50-bookers happen to be in Oxford, feel free to DM me and we can talk books over lunch or coffee!

I'd definitely be up for another one - just putting it out there that west Wales is conveniently accessible by both ferry from Ireland & train from England

Gwen John is a favourite of mine. There’s a novel by Margaret Forster about her - Keeping The World Away. I remember enjoying it but can’t remember much about it now.

I’m up for a Welsh meet up.

I can easily make Oxford

@Sadik , I'd definitely be up for Wales!

Thanks @BestIsWest for the Gwyn John recommendation, I want to find out more about her!

And yeah, if I can lure people to Oxford, there are lots of bookish things to do here!

Am up for Oxford, Wales or Ireland!

Cassandre I'm also a Gwen John fan. There was a fabulous exhibition of her work at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester last year, there are some links to further information on their website here: https://pallant.org.uk/whats-on/gwen-john-art-and-life/

And if you're ever in London, there are a few of her pictures at Tate Britain, and included in the current exhibition: https://www.newexhibitions.com/e/63090

I went to that Pallant House exhibit when I was on holiday there

It goes without saying that I am up for any and all meet ups wherever they may be.