It’s the afternoon after the night before….and the first Blue Lounge Book group was ace on toast.
We had about 30 people turn up to discuss Richard Milward’s ‘Apples’ and the group was a mix of ages and backgrounds, and everyone had something to say (which was good for me).
There were apples, sour apple chews (cos some of the book is sour innit?) and a suitable compilation cd of songs picked by the author and me.
One group member summed the book perfectly up as ‘West Side Story meets Jeremy Kyle’, and aswell as discussing what we liked or disliked about the book, the group threw up debates on Thatcherism and its effects on Teesside’s youth; how men have been influenced by a patriarchal system; taking drugs in your teens and your later years; bad sex awards; and whether or not this book should be given to GCSE student.
Special thanks goes to the Blue Lounge for providing us with a lovely venue, serving excellent cocktails (Raspberry Martinis in particular) and sorting out food for a bigger group than expected. Any feedback on the night is much appreciated…..if you’d like to see any changes to the night, let us know in the comments section!
Next month, it’s more of the same on Tues 29 April 2008 from 6.30pm-8.00pm and I cannot wait! The next book is Something Borrowed by Paul Magrs, which is set in Whitby and includes zombies, antique shops and Icelandic history.
You can get the book from Middlesbrough Central Library for free and if you want your own copy, remember you get 20% off at Borders in Teesside Park!
What a nice evening - good mix of ages and views, lovely hostess and very nice venue. And nachos. And some interesting politics. Brilliant thanks.
Really enjoyed the evening, thank you. Look forward to the next one.