Got the new girl on the till, had to point out the deal for the day on these books not that it was a problem, everyday there are new books, new deals or the prices change. Books in hand, I sat down on the brightly covered sofa with its orange cushions and throw and took in the surroundings.
Let's say that it was orange, very ornate and in the corner of the room an artist was decorating the wall for "City of a 1000 stories". The idea behind it is to tell the story of our wonderful city through drawings and anyone can contribute when visiting the Library and Pop-Up Bookshop, have a read of the blog from the event at: http://cityof1000stories.blogspot.co.uk/
Whilst in the bookshop, a few members of the organising committee and team from Writing West Midlands came in to collect stuff for the big event that evening, Stuart Maconie and Caitlin Moran at the CBSO.
As I was standing pretty, I offered to help with the loading of the boxes and props that were needed. Sara had to park at the Copthorne Hotel, which involved walking through the Paradise Forum with crowds of people while I was balancing boxes on my arms! We made it though and the car was packed. Read about Caitlin and Stuart, who are both local authors to Brum at http://www.birminghambookfestival.org/the-world-according-to-moran-maconie-3887/ or alternatively their websites http://www.how-tobeawoman.com/ and http://www.stuartmaconie.com/
Debut Authors
Next task was some relaxation with Tanya Byrne and Louisa Reid, held in the murky depths of the library in the lower ground floor, the business centre had just finished work for the day as we trundled in. The warning bells signalling closure for the library started the event at 5.30 and the announcement from the Library Staff that we will be locked in, took me back to my youth when I tried to hold off until the very last second before I left.
Tanya Byrne's book Heart-Shaped Bruise is about a 17 year old girl called Emily who writes a journal that she is not meant to have and through her words, you find out why she is in the psychiatric facility of Youth Offenders Institute. Tanya spoke about her book with passion, excitement and even though she told us most of the main plots, she saved the suspense and tension for the page turning. She answered all the questions that she was asked with a smile on her face, honesty and a love for her chosen path and this is going to come out in the book I believe. Can't wait to get stuck in. Follow her @tanyabyrne on twitter, or facebook https://www.facebook.com/tanyabyrnewrites
Louisa Reid's book Black Heart Blue is about two sisters stories, Hepzi and Rebecca, each tell their own story before and after Hepzi has died. Rebecca is now free from her sisters shadow, as a suffered from Treacher-Collins Syndrome, she has always been the one people couldn't talk to. Follow their story as it unravels. This book appeals to me for the two sides of the stories, the dark nature of the plot line. Find out more about Louisa at http://www.louisareid.com/ Twitter @louisareid.
PARTY TIME IN THE LIBRARY THEATRE
I walked in after finishing at the Book signing and the music was playing in the background, Reggae from the speakers mixed with acoustic guitars from two gentleman sat on chairs in the audience. The stage had a theme of someones front room, chairs placed around, tables there was books, vinyls and food/drink placed out ready.
The theme for the evening was Independence Party, the freedom from the reigns of rulers, dictatorship and personal steps towards the release of shackles. There was poetry, prose and music in the first half where eight performers from the group Writers without Borders.
We have Urdu for a poem about personal freedom from marriage, we have poetry about the English taking over the Tea Empire and we have music and dance from the belly dancer much to the embarrassment of her brother who was also on stage!
It was informal, fun and very captivating to the audience, I can see why they are asked to come back year after year to entertain the audiences.
Writers without Borders is a Birmingham based group of writers from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Some have lived in England for many years and others have arrived in the country quite recently. The group includes professional, semi-professional , new and emerging writers and meets monthly at Stageside Bar and Restaurant, Birmingham, to share their work. Here is there blog: http://wwborg.wordpress.com/
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