Want me to join your book group? Just ask…

Over the last month, I’ve possibly attended/joined more book groups than usual. I’m not sure why it happened like this? Maybe the culmination of it being the ten year anniversay of first getting a book deal, maybe now having had eleven books published, or maybe just because I’m open (always) to meeting readers old and new. It’s my favourite part of being an author. (Well, aside from the actual writing…) In March I was invited by the brilliant Yorkshire Reads, a HUGE group spread across my great county, to bombard local Beverley bookshops and then enjoy lunch and a bookish quiz. (I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t even get an answer right when it was about my own book!) Each month, they visit a different town to try out new bookstores, and of course buy piles and piles of books.

I was also invited to tea with friend Lisa Lee’s work book group in Hull. They had read How to be Brave, my debut, which is a pretty important book for Lisa and I – we both have daughters with Type 1 Diabetes. I took all the pictures and newspaper cuttings I have of Grandad Colin, and it was wonderful to see his survival story then brought even more to life before their eyes. They couldn’t believe how small his lifeboat was. Telling his tale again and again keeps him alive; keeps all wartime tales alive. I also co-hosted anotherly monthly All Write Now with Valerie Valente and Lynda Harrison. At this Hull writing group we do workshops and writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing. This month I shared how I wrote my memoir, Eighteen Seconds. I also joined Hull’s Silent Book Club. Yes, me. Silent. For an hour. Reading with them all. And it was magic.

Last week I travelled to Gainsborough to join Pudding and Pages, another large reading group who choose a book to read each month and then meet for dessert to discuss it. How could I say no to cheesecake scattered with space sparkles to celebrate their book choice, Orbital by Samantha Harvey? Friend and passionate book reviewer Anne Cater is a member and it was lovely to see her. The group have chosen Eighteen Seconds as their next read, and there was a powerful moment when a member shared something very painful, feeling it was a safe space, as a result of a question to do with the title. These things tell me I was right to share my story of childhood trauma. Doing so helps others to do the same.

This week I’ll be joining the Hull Waterstones Book Group because they’ve been reading Lights Out. You always hope that they’ve enjoyed it, especially when you’re joining them for the discussion. But that said, I’m a big girl, and don’t mind healthy critique. It’s how we learn and grow. So, honesty is always welcome. After that … watch this space. I’m always open to joining book groups, so just message me. If it’s too far to visit physically, I can always zoom you. Happy reading!