Sunday 7 April 2013

Pretty Nostalgic Book Group


Hello!
What a lovely morning.
I have just returned home from my very first Pretty Nostalgic book group.
It is to be held every 2 months to run inline with their bi-monthly magazine.
If you haven't already picked up a copy of Pretty Nostalgic you are really missing out, it is fab.

Our first book was chosen from a selection of classic children's novels. We chose Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. The leader of our book group is Sam Young, one of the editors at Pretty Nostalgic.
Now, being totally honest I actually found this book rather hard going to begin with but as I got more involved in the characters, and stopped myself expecting anything too exciting to happen, I did start to enjoy it.
I don't know if you are familiar with the story, my dad read it to me when I was too small to really remember but a few bits were familiar to me so maybe I have stored snippets away at the back of my mind.


The book club meeting place
Richmond Tear Rooms, Richmond St, Manchester

It is a very innocent, naive tale and it does inspire one to get back to nature and possibly embark on a few childlike adventures. It has certainly encouraged me to return to our camping routes.
I am not going to say too much more about the book, it will all be in the magazine but I do want to share the whole book club experience with you.








This was my first visit to Richmond Tea Rooms. I had heard quite a bit about it through friends and it certainly lived up to expectation. Such a fantastic, dreamlike interior, all very Alice in Wonderland.
We sat in a cosy indoor conservatory that was tastefully festooned with plants and lanterns, there was so much to look at. We were all made to feel very welcome and
the coffee was fab, and I had decaff which can sometimes be a bit of a let down.


The six of us discussed the book for a good while and many of us shared the same thoughts and opinions. We also chose the same favourite characters. I am so looking forward to the next book.
As a couple of people said, and I agree, it is rather nice to step out of ones reading comfort zone and explore different types of literature.


At the end of the meeting we were all given some apt gifts which included a bottle of Ginger beer (or Grog as the Walkers called it), a piece of seed cake that was played down by Sam (her baking) but was actually delicious, and a mini jar of marmalade. This was a real treat and made the whole event extra special.


Please look out for me and the gang in the magazine. I think it will be a good read.
Maybe you will fancy becoming a book club member or possibly read Swallows and Amazons for yourself.
Thanks for reading. x



13 comments:

  1. It's lovely there isn't it? Just wrote a mini review on Richmond Tea Rooms for Pretty Nostalgic after replying to a post on FB. Hopefully Sam took some photos of it!

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    1. Hi Clare, I think it was a bit of a struggle for pics. So busy.
      Sam has it under control. I will look forward to reading your review.x

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  2. Oh I love a good book group I do, I want to start one up again x I love the pretty Nostalgic magazine too, oh and have always loved Swallows and Amazons x Penny

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  3. I reviewed s&a when they reissued them last year. Those were the days when children could just go off and play SAFELY! I've been part of a book group for 8years now. We've read some great books, okay books and really dreadful books! The tea rooms look divine; we meet in a pub, in the upstairs room, nothing as nice! What's your next choice?

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  4. We don't know what are next book is yet. All the books will be by a British author and have to have a bit of age with it being a Vintage magazine.
    Very excited to find out, will let you know. What are you reading? X

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    1. Sounds intriguing! Can I recommend Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson (which I think is British) pub by Persephone Books; we read it and loved it, do check it out even if not for this book group as it's well worth it. Persephone publish out-of-print treasures; they have a website, which is worth a look, and the books are divinely packaged too!

      We are reading True Grit by Charles Portis this month, and Oliver Postgages Autobiography (creator of Bagpuss, Clangers, Ivor the Engine, Pugwash etc) for next month!

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  5. this looks like such wonderful fun.i love pretty nostalgic and get it sent over to australia! mezz x

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  6. Hi There, What a lovely place!!! I could certainly become a "meeting slave" if it took place there all the time!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  7. Swallows and Amazons forever. Wow what a wonderful place for a meet up it all looks so lovely. Sarah x

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  8. I read Swallows and Amazons a couple of years ago and loved it! Lovely the gifts - could they not find any Pemmican to give you?!

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  9. That looks like a wonderful idea. I've stopped reading so much lately and really would like to get back into it - how did you join?

    :)

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  10. Oh that sounds amazing! I loved Swallows and Amazons as a child, the book and the tv series, or was it a film? I became obsessed with learning to duck dive like Titty/Kitty. I will look out for that magazine. x

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  11. That tea rooms looks ace (had never heard of it before). I'll be checking them out soon...

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