Sunday, October 30, 2011

Why we love London

Artwork by Tony DiTerlizzi 

Sarah and I try to meet up at least once a month in town for book swapping, book talking, writerly talking and book buying.

Yesterday we were joined by the ever cool Caroline from Portrait of a Woman website.  We met up at Foyles where we said "hi" to Neil who was busy doing grown up bookseller things and left us to our own devices. <>

We systematically worked our way along the YA shelves, chatting all the way, choosing various books.  Then we moved around the corner and worked our way along the younger bookshelves and helped two mums decide what picture books to buy.  We recommended THE BOY WHO CRIED NINJA and Mini Grey's THREE BY THE SEA and some others.  The mums were very happy and pootled off to buy the swathes of books we suggested.

Then we had a quick yet lazy bite to eat at the very nice Soho Nando's after which we made our way to Forbidden Planet which was heaving!  En route we passed a queue of around 50 people standing outside the fancy dress shop, Angels, on Shaftesbury.  This amused us.

We got to FP and it was heaving - I mean FAR more than usual.  Everyone was there buying and talking and hanging around.  Upstairs they had some FX guys demonstrating some great make-up effects.  Downstairs they had a graphic novelist doing a book signing.  So yes, it was busy.  Caroline met a nice man, I saw Icarus and of course we bought more books.  Then when we got outside, I spotted the very lovely Jim (James) Swallow and I introduced him to the girls.  Jim is one of the nicest people I have ever met - he always has interesting stories to tell and is incredibly encouraging towards aspiring writers.  It was a great random "hello" to a favourite person and as we waved him off,we decided we needed fortification in the shape of some tea.  Then we all ran home!

Here are some pictures to illustrate our cool day out and about.

Turns out Sarah (left) and Caroline (not left) share the same gelaskin obsession

Caroline wondering if this nice man may need some concealer...and breath mints
This Icarus shaped man took my money in Forbidden Planet and I quite fancy that beard...

The books we bought between the 3 of us

11 comments:

serendipity_viv said...

Oooh I wish I lived nearer! I would have loved this. That is saying you would have let me come! Some fabulous books there too.

Raimy from Readaraptor Hatchling said...

sounds like you guys had an awesome day. I definitelly think that the gentleman with Caroline could do with some concealer.. maybe a nose job too!

Jenni (Juniper's Jungle) said...

Sounds like a brilliant day! Icarus' beard is rather impressive!

Alex Mullarky said...

I love London.

Katherine Langrish said...

What a fantastic day out! And great pictures!

Anonymous said...

I live in London and I've never been to Forbidden Planet. That's bad, right?!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Sounds like you all had a great time! :)

Jesse Owen (Reading to Life) said...

Sounds like you all had a pretty fabulous day :D

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

Days out with you guys sound like SO MUCH fun. I'd love to meet up with other bookish people more often!

Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association said...

That picture just blows my mind :D
You guys are so cute - I love how in bookshops book lovers just cant help themselves when it comes to recommending books. I sold 3 books in The Works the other week lol

Buchgestaltung said...

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