book event

 

The Book Talk

It was a good evening on Monday the thirtieth, with my friend Samantha. The event was held at Kings Place. I didnt know what to expect as we walked from Kings Cross Station. It had always seemed a bit of a seedy area and not somewhere I would like to be walking about late at night. But London had changed, with the skyscraper office blocks, wine bars replacing the old pub on the corner and fancy pavement cafes, just like Paris.  From Kings Cross we passed the many office workers rushing along to get home and soon approached this big glass building, inside was open plan, very spacious and full of light.  We were greeted by friendly staff in black and white uniforms, telling us where to go.  Our Book Event  was being held inside hall two and we headed up the escalator to that floor. It was a while before the star talker Tracy Chevalier came onto the stage and in between time we were entertained by a with it young man, dressed in jeans who interviewed another writer on stage.. He also went around with the microphone asking the audience questions, joining us in, making it all interesting. There was a book group in the audience and we were asked our favourite childhood book.  I called out that mine was `Heidi` that lovely story,  about a little girl who goes to stay with her Grandad in Switzerland in the mountains. I loved it and confess I have been reading it again in recent years - yes even at my age.   Tracy Chevalier talked about her work and the audience could ask questions and read out a piece from her latest book - that was all very interesting and what a lovely film that was - `The Girl with the Pearl Earing` based on the artist Vemeer. that she wrote the book about.  Afterwards there was a quizz, hosted by this with it young man who seemed very at home with the audience participation. Although, Samantha and  I did not do so well at this quizz, putting down Dickens play Oliver, where it should have been Les Miserables. Never mind, we got two right I think..  Two young women, behind us, got the answers right and won two books - that were the prize.  In the interval we had a glass of wine at the bar and just outside was the Regents Canal, where narrow boats docked. Seating was available by the Canal and on a warm summer evening, you could imagine it to be a lovely spot to sit on this patio and view the scene, although one would have to be careful not to have too many wines, as the river was close to the edge. .  Walking back down to the Station, we talked about the lovely evening and perhaps we will go there again. They have different venues, there`s a `Jane Austin` event, - its called "dinner with Mr Darcy" - never know, i might meet my Mr Darcy there.  Samantha suggested dressing up and lending me some kind of Jane Austin dress, but I think Ill decline on that.