TIME TO READ BLOG FACEBOOK LITERARY LANDMARKS 1 LITERARY LANDMARKS 2
SKIP TO NAVIGATION

Here and Now - visit of Robert Graham

I was really looking forward to Saturday 4th February 2006. Was it my Saturday off from work? No. I was actually going in to work for an event to be held at Palatine Library. I had been looking forward to this ever since reading the book "Holy Joe" at Christmas. Who was this person who had written about such a tragic event and kept me spell bound from page one? All through my reading I was sure that the author had to have experienced something of what he was writing and so I was keen to meet him. So it was I invited Robert Graham to do a reading for us as part of the "Here and Now" promotion and also as part of National Storytelling Week. After all adults like having stories read to them don't they?

Robert arrived in plenty of time and soon there was a nice display of books as well as a table of wine, fruit juice and biscuits. All very welcoming as members of the public started to wander in. Robert read some of the humorous sections from his novel and he soon had the audience engrossed. His gentle voice was very soothing, and, even though I had read the book, I could feel myself being drawn to re - read it. He read for about 30 minutes and then it was time for questions and a little game. After the first question from the floor, Robert tested our listening skills by asking us something about what we had heard. The first person with the correct answer was given a CD. This was done twice and I felt it really added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. The session was supposed to conclude at 3.00p.m. but so great was the interest from the audience that it was 3.45 before Robert was able to leave. I would certainly recommend Robert Graham as a speaker and am waiting for the day when his next book is published and I can ask him to return to Blackpool.

Jane Brooks, Blackpool Library Service

Go to top of page