The Reader Online

Night time is my time. I’m not talking about the onset of dusk as the daylight closes up but the real, dark depths of the night. It’s when I really come to life, in body and in mind. I can cope with mornings if I absolutely have to – just give me adequate space and time (I’d estimate an hour at the very least) by myself to come to terms with the birds chirping, the light glinting through the curtains and the general displacement I feel with being awake at that portion of the day. Afternoon is when things start to kick in, the cogs start to whir, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. By evening I feel comfortable; on a particularly good day, positively chirpy. But it’s when the clock strikes twelve midnight – or slightly before – when I’m at my best. I like to think of it as a slight reversal of the Cinderella effect (not that my days are so oppressive or unbearable – that would be slightly too melodramatic); the world doesn’t lose its gloss or shine after that crucial hour, in fact all the stars and streetlights seem to shine that little bit brighter.

However, being a certified night-owl does have its drawbacks. Particularly in times of trouble, worry or just niggling annoyance, the dark hours can feel sometimes inescapable. Being both a creature of nocturnal habit and a lifelong over-thinker is certainly not a good combination. If thinking becomes its clearest in the shadows of night as opposed to the light of day then finding solace in sleep isn’t the easiest of tasks; there’s been many a time when each exceptionally early or very late - depending on how you choose to view it - hour has drifted by almost unnoticed while I endlessly toss and turn, trying to quiet my thoughts so I can get some shut-eye. Needless to say, counting neither the remaining hours until dawn breaks or sheep helps much (I do think that is something of a rural, rather than urban, myth…makes that’s why it doesn’t work for city-dwellers?) and I greet the new morning with a bigger sigh and sense of confusion than I would normally.

If anyone can write beautifully about a bout of insomnia – and dare I say it, even make it sound in parts something to be envied – then it is Shakespeare. As a writer, a playwright, a creative person, it is entirely understandable that Shakespeare himself would be all too familiar with a mind that awakens intensely at night; the idea of his soul having an ‘imaginary sight’ richly describes how it takes on a life of its own. Yet as ever with Shakespeare, there is more to this sonnet than meets the eye. It is not just creativity that stimulates, but also longing – not for sleep or rest, but for love. The mentions of ‘a journey in my head’ and the ‘zealous pilgrimage’ to a desired one seem almost pre-meditated, evoking more power and control over one’s faculties than physical exhaustion does. Perhaps sleep is overrated after all, if lack of it inspires such a wonderful sonnet.

Sonnet 27

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head,
To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:
For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see
Save that my soul’s imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee and for myself no quiet find.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

The snow didn’t hold us back this time and the new beginning for ‘New Beginnings’, our Conference, Supper and Readers’ Day, was deemed a triumphant success from all involved and attending. Delegates joined us from as far a field as London, Dundee, Cornwall, Durham, Monmouth and Denmark, to join in the discussion about the future of Get Into Reading and enjoy lots of reading together.

At the GIR Conference, Jane Davis talked through the story of Get Into Reading, which was followed by Blake Morrison talking about his first visit to Merseyside to write ‘that’ article and the impact that had not just on us but on him also. This was followed by a showcase of GIR facilitators from over the country, explaining how they’ve taken GIR back to where they live. The morning and afternoon workshops, which covered such diverse topics as: Reading with Young People, What is Reading?, MerseyBEAT Research Project and Get Into Reading in Libraries; were felt by delegates to be really informative and engaging – as was the whole conference. One lady said to me, “thank you for this, it’s been an invaluable experience for me.”

A particular highlight from Friday were the testimoinies spoken by some of our courageous Get Into Reading members, which were deeply moving and inspiring.

The Friday Night Supper saw Blackburne House transformed from day conference venue to an inviting, atmospheric dinner venue. Jane and Phil Davis were joined by David Constantine and Clare Allan to discuss ‘The Value of Reading in a Life’, which led to some amusing and heartfelt stories of the impact of reading. The audience joined in the conversation in great spirit and everyone left very full of food for the body and soul.

The Readers’ Day was great fun! Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips was our host and we had the presence of Clare Allan, Tim Pears and David and Helen Constantine, as well as TRO staff Angela Macmillan, Kate McDonnell and Jane Davis recommending their favourite reads for the first part of the day. Brian’s Paradise Lost workshop was particularly popular and I think everyone’s agreed that he needs to do one for each book of Milton’s epic…

Some comments from attendees:

“I found all the sessions so helpful and informative and the whole atmosphere so friendly and welcoming.”

“It’s been an invaluable experience for me.”

“A phenomenal inspiration: buzzy atmosphere, inspiring content, great lunch, excellent venue, fantastic organisers and punters, really good.”

“Please do this again next year!”

The Reading Revolution, it’s happening!

The longlist of books to be considered for this year’s Orange Prize for Fiction is announced on 18 March.  To launch the promotion of the prize in Liverpool Libraries, one of last year’s shortlisted authors, Samantha Harvey, is coming to Liverpool on Friday 19^th March.

Samantha will be talking about her novel The Wilderness in the Central Library, William Brown Street, starting at 2.30pm.  The event is free and open to all.  Copies of the book will be on sale at the event and can be signed by the author.

The Wilderness tells the story of Jake, a 65 year old architect who develops Alzheimer’s disease.  It is a clear and moving portrait, not only of a sympathetic man, but also of a heartrending disease as seen from the inside out.

The event will be of particular interest to reading groups, who may want to explore the book further together, and also to general readers and people with a personal or professional contact with anyone who has Alzheimer’s disease.

For any more information about the event, please contact Peter Wallace, Reader Development Officer, at Kensington Library, Kensington, Liverpool, L7 2RJ: tel: 0151 233 4495; email wallacep@liverpool.gov.uk

‘Literature, Language and Human Consciousness: One Reader’s Report’

Professor Raymond Tallis (Visiting Professor, School of English)  will give a lecture entitled ‘Literature, Language and Human Consciousness: One Reader’s Report’ on Wednesday 10th March at 2.30 p.m. in the Leggate Theatre, Victoria Gallery and Museum, University of Liverpool (followed by a drinks reception).

Raymond Tallis is a philosopher, poet, novelist and cultural critic, and until recently was a physician and clinical scientist.  He was listed in the Economist’s Intelligent Life magazine  (Autumn 2009) as one of the top living polymaths in the world.

ALL WELCOME. Please contact Cathy Rees, School of English (reescm@liverpool.ac.uk) if you plan to attend the lecture.

Merseyside Community Theatre, Alt Valley, 2010

Romeo and Juliet

The Reader Organisation, in partnership with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Mersey Care NHS Trust, Cobalt Housing, Merseytravel,  Liverpool City Council and Liverpool PCT will be deliver a community production of Romeo and Juliet in August 2010. Full details will be announced shortly.

Please see our website for details of our previous Community Shakespeare production of The Winter’s Tale (Birkenhead Park 2008)

Applications are invited for the post of Designer for the 2010 Merseyside Community Theatre production of Romeo & Juliet.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the concept and delivery of the design, both set and costumes. You will have professional experience and be based locally, preferably with some experience of community work. You will work with the script, director, lighting and sound designers and oversee the whole creative process, ensuring that it is delivered on time and on budget. You will be working with a large team of community volunteers and willingness to work with non-professionals will be a key quality the Director and Producer will be seeking. The production will have 4 weeks rehearsal culminating in 6 performances at the end of August. You will also work on a project launch event scheduled for the end of April 2010.  Fee £3k.

Please send a letter of application and your CV to Zoe Gilling, Business Manager, The Reader Organisation. Applications must be received no later than 5.00pm Tuesday 16th March. No applications arriving after this time will be considered. Email applications are preferred: zoegilling@thereader.org.uk

Interviews will be held at The Reader Organisation offices, 19 Abercromby Square, Liverpool L69 7ZG, on the afternoon of Friday 19th March.

The week just departed was a very important one here at The Reader Organisation, what with the advent of Get Into Reading London at The Reading Cure event in the capital itself and, of course, the successful holding of the first national Get Into Reading Conference alongside the New Beginnings Readers Day after a slight delay. This coming week is also an important one, namely for approximately half of the population. Today is International Women’s Day, a day observed worldwide to recognise the status of women in society and to celebrate their many achievements, be they political, artistic or relating to anything else. Mother’s Day, another important event for some, if not all women (as daughters can celebrate with their mothers too) also takes place this week – for the UK and Ireland it’s at the concluding part of the week but a number of countries across the world honour their mums today. So, it truly is all about the female of the species.

The origins of International Women’s Day date as far back as 1911, at a time when the women’s rights movement was coming to life yet still had a long way to go. Since 1975, the United Nations have officially recognised International Women’s Day. Each year, it is given a different theme to highlight issues relevant to women on both a local and global scale. Though subject to regional variations, 2010’s theme is ‘Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all’. Despite the phenomenal strides women across the world have made towards gaining equality in all spheres of life, there remains a great deal of inequality between men and women in the modern world. It is especially easy at times for those of us in more privileged societies to take for granted the increasing opportunities we have, yet matters such as ‘the glass ceiling’ still exist.

To consider the ongoing need for progress, but also significantly to note just how far things have come and indeed  improved, I have chosen as this week’s featured poem The Captive Dove by Anne Bronte. Writing in the 19th century, at a time when women writers were generally met with prejudice, the Bronte sisters all used male pseudonyms – Currer (for Charlotte), Ellis (Emily) and Acton (Anne) Bell – to publish their works. Now all three are regarded amongst the finest writers in English literature. Anne in particular seems suited to the furthering the cause of women’s empowerment through her writing – The Tenant of Wildfell Hall portrays independent female characters and has been called one of the first ever feminist novels. Considering the period in which it was written, we can take the captive dove of the poem to represent many women – of course this was a time when the outlook for women was not good, to say the least. Now it can stand for something, or someone else – women, or even men and children, who are in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves. But even then, it seemed to also stand for another thing as Anne herself mourns for the dove’s captivity; her worries are diminished in light of witnessing this defenceless creature. It is a poem of mourning and empathy but also hope and the power of companionship, or at the very least having someone else to ensure your own voice is heard.

The Captive Dove

Poor restless dove, I pity thee;
And when I hear thy plaintive moan,
I mourn for thy captivity,
And in thy woes forget mine own.

To see thee stand prepared to fly,
And flap those useless wings of thine,
And gaze into the distant sky,
Would melt a harder heart than mine.

In vain–in vain! Thou canst not rise:
Thy prison roof confines thee there;
Its slender wires delude thine eyes,
And quench thy longings with despair.

Oh, thou wert made to wander free
In sunny mead and shady grove,
And, far beyond the rolling sea,
In distant climes, at will to rove!

Yet, hadst thou but one gentle mate
Thy little drooping heart to cheer,
And share with thee thy captive state,
Thou couldst be happy even there.

Yes, even there, if, listening by,
One faithful dear companion stood,
While gazing on her full bright eye,
Thou mightst forget thy native wood.

But thou, poor solitary dove,
Must make, unheard, thy joyless moan;
The heart, that Nature formed to love,
Must pine, neglected, and alone.

Anne Bronte (1820-1849)

Liverpool’s museums are marking International Women’s Day 2010 with a week of special events which aim to explore and celebrate the contributions women have made to our culture. As part of the programme, the Walker Art Gallery is holding a session entitled ‘Women Artists – A Poet’s View’ on Monday 8th March which promises to give an insight to female poets, charting the rise of women artists through poetry.

Led by Gladys Mary Coles, the workshop also gives the chance for attendees to get in touch with their creative side and get writing themselves. Guidance will be on hand to help develop writing technique, so complete novices and practising poets alike are catered for. The array of works on display in the exhibition are sure to drum up inspiration for visitors to produce their own poetic masterpieces.

The session takes place from 10am to 1pm. Places are limited, to book call 0151 478 4178.

For more information on the programme of events taking place, visit the National Museums Liverpool website.

It’s finally here, and there’s no snow(!), our ‘New Beginnings’ Get Into Reading Conference is being held today (and Readers’ Day tomorrow). Blake Morrison, Tim Pears, Dr David Fearnley, Clare Allan, David Constantine and many others to join us over the two days (and night!). A report will follow next week!

Today is World Book Day and to celebrate, we have some international reading recommendations (and a few comments), brought to you by Eleanor Stanton, GIR Project Worker and Grace Farrington, Project Researcher.

Grace:

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (India) – Had to read and talk about the first page in an interview, which caught me and made me want to read the whole novel.

The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster (US, various) – Read this when I was having a bad day, helped me to get through the day and the night.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Russia)

The Diary of Anne Frank (Amsterdam)

Zlata’s Diary by Zlata Filipovic (Sarajevo, Bosnia) – One of my favourites of the books I read as a child.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Georgia, US)

Eleanor:

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (India)

The Bookseller of Khabul by Asne Seierstad (Afghanistan)

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (India/America)

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (India)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Siberia)

Holes by Louis Sachar (America)