Some of you may know I have been a contributor to a fantastic magazine a number of times in the past called Pretty Nostalgic, an independent publication celebrating all things vintage, handmade and brilliantly British. Their latest venture is the Vintage Book Club, and when they asked me whether I'd be interested in starting one well... let's just say I broke my promise to myself that I wasn't going to take anything else on without a moment's thought!
Thanks go to Amy Farry for helping me sort a fab venue in Sheffield on a pretty tight deadline, and between us we recruited the book club's first members, meeting at The Old House bar, to talk about our first vintage read. The theme of this meeting was Children's Adventure Classics, and the title, The Wind in the Willows.
I chose this book because although I knew the story well, I had never actually read it. Also, I loved the idea of the book starting in Spring and going full circle through the seasons, and as we've been waiting for our own warmer weather to arrive for so long it seemed to be a good fit!
So I dug out my grand grandfather's copy of the book from the 1920s, together with my more recent edition, and got stuck into this tale of friendship, adventure and British nature. And oh, how I loved getting lost in this story! It quickly became apparent during our meeting that we had all enjoyed it, and we had a good giggle imagining Mr. Toad as a sort of Russell Brand character!
The Old House were the perfect host for our little gathering. Good food, a cosy and friendly atmosphere and one (very Mr. Toad) flaming cocktail on the part of one of our members and we were happy bookworms!
I have wanted to join a book club for such a long time, and I think the vintage element makes for a interesting twist. As it turns out, Amy and I are both BA Hons. English graduates of the same university, so I think we both enjoyed the chance to chat about old books with new friends... without a tutor demanding deeper and more insightful interpretations of our chosen text...
Mind you, all of us did come up with some thought-provoking theories on the true meaning of The Wind in the Willows and the relationships between its much-loved characters. I really enjoyed getting stuck into a good conversation about this tale.
I'm looking forward to the next meeting already, and will keep you posted on our group's bookish journey right here. And if you're ever in Sheffield, do pay The Old House a visit. You can read all about the other Pretty Nostalgic Book Club's meetings up and down the country in the magazine itself and on their blog soon.
I'd love to know whether you have read The Wind in the Willows and if so, what you thought of it. And how about Kenneth Grahame's lesser known classic, The Reluctant Dragon? It's one of my all-time favourites!
I love 'The Wind in the Willows' it reminds me of my childhood, because I loved the film sp much my dad used to rent it out from the video shop every week. Then he bought me a copy of the book, it has such a lovely cover and wonderful illustrations inside, it will always be one of my favourites.
ReplyDeleteHannah
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www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com
Ooh which video was it Hannah? I loved the animation where Mr. Toad was voiced by David Jason. Your copy of the book sounds lovely. x
DeleteHow lovely, I'm in a book club too, not a vintage one, but a laughter, fun filled one.....oh and we also read and discuss books too! :) x
ReplyDeleteI have a bag which reads, 'my book club only reads wine labels'. Not strictly true in my case but yours sounds a lot of fun! x
DeleteI loved this story as a child.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you saw it, but there was a programme about Kenneth Grahame on last year, and he had a pretty sad life, from what I remember. Puts a different slant on the book!
Lovely idea for a book club. Wish I lives in Sheffield!
I did indeed see the Kenneth Grahame programme - yes, the death of his son was tragic. Well if you're ever in Sheffield... x
Deletewhat can i say other then that i am insanely jealous by ur post and am now seriously considering a move to england! this is pretty much everything i love in one sit-cozy venue, great group of ppl, vintage merriment and reading the classics!oh dear...maybe in the meantime i shld form my own vintage reading circle in melbourne....any suggestions on how to do such a thing?xx
ReplyDeleteMove to England! And definitely form a club in Melbourne before you do! I would use social media to help you, you'll probably find a lot of people in your local area with an interest in vintage books once you ask! x
DeleteHello Anna
ReplyDelete"There must be something in the air !" I too have just started reading this book in the last week.
I treated myself to a 1968 hardback copy with a well loved dust jacket, Maps and pictures a plenty !
I'm taken away from "today" to the side of the Thames ( walked many a time) to hear "friend" chatter, share time and make up their own minds! on everyday every hour events and tasks. .
I'm just past chapter eleven and creeping slowly forward taken away and unwinding..
"Thank you Mum and Dad x for teaching me to read .. ."
Enjoy your book Anna . I'm off on the dusty high way.. Barbara ( In the garden of England !)
Oh really, what a coincidence! A 1968 copy sounds really lovely, and I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I did. x
DeleteI've read part of the book, but never got the opportunity to complete it. It was fascinating, but also had some "lulls" in it where I would become bored (I was very young when my mother introduced me to it). I only vaguely remember the story aside from there being a rather selfish frog somewhere in the mix. I do remember liking the badger a great deal. I'll have to read it again sometime now that I'm older.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very odd chapter which had us a little puzzled, I wonder if we mean the same part. The selfish frog is the best character - Mr. Toad! You'll love it, definitely give it another go :) x
DeleteOooh! A book club! I've always wanted to join one, but have never plucked up the courage. I like the sound of yours very much indeed!
ReplyDeleteI have read The Wind in the Willows. I love the characters! :-)
Carly
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Oh you should join one! A great way to meet like-minded souls. I loved the characters too, we had great fun deciding which ones we most identified with. x
DeleteThat looks like so my much fun. I'd live to join a book club too but with all my crafty bits I doubt that is have the time. I hope it goes well for you.
ReplyDeleteRosie
Thanks Rosie, it's good to be busy but hope you have time to join one one day! x
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea to have a vintage twist on it and a great book to start with.
ReplyDeleteI once visited a house (friend of a friend's) where they had every copy of Alice in Wonderland they could have possibly got their hands on. I found out that he had written his PhD on the tale. Some of the copies were very rare and old. You would have loved the bookshelf. It was a wonderful thing to look at.
Claire x
A vintage book club just sounds so up my street! Like you I've never actually read The Wind in the Willows despite being familiar with the tale and the characters! I feel I need to go and read it now and also take a look at the magazine! x
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! Such a great twist on the traditional book club. If you are ever looking for new members, be sure to give me a shout :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm a recent follower of your lovely blog :)
ReplyDeleteI read this book and have seen a cartoon adaptation of it back when I was in Junior school, but I'd like to go back and read it again now I'm older - it'd be interesting to see what I pick up now! I love the fact that you have a book club, it must be such an intellectual and fun thing to do.
I also adored the photography in this post! I love the look of your grand grandfather's copy of the book from the 1920s.