The right book at the right time – Way back, when I was a young(ish) mum and had not long started writing, a friend gave me a loan of a poetry book called FAT LIKE THE SUN by ANNA SWIR. Never heard of it? Or, for that matter, her? Well, neither had I…
Last week, along with Glasgow Women’s Library’s popular Read, Relax, Recharge! lunchtime reading group, I ventured out from the frowsy confines of the library and climbed up to the light-filled studio at the top of the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow.
Last Thursday evening I got together with a lovely crowd of women at our soon-to-be home in Landressy Street, Bridgeton for a ‘Books That Changed Our Lives’ event with Orkney-born author, Alison Miller, and GWL Librarian, Wendy Kirk. Alison, whose first novel, DEMO, was published by Penguin, was able to travel down to GWL especially for the event, thanks to the Scottish Book Trust.
Dear Friend,
Just a note to let you know what a great time we had at our Illuminated Letters workshop last Thursday. We had the full use of the amazing studio on the top floor of GoMA in Glasgow, and soon we settled in, filling the space with laughter and chat.
At GWL we’ve been very excited – and inspired – by the Dear Women… Illuminated Letters project we’re launching today at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow. (See the last post for more info.)
The whole idea of mixing text and artwork in letters and journals seems particularly popular with women, and if you’re thinking of writing a letter to Glasgow Women’s Library as part of our project, then Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo provides inspiring examples.
This week is particularly exciting for us at GWL. Not only is Friday 8th March International Women’s Day, it’s also the launch of our fantastic Dear Women… Illuminated Letters project in partnership with the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow.
Scottish poet, Hugh MacDiarmid – whom many hail as a genius – is on record as saying, ‘Scottish women of any historical interest are curiously rare… our leading Scotswomen have been… almost entirely destitute of exceptional endowments of any sort.’
Ever been stumped as to how to freshen up your fiction reading? Or wanted to explore classic feminist texts, but don’t have a clue where to start? Then Glasgow Women’s Library Browsing Hour could be just the thing for you…
Happy National Libraries Day to you! The secret is out. At GWL LOL does not mean Laugh Out Loud. Though we do laugh a lot. Remember those Suffragette postcards? Well, here’s another to make you laugh too.
This is a TOP SECRET blog-post. You may read it only if you promise not to tell – so cross your heart and hope to die!
Every Thursday between 12 and 2 a lively group of women arrive at GWL. Some come in quietly, some alone, some noisily, some in groups. And all of them bring mysteriously bulging bags.
