Travelling Suitcase Library

World Book Night and the Travelling Suitcase Library

2012-02-28T04:42:00.003-08:00

It's been a quiet few months for the Travelling Suitcase Library, which I'm really sorry for. Personal events have meant I've been all over the place the beginning of this year, but we're back on track now and know that you all have thousands of books simply begging to be swapped!

World Book Night is on the 23 April (I know, it's a Monday...) this year and I'm really chuffed to have been chosen as a giver. I've got LOADS of plans for the Night in conjunction with my old friends at Arcadia Bar, but more of that later....first of all a small plug for the events during the day...

In conjunction with For Books' Sake, the website celebrating writing by and for women, and Leeds' loveliest purveyor of fine brownies, Cafe164, the Travelling Suitcase Library will be hosting a good old fashioned Book Swap on the afternoon of 23 April from 2pm onwards. Bring your tomes for a cup of tea, a lovely cake and a chat about why reading rocks.

Then, from 6pm, recruit your cleverest cohorts and come to the first ever Leeds edition of the For Books' Sake Quiz, complete with cake, booze and prizes at Cafe 164. The quiz will be World Book Night themed. You can book your team in advance my emailing sara@cafe164.com

I'll be blogging later will my full (very full) diary of events for the day, but the afternoon book swap promises to be a real treat, and I can't wait! My Suitcase is literally BURSTING with books waiting to be swapped so BRING YOUR TOMES!!!!

Happy reading!
Jess xxx

Book Swap at Cafe 164

2011-12-09T03:29:00.001-08:00

Just a quick reminder that the Travelling Suitcase Library will be having another book swap tomorrow, the 10th December, at Cafe 164 between 11-3ish.

We'll have the usual book swap, so bring your tomes, and pick up your festive read. Plus the gorgeous and talented @Decknologist will have his decks set up to spin some festive "wax" (look at me being all down with the kids!) so tweet him your requests.

Cafe 164 is next door to the Leeds Gallery, opposite the bus station, and sells a wide range of teas, coffees and soft drinks. If you are desperate for a festive tipple, please do bring a bottle!

Cheers, and see you then,
BookElf xxx

Beats 'n' Books

2011-10-14T02:03:00.000-07:00

I'll be collaborating again with the gorgeous Decknologist (whose decks I was next to at the LS6 Beer Fest Day 2) and Cafe 164 to bring you another brilliant book swap, this time with a more festive feel, on Saturday 10 December, from 11-3.
Once again, the lovely people at Cafe 164 will be serving cake and tea (and calorie-brownies, hmmmm, calorie-brownies...) but if you do fancy a beer, its BYOB.
Last book swap ended up with us having a good ol' rant about Game of Thrones (like all meetings with bookies are at the moment! Just got another convert last night...) and myself, and two others, waxing lyrical about Margaret Atwood.
And of course, its a festive season, so Mr DJ shall be 'deck'ing the halls with beats reet jolly (and I thank you...)
So start collecting your tomes now and get your winter book-on!

xxx

Morley Lit Fest Competition

2011-10-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Very exciting.... we've managed to score a couple of free tickets to Morley Lit Fest Mills and Boon event on Saturday night!
This celebration of the romance genre (which you know I just lurve) is at a 1950s themed diner and includes readings, romantic crooning, comedy and bespoke cocktails.
If you would like the two free tickets, all you have to do is email me bookelfleeds (at) gmail (dot) com, with the subject 'I Got The Love!' (or something equally cheesy!)
First email in wins the tickets....GO ROMANCE LOVERS GO!!!!

One Week To Go...

2011-09-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder post that next Saturday 1st October we are hosting an Autumnal Books Swap at Cafe 164 from 11-3 ish.
The Cafe shall be selling lovely cakes and teas and that, but please feel to BYOB if you fancy a beer.

I've got loads of lovely books at the moment, but I am able to take donations that shall be taken to book swaps or distributed across the various book swap points growing around the city so please bring your tomes.

Jess xxx

Guardian Book Swap

2011-09-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed, The Guardian online are running a book swap weekend. Of course, this is highly exciting and I hope shall be very successful.

Anyone wanting to actually meet other book worms, we are having our usual monthly book swap this Sunday in Arcadia Bar in Headingley from about 5ish. The book club shall be meeting (see the LeedsBookClub blog for details on that) but anyone wanting to just swap books, please come on down!

The TSL is bursting at the moment, and having just moved house I am now able to take donations yet again, so anyone clearing out their shelves, you know how much we love you... and any books that I don't think would be that great in the suitcase I'll either donate to charity, or send the children's ones to the inner city Birmingham primary school we mentioned in earlier posts!

See you Sunday!

Jess xx

Autumnal Book Swap

2011-09-06T03:47:00.000-07:00

After a relatively quiet summer, I'm realy pleased to announce a special book swap shall be taking place in new Leeds venue Cafe 164 on 1 October between 11-3

Cafe 164 is a new arts cafe, selling all kinds of sweet treats and teas. The Book Swap shall be very informal, with loads of opportunities to meet people who are into what you're into, and rent merrily about tomes you love, live, or loathe.

The Travelling Suitcase Library shall of course be rocking up with as widest selection of books as can be fit into a suitcase, but please bring your tomes.

Cakes and hot drinks shall be available from Cafe, but anyone wanting a beer that early in the day is welcome to BYOB.

Looking forward to seeing lots of book lovers there!

I Love West Leeds Festival

2011-06-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

The Travelling Suitcase Library is going to be running a very informal, family book swap during the Big Free Festival Day, part of I Love West Leeds Festival.

The festival takes place in Bramley Falls Park, 1-5 pm on the 3 July. I'm going to be about all afternoon, with a suitcase brimming with books for all the family (might even squeeze in a couple of story tellings if I can find my story telling hat!) but once again I need your help!

In the past the Suitcase has catered more for adult-only events, so my collection of books for children and young adults is to be honest poor.

If anyone has any children's books left after the call out last month for the Book That Appeal for the Birmingham school (which I'm pleased to say had a fantastic response and the children love their books!) please let me know.

I know this is the time of year when many people move house, if you are having a clear out I'm more than happy to collect from you. Or you can leave the books in Arcadia at any time.

For more info on the festival go to http://www.ilovewestleeds.co.uk/

Book That!

2011-06-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

So today I threw all my toys out of my pram a bit over this article http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/01/three-in-10-uk-children-own-no-books?CMP=twt_gu from a report from The National Literacy Trust that 3/10 children do not have their own books.

Now I know that there are millions of children that go without a bed every night and I am in no way saying this is more important. But this is something that quite frankly makes me rage.

Because without fail every single time I set up the Travelling Suitcase Library, someone always says "oh I have sooooo many books I mean to donate".

Really? Well three in ten children DON'T and I'm sorry but that is bollocks.

So in the midst of my Massive Row on twitter about this whole thing, in which I behaved like a petulant child which I'm very sorry for, I was contacted by a primary school teacher working in inner city Birmingham whose children love books, but do not have that much access to them.

I know there are various arguments that unless adults are reading, children won't. That's why I always carry a book everywhere I go, read in public at every opportunity and try and get as many people as possible to do the same, only by normalising reading does it become acceptable, only by saying "actually, this is what we do" do you stop the idea that by reading you are somehow missing out on "having a life".

And how is a child supposed to know if they're a reader or not if they don't have the opportunity to explore reading?

SO I've got this primary school's address and will be sending them the books that are age appropriate from the TSL and my shelves.

I think I've got about 30, which is pathetic and less that a class full. I can't afford to this month but next month I shall be hitting the charity shops in an attempt to get that number up. Do YOU have children's books just lying around waiting to be donated?

If you want to send some, email me bookelfleeds (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll email you the address.

Thanks, and Happy Reading!

Jess xx

The Travelling Suitcase Library Manifesto

2011-05-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Over the last six months I have had a lot of requests from people wanting to know the best way to start their own book swaps or if they too can have a Travelling Suitcase Library. To that I say- Go For It! I didn't start this for profit or personal gain, and anything that gets more people reading, and talking about what they're reading in a open and social way is a Good Thing.

However, I am very concerned that people might think that they can say they run a Travelling Suitcase Library, and make money from the scheme, or benefit in some other way that does not fit in with the ethos of the original project.

With this in mind, I have come up with the following 'manifesto' (I'm thinking more avant-guarde than political party here) which I would ask that anyone wishing to start a Travelling Suitcase Library reads, and signs, before attaching the name to their project.

Any questions, or anything you think I've got hideously wrong, as usual, just let me know.

Jess

Manifesto
1.The Travelling Suitcase Library must provide as wide a range of books that can fit into a suitcase. There must be no discrimination shown between genre, literary style or format. For ease, the word ‘book’ used in this manifesto refers to any printed text made available through the Travelling Suitcase Library.

2.The Travelling Suitcase Library must not actively promote any racist, sexist, transphobic or cissexist, homophobic, ablest, classist or fatist attitudes in the material it provides, however freedom of speech should never be compromised. Any books that display such attitudes that end up in the suitcase must be swapped with discretion and trigger warnings given if this is appropriate.

3.The Travelling Suitcase Library must be free. There must never be any membership, signing fee, fines, or any other financial reward for providing the service.

4.The Travelling Suitcase Library must go to as wide a range of events and locations as possible. The Travelling Suitcase Library may accept complimentary entrance to an event, but must in return promote that event in some way. The Travelling Suitcase Library must make it clear in promotional material that the event charges an entrance fee.

5.The Travelling Suitcase Library must use second hand books. All books must come from donations, second hand shops, charity shops, library sales, or other events.

6.Any books donated to the Travelling Suitcase Library from publishing houses should be included, but in no way promoted. No one book should be promoted above another, as the focus should be on finding the right book for the individual.

7.The Travelling Suitcase Library must promote reading for pleasure at all times.

8.The Travelling Suitcase Library must never impeach upon any public or educational library. Any one looking for a particular book must be encouraged to go to their public library first. The Travelling Suitcase Library must fight against any public library closures.

9.The Travelling Suitcase Library must be an environmentally friendly as possible. If a bus is available, a bus must be used over a car, for example.

10.The Travelling Suitcase Library does not necessarily have to be in a suitcase, though it probably makes more sense if it is!

LS6 Beer Fest

2011-05-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm very very happy to announce that the lovely and gorgeous people at LS6 Beer Festival, running Friday 3 - Saturday 4 June in Left Bank Leeds (the big Church thing on Cardigan Road) have allowed me to run a book swap!

The Travelling Suitcase Library with of course be there, bigger than ever with the recent influx of donations (thanks as ever to @thoughtlessjoe, @saratheresaphoto, @gazpachodragon and everyone else who brought books to Book Club this Sunday). Seeing as I will be far to busy pulling pints and dancing like a loon to be on the book table all the time, it will be an incredibly informal book swap, but as ever do ask for any recomendations and BRING YOUR TOMES!!!

More info about the fest, including where to buy tickets, can be found here...

http://ls6beerfest.com/

Travelling Suitcase Library On Tour Summer '11

2011-05-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Lots of exciting things planned for May/June/July

I will be dragging the suitcase around with me. As per usual, anyone wanting me to bring the suitcase to their event, please get in touch. Ta xx

15 May Arcadia Bar Book Swap in conjunction with the Leeds Book Club, from about 5 ish.

20 May Chorlton Arts Festival Books and Blues evening in conjunction with For Books Sake, free entry see http://chorltonartsfestival.com/ for details.

7 June Bettakultcha. Leeds University Union Stylus, 7.30. For tickets, which are £5 please go to http://bettakultcha9leeds.eventbrite.com/

15 July The Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Nexus Art's Cafe Manchester, tickets are £5. See http://forbookssake.net/2011/04/08/for-books-sake-presents-the-mad-hatters-tea-party/ for details.

Thank you!

The Big Fat Heathen Book Swap

2011-04-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

Arcadia Ale and Wine Bar
Arndale Centre
Headingley

From About 5 ish

At this time of year we like to sit back, relax, and think deeply about the big questions. Life, the Universe and Everything might be an amusing book by Douglas Adams, but these questions such as who are we and what our point is have been puzzling philosophers, and theologians for Many Moons.

At the Travelling Suitcase Library, we see ourselves as encouraging debate, and being a Massive Heathen myself this month's book swap, advantageously falling on the Heathen festival of Eostre we would like to invite you all, Heathen and non-Heathen alike, to join in the celebration of the written word and Great Thoughts.

The Suitcase, as ever, shall be filled with Various Tomes designed to challenge and expand your world view and we would encourage others to come with expansion in mind. Anyone wanting to sit around a Talk About Things is more than welcome.

Arcadia we be serving excellent ales and lovely pies throughout, as ever.

Your Suitcase Needs You!

2011-03-14T03:28:00.001-07:00

Help!

World Book Night has completely cleared me out of books!

World Book Night was fantastic event (read mine and N's write-ups of it on the LeedsBookClub blog) and really successful, in that we shared a lot of books with a lot of people, but the Suitcase is looking pretty diminished as a result!

A lot of people often say that they have loads of books just lying around, and that they wish they'd known about The TSL to donate!

Well NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!!!!!

I will take any books that you think people should read. Any genre, any period, fiction, non fiction, graphic novels, whatever.

I will also COME TO YOU. If you are somewhere I can get to on a bus, I shall bring the sad, empty suitcase and fill it. You can be safe knowing that your books are going to people who will read for pleasure, or even those who've never read for pleasure before. Who knows, your books could change someones life.

Obviously I'd much rather you donate your books to charity shops, and if I weren't so skint I'd just go round Headingley and fill up the suitcase from purchases, but I am, and have two book swaps booked this month, so I have to go hunting for donations. I promise that once I have a bit more money I will make a donation to charity so that no one misses out by your donating the books to the TSL.

If you have any books at all you can donate, please leave a comment or get in touch on twitter @bookelfleeds or email me bookelfleeds at gmail dot com. Thank you so so so so much!!!

xxx

World Book Night

2011-02-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

Hooray! The Travelling Suitcase Library is giving away books!!!
(so any other day then yes?)

No!

World Book Night (http://www.worldbooknight.org/titles/) is a national incentive to get people reading for pleasure. We're giving away 40-odd (after donating a couple to work) copies of Stuart: A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters.

World Book Night is on the Saturday 5 March.

I'll be at Left Bank Leeds on Cardigan Lane (lovely old church now used for the community) doing a book swap from 6-8, then hot footing it to My Spiritual Home, Arcadia, to give out books from 8.30 pm. I'll be doing a book-swap as well so Bring Your Tomes!!!!

xxxx

Thank you Leeds Guide!

2011-02-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

Anyone who hasn't seen it here's my interview with The Leeds Guide, fabulous people that they are
http://www.leedsguide.co.uk/review/interview/jess-haigh/17801

Just wanna say one thing.

You may have noticed that this blog, compared to www.leedsbookclub.blogspot.com, is a bit, shall we say, plain.

This is because I am not a blogger. I don't know anything about how the internet actually works, or how to write coded script and make it look pretty or any of that jazz. I work in libraries and I am only concerned with promoting reading for pleasure. Yes I bash out some writing occasionally because I love doing it, but it isn't who I am.

I do not run www.leedsbookclub.blogspot.com, or the @LeedsBookClub twitter feed, as it might come accross in the article. That blog is entirely down to the incredibly hard work of Avid Reader as she's known on the blog, and I really don't want anyone confusing us.

If you want to read my writing, find the pieces tagged with "BookElf", that I didn't even tag myself because I have no idea what I'm doing!

Thank you. More info on the next Book Swap coming soon. I can confirm I'll be taking the Travelling Suitcase Library to #Bettakultcha on the 1st of March though (and I promise not to have a hideous migraine this time! Sorry anyone who brought books!) so hopefully see you there!

Happy Reading!
Jess xxx

The Travelling Suitcase Library @ Arcadia once again....

2011-01-20T02:52:00.000-08:00

The Travelling Suitcase Library Presents...
Presents…
A Book Swap to end all Book Swaps…
Arcadia, Headingley,
Sunday 30th January
From about 5ish
Bring Your Tomes!
As seen at Bettakutlcha, Culture Vulture, Morley Lit Fest LadyFestTen and many many more…
WE ARE ALSO VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST ARCADIA BOOK CLUB WILL BE MEETING AT THE SAME TIME…..
…tweet @LeedsBookClub, email leedsbookclub@gmail.com, web www.leedsbookclub.blogspot.com for details
…or just turn up! Very informal, friendly, open book club
WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE FOLLOWING EXCELLENT TOME …. The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey

I'm sorry but this has to be said...

2010-12-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

I know this isn't a political blog, but this is the only public forum I've got.

TAX AVOIDENCE SHOULD BE A CRIME
There is gonna be a few protests tomorrow. I hate violence, we should educatate not isolate. Here are some more carols with tax-avoidence lyrics.

In The Bleak Midwinter
In the bleak midwinter, tax payers moaned,
Philip Green won't pay for, all that we are owed
He could pay for nurses, he could pay for schools,
But instead he'll pay nowt, and still keep the rules

Our Government is not fair, out government sucks.
For we're loosing our jobs, whilst they keep ther bucks
In the bleak midwinter, tax payers moaned,
Why won't all these millionaires, pay what we are owed?

Philip The Tax Avoider
Philip the Tax Avoider,
Had a very shiney nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it grows, (like his tax bill)

All of the tax avoiders,
Really should all pay their tax,
So next time that your in Topshop,
Ask them for your money back.

The Travelling Suitcase Libraries’ Christmas Recommendations, ( because sometimes, you have to buy the books…)

2010-11-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

Do you despair at the readers in your life preferring trash to treasure? At the Travelling Suitcase Library we believe there’s nothing wrong with that! This Christmas, why not treat them to something you know they’ll enjoy. These are some of the most popular titles that I’ve lent out in the past year. I hope that your readers enjoy them.

For the Twilight fan in your life…House of Night series by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
I know vampires are sooo 2009, but this ever-growing series set in a ‘school for vampyres’ (so the best bits of Harry and Edward combined) flies of the shelves, is easy to get into and also features openly gay characters, a rarity in YA fiction. ‘Marked’ is the first one, but at £10.50 for the first three on Amazon this is an easy stocking filler for love-struck teens.

Sleep Pale Sister by Joanne Harris
Before Chocolat, Johnny Depp and world wide fame, Yorkshire writer Joanne Harris wrote hauntingly beautiful gothic thrillers. Sleep Pale Sister is the story of Effie, Victorian artist’s model who is kept as a laudanum-addled bride by the sinister Henry Chester. When she meets her lover Mose, she is drawn into the ghostly story of Marta, a brothel keeper’s daughter, murdered ten years ago and planning her revenge. Yes the subject matter is slightly risky for younger readers, but this is guaranteed to thrill fans of the gothic, and acts as a nice little introduction to ‘grown up’ books.

The Glass Lake by Meave Binchey.
I know, I know, but work with me here. This book has everything a Twilight fan requires, apart from the fangs. Teenage drama and am embarrassing family? Check. Strange mystery surrounding loved one? Check. Evolution of heroine from spoilt small town princess to grown modern women? Check. Everlasting love? Check. The least ‘provincial’ of Binchey’s books, this is the story of Kit, who’s beautiful, if odd mother tragically disappears in the lake near her small Irish town. As Kit grows up the mystery surrounding the supposed death deepens until she receives a letter from her mother’s childhood friend… I love this book, which I first read when I was twelve, and would recommend it as a great way to wean your teen off the vamps. Plus it’s a good three inches thick, which as any serious teen bookworm knows, are the only books worth checking out these days!

For the Jodi Picault fan in your life…The Lost Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
Less weepy, more pacy than Picault, Chamberlain again is from the ‘tell don’t show’ school of writing hated by Creative Writing students but loved by readers who want chunky heated storylines without the commitment of literary prose. This is the story of foolish love struck teen CeeCee, who has vital information on the murder of Genevieve Russell which tears apart her whole family. Gripping and movingly written, recommended.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
A ‘fictional story’ based heavily on the life of Laura Bush, this book is as fascinating as it is frustrating. Almost a justification for her action, Alice Blackwell looks back on her life leading up the last year of her husband’s presidency. You’ll love, then hate her. Sittenfeld is a wonderful writer and the depiction of America throughout the 60s to the present day is nostalgic and insightful, as well as impeccably researched.

The Girls by Lori Lansens
Absolutely riveting story of two conjoined twins living in small town Canada. This will appeal to Picault fans for its empathetic rendorings of the twin sister’s thought, and dreams. Although the writing is not consistant throughout, with the opening chapters being by far the best in the book, the amazing characterisations of Rose and Ruby and the pathos behind their condition makes this a weepy, but a goody.

For the Phillippa Gragory fan in your life
The King’s Daughter by Christie Dickason
Similar in premise to Gregory’s Tudor court novels, this takes a woman from history and re-works her story with a slightly more modern emphasis. The King’s Daughter is the tale of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James IV of Scotland, I of England and is absolutely fascinating. I have no idea how historically accurate this book is, but if they’re an ardent Gregory fan then historical accuracy really isn’t going to be the be all and end all is it. At the end of the day it’s a damn good yarn and has a sparkly cover with a ruff on it, what more do you need?

Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman
This is one of those writers that was massive back in the day, and deserves to become popular again. Writing of the Plantagenet era, Hawley Jarman’s pen pours beautiful flowery prose that just weeps along with you. This is my favourite of hers’, Katherine of Valios, raised in the mad corrupt dangerous world of the French court in the early 1400s marries the conquering English King Henry V (him off Agincourt). After the King’s death she falls for a certain Welsh archer, Owen Tudor, founding a rather more famous (if the world of publishing will have anything to do with it anyways) dynasty. Wonderful stuff.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Because it is so good I can hardly speak. And if they’re as big a Tudor buff as they like to make out, then there will be no need to have a pen and paper to hand to keep track of the thousand and one characters called ‘Thomas’.

Lady Fest Ahoy!

2010-11-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Due to the final part of the incredibly exciting Travelling Suitcase Library On Tour taking me to LadyFest Ten in London Town from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November, there will be no book swap at Arcadia on that Sunday...

... or at least one that I will be attending.

However, if you love books and want to swap with other people who also love books, why not just turn up and find each other? It's a lovely pub, does decent food and cracking beer and you should all just do a swap anyway without me...

anyone who is coming to LadyFest (and I strongly recommend you do as it looks flipping awesome) then check out the www.forbookssake.net website for more details of where I'm going to be, and the other great literary events taking place.

The tour has been a great, if very tiring experience. Big up the #bettakultcha and Morley Lit Fest and Theatre in the Mill crus for putting up with me, hopefully more tour dates to come in the future!

Happy Reading!
Jess x

Extra Tour Date

2010-09-30T02:53:00.000-07:00

The Travelling Suitcase Library will also be appearing at Bettakultcha V at Left Bank, Cardigan Road, Leeds on Tuesday 2 November. Tickets to the event cost £5, and if you've never been before I recommend it, its always a good laugh and a great way of meeting interesting people.

You can buy tickets here http://bettakultcha5.eventbrite.com/

Travelling Suitcase Library ON TOUR!!!!

2010-09-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

Yup, I'm taking the Suitcase on tour throughout November.
I'll be appearing at LadyFest Ten in London Town from the 12th-14th November. I'm going to be setting up shop in a nice little pub corner in the Horatia during the day, but will provide more details nearer the time as to specifics as I would also like to see some of the amazing literary events happening throughout the festival...

More details can be found here http://forbookssake.net/ladyfest/, or just give us a tweet @BookElfLeeds and I'll let you know!

So very excited, may have to get t-shirts...

Travelling Suitcase Library On Tour!

2010-09-24T00:58:00.000-07:00

We are very very excited this month as not only will the Travelling Suitcase Library be in Arcadia, our usual lovely home, on the 10th October from about 5 ish for all your booky needs, but we are going On Tour!

Morley Lit Fest has very kindly invited us to facilitate (is that the word? I don't work in the third sector so never sure...) a book swap event on Sunday 17th October in the Cucina Cafe Bar in Morley from about 3 ish.

I'm really looking forward to the festival, as its going to be aceness itself, especially looking forward to Barbara Taylor Bradford, who has always been a bit of a legend.

Hope to see lots of you there supporting Leeds Lit Fests!

Happy Reading!

Dates for September

2010-09-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Travelling Suitcase Library

Presents
The Amazing Portable Book Swap
Arcadia Bar, Headingley
Sunday 12th September From around 4 ish

Bring your tomes! Discover new classics! Make new friends! Have long winded arguments about Hunter S Thompson!

As seen in The Leeds Guide, Headingley Life and Bettakultcha III,
A Brand New, Totally Original, Environmentally Friendly and generally all round save-the-worldly library service operated out of a NOW BIGGER SUITCASE!

EMAIL: bookelfleeds@gmail.com or TWEET @BookElfLeeds for details

The Next TSL and Amazing Portable Book Swap...

2010-08-04T03:38:00.000-07:00

Will be in Arcadia Ale and Wine Bar

Oh Sunday 15th August

From 5-8 ish

Bring Your Tomes! (and take some away!)

Fannie Flagg, Tearmaker Extrodinaire

2010-07-02T07:29:00.001-07:00

Feeling severally hormonal, having previously wept at the picture of the mummy oranutang kissing the baby oranutang better, yesterday was not good day to finish reading Fannie Flagg's latest book, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven on the train home.

I was inspired to read the book after watching the adaptation of Flagg's 1987 novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe with N last week. This is a beautiful film, of an even more beautiful book. Flagg's style is good ol' fashioned Americana (think Steel Magnolias meets, well Steel Magnolias I guess!), conversational, slightly saga-esque. If she were British, she's be writing about apple orchards and village greens (very much like the excellent and very readable Apple Tree Lean Down by Mary E Pearce), if she were Irish, she'd be a slightly more flippant Meave Binchey.

I have read four of her books, my favourite being Standing in the Rainbow, a sprawling tale of 50s Missouri, which carries on with the same characters from her earlier book, Welcome to the World Baby Girl (excellent story about the treatment of people of colour in America over the past 50 years, masquerading as a hard-working-girl-discovers-the-best-things-in-life-are-free-er). Set in Elmwood Spring, Missouri, a town which is just about as nostalgically twee as you can get, the book revolves around the family and friends of possibly one of my favourite characters, Neighbour Dorothy, who runs her own radio show from her sitting room. Flagg celebrates the richness of life (horrid cliche) and celebrates how hard-work, and an appreciation for the good times, makes for strong communities and friendships. Although the plot meanders along at no particular rate, a characteristic found in Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, you'd be surprised how affecting the style is, how much you fall in love with the characters (even the annoying ones) and how much you blub yourself silly at the end. Just like Steel Magnolias, in fact! (God that a good film I've not seen in a long time, N? Whatdaya say?)

Fried Green Tomatoes is probably her 'best' of the books I've read. I especially love her character Evelyn dealing with the menopause 'I'm too old to by young and I'm to young to be old'. Trouble is, I feel that way most of the time and I'm 25. And defiantly not menopausal. I may cry at samsung ads (when the dad is filming his daughter on the beach and gets that look in his eye which you just know means he doesn't see her as much as he wants...oh God I'm actually welling up as we speak), but its not for want of lady-mones. The film is just plain brilliant, and stars my namesake Jessica Tandy, so next time your having a girly sleepover, rent it. But make sure you have plenty of tissues.

New Dates for your Diary

2010-07-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone

The next Travelling Suitcase Library and Amazing Portable Book Swap will be in Arcadia on the 11th July from 3 till about 7 ish.

Oxfam are having a book fest at Nation of Shapkeepers the same day- so please please go to both. If you have to pick one, pick them!

I'm also presenting the TSL at Bettakultcha III on the Tuesday, I think tickets for the event are still available, will let you know

Hope to see you soon (unless you can only dedicate yourself to one thing on the Sunday, then I won't, because you'll be supporting Oxfam, won't you?)

Happy reading
Jess
xx

Book Day!

2010-05-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Suitcase Library will be at Arcadia Bar on

Sunday 13th June

to host a lovely afternoon of messing about in books! Bring your tomes for swapping, sharing, and general book related chit chat.

Anyone wanting to bring donations for the library more than welcome, any I can't fit in the suitcase I shall happily take to a charity shop on your behalf!

Hopefully see lots of you there!

Happy Reading!

I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke...

2010-03-29T03:18:00.000-07:00

So... a poem off is it? Eh Niamh? Bring it on...

this is one of the best loves poems I've ever read. I saw it perfomed by JCC who is this insane punk with skinny legs at Halifax GCSE poetry slam many many moons ago, it should be screamed at the audience very fast.

I wanna be your vacuum cleaner
Breathing in your dust,
I wanna be your Ford Cortina
I will never rust,
If you like your coffee hot
Let me be your coffee pot,
You call the shots,
I wanna be yours.

I wanna be your raincoat
For those frequent rainy days,
I wanna be your dreamboat
When you want to sail away,
Let me be your teddy bear
Take me with you anywhere,
I don't care,
I wanna be yours.

I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out,
I wanna be the electric heater
You'll get cold without,
I wanna be your setting lotion
Hold your hair in deep devotion,
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
That's how deep is my devotion.

Deep deep deep de deep deep de deep deep
I don't wanna be her's
I wanna be yours!

Dates for your Diary

2010-03-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

A HUGE Thank you to the lovely people at Headingley Lit Fest for inviting me to the very entertaining evening of poetry last Friday. A few people were interested in the library, but I clearly need more promotional material! Really enjoyed all the poets, especially Helen Burke, and the sausage rolls!

I'm going to be in Arcadia Bar on Sunday 11 April from about 3 ish, and will hopefully have some more dates in my diary before then...

Lookign forward this week to seeing David Peace talk at The New Headingley Club, St Michael's Road Headingley this Saturday and reading The Damned Utd in prepartion.

Happy Reading!

Headingley Lit Fest

2010-03-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be setting up shop at Headinglye Lit Fest this evening, from about 7 ish at the New Headingley Club, St Michael's Road, Headingley. Hope to see lots of lovely book lovers there!

This week I have been reading 'The Oaken Throne' by Robin Jarvis, blast from the past!

Happy Reading

Jess
xx

World Book Day

2010-03-05T02:11:00.001-08:00

Had a really good night in Arcadia on Thursday- honestly nothing to do with the 2 pints of Black and Tam (which were very nice...)

Met loads of lovely people who all love books and were very excited about borrowing books in a pub! Also have been invited to set up my stall at Headingley Lit Fest which will be great- really looking forward to that.

Reading wise- I'm just nearly finished Andrew Pepper's Pkye myseteries, which are set in 1830s London- v.g.

Will be back in Arcadia on the 14th March, see you all then!
Happy Reading
xx

World Book Day

2010-02-26T03:43:00.000-08:00

I'm really looking forward to World Book Day, which is on Thursday 4th March. Not only do I get to read the new Quick Reads (seeing as not aloud to put them on the selves until then!) but I also get to spend the evening in my favourite pub talking about loads of lovely books with really great people!

Yes, the Travelling Suitcase Library will be in Arcadia (of course!) from about 7ish, I'm filling up my suitcase with loads of brand spanking new titles from tomorrow pay-weekend charity shop binge... watch out Headingley here I come!

Also...tiny plug, there is going to be a kilo-vintage sale in the Methodist Church hall opposite the Arndale Centre tomorrow, and last time I went I left feel very glam, but also very broke! Great stuff to be found shoppers!

See you all on Thursday!

Happy Reading,
Jess xx

Arcadia on Valentine's Day

2010-02-15T06:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who had a look at the display, and to those who borrowed books hello! I hope you enjoy!

Arcadia is one of my favourite places in Leeds, I will be there on the 2nd Sunday of every month from about 3 o'clock ish, but will let you all know if there is a date I'm not going to be able to make.

Popular titles seem to be history/ social history based, so I will be adding more to the stock in future! Remember any donations to the cause are more than welcome, especially if it's something you think people should be reading.

A lot of people were amazed I was doing this for free. Let me say it again; this service is completely free, and always will be. I do not make any money from this, I am not applying for any government grants or local community funding because I don't need it, I would be buying the books anyway, you might as well share them with me! I don't need to be paid by your taxes to sit in a pub drinking tea on a Sunday afternoon! I am not sponsored by any particular book seller or publisher as I buy my books from charity shops (and, I have to admit, the occasional market stall, but I'm sure you can forgive me that). Any other books will have been given to me as presents or donated to me by friends or members of the directly for charity; this is not because I do not support charities themselves I just think its wrong for me to dictate your generosity, you may disagree fundamentally with a charity of my choosing and I would not want that. I try to buy from as wide a mix of charity shops as possible; so far the books in the suitcase are from Oxfam, the RSPCA, the British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder Homes and St Catherine's Hospice (who I will always always support as they are angels), the PDSA, Martin's House, Mind, Scope and a whole host of local charities such as the Leeds Varieties shop in the town centre.

If you have any moral objections to any of the charities, please let me know. I will try not to let you borrow a book that has been bought from one of them, but I can't be absolutely sure, so please don't be cross with me! If there is anything major concerning one of my suppliers that I should know about, please email me, I desperately don't want to make anyone else's life harder by doing this and I don't want to find out I'm giving money to a cause that would not use it wisely.

If you work in a nice pub or cafe or anything at all where you think my services would be welcome, please email me and let me know- I am free most weekends (apart from the first and second Sundays of the month) and can do evenings after 7 o'clock ish, though cannot I'm afraid do late nights on a school night. All I ask is a chair, a table and the occasional cup of tea!

Happy Reading

Jess xx