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Monthly Archives: February 2017


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Valentine’s Day: receiving books from your beloved

ibgd-poster If books be the food of love, read on: sharing books with the people in your life

Part 3: receiving a book

As the Book Bulletin online catalogue crowdfunding campaign for reading recommendations and gift suggestions comes to an end on International Book Giving Day (also known in some quarters as ‘Valentine’s Day’), Christopher Norris from the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign asked friends, fans and followers of the initiative how they would feel about exchanging books with significant others on 14 February.

How would receiving a book as a gift on Valentine’s Day make you feel?

Hannah Bellamy, CEO, United Way Reading Oasis: Understood

Catherine Clover, author, forthcoming multimedia Aldus Cervus series: Having been given children’s books by my parents on Valentine’s Day when I was young, I know what a blessing it is to have such an intimate and lasting token of their love. To this day, when I read the Valentine inscriptions written lovingly in my now deceased mother’s hand, it makes me feel so connected to her. I feel that there is nothing greater to bring us together with our loved ones than sharing a bound copy of a book!

Andrew Haywardether, Managing Director, Ether Books: When I am the recipient of a book, I find that often my friends are pushing me out of my comfort zone, and that has to be a good thing!

Jessica Norrie, author, The Infinity Pool: Much better than receiving chocolate-cream-filled profiteroles with pink, sugar hearts or any of the other sickly things on sale at this time of year!

Lesley Pollinger, author and Literary Executor and Trustee for the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli: Loved (and probably stunned!).

Nick Quantrill, crime writer and Hull Noir 2017 team, international crime writing festival: Books can be such a personal thing, so receiving a book you’ll really enjoy shows a genuine connection with your loved one. I’d be delighted to receive a book and think it would be a fine tradition to initiate.

Yrsa Sigurðardóttiryrsa-helmet, award-winning author: Again, absolutely marvelous and I hope my husband reads this.

Hildur Sif Thorarensen, author, Einfari: Very good. I love books. I love educational books. I love crime novels. I love all sorts of interesting reading material.

Karen Sullivan, Founder and Publisher, Orenda Books: I always have a book wish list on the fridge, and receiving a book as a gift on Valentine’s Day would be the most perfect gift – enabling me to be transported, indulge in my favourite activity: reading.

Victoria Wicks, actress, granddaughter of H E Bates: I’d be pretty thrilled to get anything on Valentine’s Day!

How would you summarise the idea of giving and receiving books on Valentine’s Day?

Anonymous advertising executive: A book is a really thoughtful gift because it shows that you know the person inside

Gill Paulicon-gill-paul, author, historical fiction: Flowers and chocolates are lovely, but impersonal and impermanent. To choose a book for someone else requires thinking about who they are, what they enjoy, the very heart and soul of them. And while flowers wither and chocolates get eaten (fast), that book will last for life

Christopher Norris is the Founder and Curator of the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign (twitter: @Jolabokaflod). There is still time to make a contribution to the Book Bulletin cause and receive promotion for you and your passions, projects and interests. Please give generously by 14 February 2017.

 

 

 


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Valentine’s Day: giving books to your beloved

hug-book-loveIf books be the food of love, read on: sharing books with the people in your life

Part 2: giving a book

As the Book Bulletin online catalogue crowdfunding campaign for reading recommendations and gift suggestions comes to an end on International Book Giving Day (also known in some quarters as ‘Valentine’s Day’), Christopher Norris from the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign asked friends, fans and followers of the initiative how they would feel about exchanging books with significant others on 14 February.

How would receiving a book as a gift on Valentine’s Day make you feel?

Hannah Bellamy, CEO, United Way Reading Oasis: No book is the same. I give to offer advice, adventure, comfort or amusement. When someone is suffering and I don’t know how to help, I send a book.

Catherine Clovercc-white-hart, author, forthcoming multimedia Aldus Cervus series: For a child in my life I can think of nothing better than to give them a book from a favorite series they are reading, or a book of poetry.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director, Ether Books: I love fitting books to people, finding a subject they like and hopefully getting a new fan for the author. If I find people who have an interest in Germany, both during the war and post war I always give them a copy of a Philip Kerr, Bernie Gunther book. So far, everyone has enjoyed him and bought the rest of the series

Jessica Norrie, author, The Infinity Pool: I would enjoy browsing for something that expressed love elegantly and spiritually and with humour. Or that specifically reflected the relationship I was celebrating.

Lesley Pollinger, author and Literary Executor and Trustee for the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli: Loving, and with thought for the recipient.

Nick Quantrillhull-noir-2017, crime writer and Hull Noir 2017 team, international crime writing festival: As a book lover, I know such a gift would be well-received, so it’d be a genuine pleasure to buy the perfect book.

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, award-winning author: Absolutely marvelous. A book is a gift that requires thought and insight and is reserved for those close to your heart, be it lover, relative or friend. People don’t give books to someone they don’t like.

Hildur Sif Thorarensen, author, Einfari: It would make me happy if I found a good book that is up my boyfriend’s alley.

Karen Sullivan, Founder and Publisher, Orenda Books: I always give books as gifts, and they are powerful conveyors of emotion and affection. On Valentine’s Day, this becomes increasingly poignant.

Victoria Wicks, actress, granddaughter of H E Bates: If I was given a book by a prospective beau, and I found I liked the book, that would give me goosebumps I think. It’s really quite sexy because it indicates a desire to be very close to someone. If you’re reading a book someone’s given you then that person is everywhere you are when you are reading it: on the tube or the bus, by the fire, in bed. It indicates intimacy in a way that lingerie can’t.

Christopher Norris is the Founder and Curator of the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign (twitter: @Jolabokaflod). There is still time to make a contribution to the Book Bulletin cause and receive promotion for you and your passions, projects and interests. Please give generously by 14 February 2017.


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Valentine’s Day: buying books as love tokens

heart-bookloverIf books be the food of love, read on: sharing books with the people in your life

Part 1: buying a book

As the Book Bulletin online catalogue crowdfunding campaign for reading recommendations and gift suggestions comes to an end on International Book Giving Day (also known in some quarters as ‘Valentine’s Day’), Christopher Norris from the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign asked friends, fans and followers of the initiative how they would feel about exchanging books with significant others on 14 February.

Which book would you choose to give to a loved one on 14 February?

Hannah Bellamyreading-oasis-1, CEO, United Way Reading Oasis: I would give A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara because it is unforgettable. It is brutal, relentless and exhausting. But despite all of this there is a message of love, accepting the faults of a loved one and making the most of time together…

Catherine Clover, author, forthcoming multimedia Aldus Cervus series: For February 14 I would give an adult loved one a copy of Jane Eyre, the ultimate love story in my opinion, and one that heavily inspired my novel, The Templar’s Garden.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director, Ether Books: I would give The Great War by Aleksandar Gatalica. It is an absolute classic, was runner-up in the Oxford Weidenfeld Prize and has been read by very few in the UK.

Jessica Norrie, author, The Infinity Pool: I would choose something about an elderly couple who’ve been through a lot together and still love and value each other. I’m writing such a couple into my second novel at present, but since that won’t be ready in time for this year, I’ll go for Ethel and Ernest by Raymond Briggs.

dhl-haystacksLesley Pollinger, author and Literary Executor and Trustee for the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli: The authorative Cambridge University Press edition of Love Among the Haystacks and Other Stories which is a beautiful collection of D H Lawrence’s early short stories, and all manner of ways in which love and loss can be expressed.

Nick Quantrill, crime writer and Hull Noir 2017 team, international crime writing festival: As a crime writer, it would have to be something from my genre. Despite all the murder and mayhem associated with it, at its best, it’s a genre of great heart and hope. I’d share a book by George Pelecanos, as he writes about families and relationships with great compassion and clarity.

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, award-winning author: I would give The Good People, by Hannah Kent. It is incredibly strong, moving and well written.

Karen Sullivan, Founder and Publisher, Orenda Books: I would give a loved one three books, because I am usually over the top. They are Amanda Jennings’ In Her Wake, Su Bristow’s Sealskin and Louise Beech’s The Mountain in My Shoe, because they are ultimately about the power of love and its ability to offer redemption.

Hildur Sif Thorarenseneinfari, author, Einfari: I would either give my partner a romantic story, because it’s Valentine’s Day, or something about marketing since he’s extremely interested in that subject at this time.

Victoria Wicks, actress, granddaughter of H E Bates: If I gave a book to someone on Valentine’s Day I’d probably want to give them a second-hand first edition of a book with a great dust-jacket. If they didn’t agree with me about the content I’d be hoping they loved the look of the book. Otherwise, I have always loved my grandftaher’s book, Love for Lydia, so that would make a perfect gift.

Christopher Norris is the Founder and Curator of the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign (twitter: @Jolabokaflod). There is still time to make a contribution to the Book Bulletin cause and receive promotion for you and your passions, projects and interests. Please give generously by 14 February 2017.


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The Cuckoo Club: new sponsorship partner

logoThe Jolabokaflod Book Campaign is proud and delighted to announce a new partnership with The Cuckoo Club to have the hip and glamorous London club and bar as an official sponsor.

The Cuckoo Club has organised a complimentary afterparty to follow the Jolabokaflod Gala Party, held at the Hotel Café Royal on 2 February 2017.

Situated in the Mayfair-Soho border, The Cuckoo Club is a chic destination with interiors that are contemporary and lush. Think ‘Slash meets Alice in Wonderland’: an interior of mirrors, rich mahogany and plush velvet with a hot-pink dance floor. This ostentatious rock-chic inspired venue is 5000 square foot of Member’s Club heaven.

Recently refurbished in collaboration with Seventies design and style icon, Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA fame, The Cuckoo Club is one of the hottest nightspots for the people who enjoy the high life. Coated in luxury, The Cuckoo Club is a playground of cool and quirky decor where you’ll find two floors of creative eccentricity and the chance to hang out with celebs relaxed on a classy night out. The venue fuses the barworlds of intimate clubbing and refined cocktail supping: it is a den for bespoke nightlife and stylish partying. Pink, burgundy and purple hues decorate the walls; The hazy colours spell out debauchery and decadence everywhere but that’s precisely what was intended!

Ground Floor is decorated in soft, light, gorgeous velvets and has a glamorous theatrical opulence to it. The Basement has recently been redecorated and is now a stunning Secret Garden, with the most exquisite decor and lighting, this refer is unlike any other in London.

The music is always varied just like the varied clientele that flock to its doors; by 11.00 pm the crowds are lining up. From Hip Hop to Trap; Dance to House; and RnB to Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Cuckoo Club has it all. Different nights and two dance floors means diverse music; there’s certainly room for choice.

neon-signThe Cuckoo Club has been the exclusive host for a range of renowned events; extravagant Halloween parties drawing in the likes of Lindsay Lohan to London Fashion Week nights where Kate Moss was spotted dancing away.

What’s more the 2016 NME Awards After Party was also hosted at The Cuckoo Club with an impressive number of artists attending including Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Katy B, Tallia Storm, Vicky McClure and many more. In fact singer and songwriter Charli XCX celebrated her team-up with fragrance brand Impulse exclusively at the club and more recently after parties for the West End revival of Dr Faustus, with Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington (who plays Jon Snow in the series).

dj-set-2Voted the Best Boutique Club at The London Club and Bar Awards in 2009, The Cuckoo Club buzzes with a fashionable crowd, late night giggles, and a routine gathering of celebrities. Read this interview in Paper magazine (14 October 2013) for some background on winning this award: ‘Catching up with past nighttime awards winners: Cuckoo Club‘

The Cuckoo Club lends an atmosphere of glamour and class to any brand or company event hosted there. The venue can be hired to accommodate over 400 guests over both floors and is flexible enough to host a variety of small or large events. The venue is also an exclusive private members’ club where people are invited to join by directors, committee members or existing members.

party-1Frederick Szydlowski, Head of Marketing and Communications at The Cuckoo Club, says: ‘The Cuckoo Club is one of the few hotspots for successful young professionals to mingle on the dance floor in equal measures. We have a smart-casual dress code, so be sure to dress head-to-toe in suitable attire. Leave your sneakers for the gym and get ready for a lavish night.’

Christopher Norris, Founder and Curator at the Jolabokaflod Book Campaign says: ‘Jolabokaflod is thrilled to be partnering with The Cuckoo Club. The sumptuous afterparty at this prestigious, luxury venue will round off the Jolabokaflod Gala Party in style for guests who do not want the evening to end. The generosity of gift from The Cuckoo Club showcases how goods and services in-kind can integrate with crowdfunding projects like our Book Bulletin initiative with at CrowdPatch. We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with The Cuckoo Club at our Gala Party at Hotel Café Royal and with respect to future Jolabokaflod Book Campaign events.’

For more information about The Cuckoo Club, please visit their website. You want also ‘Like’ The Cuckoo Club on Facebook and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.