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24 February 2009

Books and Sundays

On Sunday, 50 young people, six authors and other assorted interested/ing individuals gathered at the State Library, to hear two additional authors talk about stuff, and eat cake.


The authors on stage were Simmone Howell and Justine Larbalestier. They were awesome. It was all awesome. The cake was awesome.


And it made me really happy, because it kind of felt like coming home. I’ve been working at the Centre for Youth Literature for nearly six years now*, but I’ve been involved for a lot longer.


The first CYL event I went to, a Bookgig at St Martin’s Youth Arts Theatre. It was 1993. I was 12. The author was Isobelle Carmody, the book was The Gathering. I went to a whole lot of Bookgigs as a kid, and loved them all. Talking about books with other young people and Real Live Authors seemed to be pretty much the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and I’m pleased to say that it still is.


Here’s a photo of that first Bookgig. See if you can find Tiny Lili**.


*ZOMG.

**Clue: Jeans too short. White socks. Otherwise, I haven't really changed.

5 comments:

Penni Russon said...

BROWN hair. So very brown.

It. Was. Awesome.

Megan Burke said...

it was brilliant! :D
check my page for the pic of you, me, Kristy and Melina :D:D

lili said...

Shh, Penni!

I'm TOTALLY a natural redhead!

Anonymous said...

Ah bookgigs, those were the days!

Jellyfish said...

Oooh! How did I miss this post?! WHY AM I NOT IN THE DAMN PHOTOGRAPH! I was there, I'm sure I was!

How cute is little [BOY] with his legs swinging from the seat. I loved that kid! Also I saw [SECOND FROM THE RIGHT] in the bakery today. WEIRD.

I don't remember the Carmody book gig specifically and I didn't know it was the first one. On the other hand, I remember almost every word that was said at the Garry Disher and Catherine Jinks ones. Odd.

(word verification - sperit. SPERIT FINGERS!)