Gliterary Lunches first launched in 2006. Sisters, Sibh and Beth wanted to bring together their favourite things and share them with like-minded people.
Always keen readers, both ladies joined book clubs when their children were small. They quickly realised that not only were these gatherings great fun, they opened the door to new friendships and introduced them to new writers.
It was noticeable too, that nearly all the members were women and that this seemed to be the pattern elsewhere. When a friend made a throw away comment about how hard it was to entertain female clients, an idea started to form.
Sibh had worked for London publishers and developed a career in marketing. Beth was a PR specialist with extensive experience in managing events. Together they mobilised their contacts and harnessed the enthusiastic support of friends to create the first Gliterary Lunch in Edinburgh at the Jam House featuring Orange Prize listed Jill Dawson and Whitebread Prize judge Mary Loudon. 120 people attended.
Several years on Gliterary Lunches has hosted over 80 sell out events in several cities across the UK, featuring some of our best contemporary writers.
Great books, lovely food, interesting venues, interesting people – and of course, a glass or two of fizz remain the vital ingredients of a Gliterary Lunch.
Yorkshire Businesswoman editor Gill Laidler joined the last lunch, currently taking place online due to the pandemic and was so impressed with the event and quality of speakers, will be joining future lunches.
Thursday 25th February - 1pm - 2.30pm.
Book: The Paris Library
Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
Janet Skeslien Charles is an award-winning author with over a decade’s worth of roaming the streets of Paris and researching in its libraries. Her debut novel, Moonlight in Odessa, was published in ten languages and was awarded the Melissa Nathan prize and the Completement Livre prize in Strasbourg.
Originally from Montana, as a child she lived on the same street as a French war bride and was fascinated by the war stories of her French professor. Janet began to research The Paris Library when she worked as programs manager at the American Library in Paris. Until recently she taught in Paris, where she still lives.
The Book
Inspired by the true story of librarians who risked their lives during World War 2, this novel shows that heroism can be found in the quietest of places.
PARIS, 1939: Odile Souchet is obsessed with books, and her new job at the American Library in Paris − with its thriving community of students, writers and book lovers − is a dream come true. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books.
MONTANA, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager desperate to escape small-town Montana. She grows close to her elderly neighbour Odile, discovering they share the same love of language. But as Lily uncovers more about her neighbour’s mysterious past, she discovers a dark secret, kept closely guarded and long hidden.
To reserve you place, with the option of purchasing a signed book, visit:
https://gliterarylunches.com/store/?model_number=VL21-2502
