First Meeting

Not having met before, we didn't have a specific book to discuss at our first session. We were very pleased though to have Catherine Johnson come along - a famous author who also happens to live in Hackney.

There was an interesting discussion about what works and what doesn't in books for young people - there was agreement that there was no simple formula, but most people felt the best books were able to cover big issues and difficult subjects in ways that were accessible and entertaining. They might (or might not) be serious, but they should never be boring!

Catherine also gave us an insight into what her life is like as a writer, how she managed to get published and give up making music videos for self-indulgent pop stars - books as the new rock & roll, perhaps?