I heard you on Woman's Hour and then recalled that I had seen a poster at Waterstones in Liverpool advertising you launching We All Live Here. I booked two places for myself and my girlfriend. It wasn't really a Valentine's Day thing as I am not into that - nor is my girlfriend - but it seemed appropriate to make a day of it and we did: a meal at Mowgli; an earlier visit to Waterstones; a couple of pints in some local hostelries before and after.
After collecting our books we sat down and I made inroads into Chapter One and I had finished it, Chapter One not the book I hasten to add, by the time the interview with Jane Costello started. I really enjoyed the interview and my initial thoughts after the Q & A, only ladies asked questions, were that you are probably not a writer enjoyed by men - how wrong was I!!
I had contemplated asking a question and I had rehearsed, not in a Gene way, my question. Sadly it was going to have a lame opening: I am a bit disappointed as I was expecting David Moyes [newly appointed for his second stint as Everton manager] rather than a lady writer [very lame I know]. Joking aside I have really enjoyed the interview and I have two questions - which writers have inspired you and what is written on your T-shirt?
Gladly I found out who inspired you and sadly not what was written on your t-shirt!
More gladly though I am over half way through We All Live Here and I am really, really enjoying it. It has had me laughing out loud and on a couple of occasions on the verge of tears. I am certain that I will finish it within the week and it is all I want to read.
During your interview you talked about how we are bombarded with news 24/7 from all over the world not only news but misinformation, disinformation and vitriol and that crucially what we need is a bit of a giggle, a bit of a cry and some feelgood. We All Live Here is providing those in bucket loads - I know that I will read more of your books. Thank you very, very much. Take care.
I tried nail varnish once and had to remove it about half an hour later because my nails got claustrophobia and felt like they couldn’t breathe. It can be quite handy for painting over small scratches on cars though, given it’s made of the same ingredients as car paint.
First - safe travels for the rest of your tour. I only finished the book yesterday, but asked you a few posts ago whether you might revisit any of the characters. And you kindly shared how much you loved writing Gene. Well, all I can say is I'm with you! My grandfathers both died just before and just after I was born so I never had the joy of knowing them. But I adored both Gene and Bill, such a wonderful combination of extremes and so weirdly relatable even as a 50 something woman! Thank you as always Jojo for 2 days of absolutely blissful holiday reading. I won't mention the turquoise sea of the Bahamas that has beautifully complemented that reading. 😎
Oh I love looking at my nails - especially when I feel life is a bit out of control - at least I’ve had my nails done 💅🏼 good luck with the rest of the tour & thanks for bringing smiles with your writing
As for lightening the mood - the current US regime make it so easy to make jokes about them and some of those jokes are keeping me sane in it all and reminding me the majority of people are good and can see through these idiots. Troubles is - the idiots are dangerous. But hey, if you can’t make humour out of politics then why bother opposing them at all 🤷🏼♀️
Middle age women definitely need more role models and fiction written for them/us :)
I heard you on Woman's Hour and then recalled that I had seen a poster at Waterstones in Liverpool advertising you launching We All Live Here. I booked two places for myself and my girlfriend. It wasn't really a Valentine's Day thing as I am not into that - nor is my girlfriend - but it seemed appropriate to make a day of it and we did: a meal at Mowgli; an earlier visit to Waterstones; a couple of pints in some local hostelries before and after.
After collecting our books we sat down and I made inroads into Chapter One and I had finished it, Chapter One not the book I hasten to add, by the time the interview with Jane Costello started. I really enjoyed the interview and my initial thoughts after the Q & A, only ladies asked questions, were that you are probably not a writer enjoyed by men - how wrong was I!!
I had contemplated asking a question and I had rehearsed, not in a Gene way, my question. Sadly it was going to have a lame opening: I am a bit disappointed as I was expecting David Moyes [newly appointed for his second stint as Everton manager] rather than a lady writer [very lame I know]. Joking aside I have really enjoyed the interview and I have two questions - which writers have inspired you and what is written on your T-shirt?
Gladly I found out who inspired you and sadly not what was written on your t-shirt!
More gladly though I am over half way through We All Live Here and I am really, really enjoying it. It has had me laughing out loud and on a couple of occasions on the verge of tears. I am certain that I will finish it within the week and it is all I want to read.
During your interview you talked about how we are bombarded with news 24/7 from all over the world not only news but misinformation, disinformation and vitriol and that crucially what we need is a bit of a giggle, a bit of a cry and some feelgood. We All Live Here is providing those in bucket loads - I know that I will read more of your books. Thank you very, very much. Take care.
I tried nail varnish once and had to remove it about half an hour later because my nails got claustrophobia and felt like they couldn’t breathe. It can be quite handy for painting over small scratches on cars though, given it’s made of the same ingredients as car paint.
Love your writing and love the nails!
You must be a very patient person not to end up screaming at those questions - or maybe you did!
First - safe travels for the rest of your tour. I only finished the book yesterday, but asked you a few posts ago whether you might revisit any of the characters. And you kindly shared how much you loved writing Gene. Well, all I can say is I'm with you! My grandfathers both died just before and just after I was born so I never had the joy of knowing them. But I adored both Gene and Bill, such a wonderful combination of extremes and so weirdly relatable even as a 50 something woman! Thank you as always Jojo for 2 days of absolutely blissful holiday reading. I won't mention the turquoise sea of the Bahamas that has beautifully complemented that reading. 😎
Oh I love looking at my nails - especially when I feel life is a bit out of control - at least I’ve had my nails done 💅🏼 good luck with the rest of the tour & thanks for bringing smiles with your writing
The nails are great!
As for lightening the mood - the current US regime make it so easy to make jokes about them and some of those jokes are keeping me sane in it all and reminding me the majority of people are good and can see through these idiots. Troubles is - the idiots are dangerous. But hey, if you can’t make humour out of politics then why bother opposing them at all 🤷🏼♀️
Middle age women definitely need more role models and fiction written for them/us :)
I loved hearing you on last Sunday's radio with Kate bottley and Jason Mohamed I love your books and enjoyed listening x
thank you x
🫶🏻
I so agree, we need joy in our lives right now. Happy touring and enjoy those choc buttons