Dolly Alderton Live Stream Event Review

Last night, for the first time in my life, I attended a live stream book event. I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t you spend three years listening to people talk about books?”. I did and, even though my time at uni feels like forever ago and somehow like it was last week simultaneously, my love for the written word (and conversations about it) is something I don’t think will shift any time soon.

I’m very guilty, like a lot of us, of buying my books from the “bigger” shops, the usual places, that kind of thing so – until I saw the advertisement of Dolly Alderton’s Instagram page – I’d never heard of Lingham’s Booksellers. They are an independent book shop on the Wirral, who not only boast a brilliant selection of books but also host poetry evenings, post book reviews and have their own book club.

This event was hosted in association with At Home 4 Indies, four independent bookshops working in collaboration with authors, publishers and fellow Indies throughout the UK to bring live events during isolation.

Though I’ve definitely rediscovered the enjoyment of reading over lockdown, I’d never really dipped my toes into live, book-related events (and, admittedly, the idea of getting back on Zoom after a long, planned absence filled me with dread) until last night but – honestly- I’m glad I did.

I was a little late to the event due to connection problems but I got into the swing of things immediately, as Jude Rodgers asked Dolly Alderton questions about the characters in her latest novel, Ghosts, her writing process and what she has planned next.

Though she was hungover – as you would and should be coming off the back of a publication and several events to celebrate it – Alderton was funny, honest and light-hearted about her book, about writing and about her characters. You could really tell that she’s put a lot of thought and energy into her book, as she talked about it akin to how I talk about The Great British Bake Off , and I really do love it when writers love their own books as much as you.

I’m gutted I missed out on this due to being late but several of the other people who attended this event had sent in their questions (from asking for advice as a wannabe writer to “would you rather fight duck sized horses or horse sized ducks?”) and this made the event even better for me, as it meant we all got answers to questions somebody might never have asked – or Alderton might never have answered – otherwise.

Overall, the event was the dose of fun I needed during this time. I can’t wait to attend more events like this in the future and I really can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Ghosts – which I’ll definitely be reading again!