19 Comments
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Jessica Coles's avatar

Lucy, I have spent my working life writing essays, and now spend time with my grandchildren helping them to structure theirs! However, I often wonder if I could choose again - I think I should have been a librarian. Being surrounded by books - perfect. Also one of my granddaughters is reading your book about Queen Victoria. The others are on my sofa on their phones. So Lucy - one out of six grandchildren isn’t bad - progress is made at grandma’s house thanks to you Lucy!

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David Johnson's avatar

Hey Lucy!

What a delightful read about a delightfully sounding library. And who doesn’t love a library. Especially one one can sleep beside.

Count me in for this Sunday. So looking forward to this. You will have at least one fan tuning in from Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Also a place touched by Indigenous, French, and British history.

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Tracy Ferkler's avatar

The library library vacation sounds lovely and I will be watching the Norman special in bed with a nice wine.

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Vanessa Lee's avatar

Hi Lucy, thought you had lost the plot - no, not the Gunpowder one which was fab by the way - writing you had slept in a library! Must pay a visit sometime, especially being able to get a bus from Chester. Dont really know that much about Gladstone despite him being from my home town - Liverpool. There's an English Heritage blue plaque on the house where he was born in Rodney Street. Diary note made and alarm set for Sunday 26th!

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Laura's avatar

Books. Sleep. Eat. Perfect holiday.

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Susan Ellis's avatar

I thought the British library good with its separated desks with a lamp. Toilets and a cafe. But where you were they had rooms to sleep and country walks.

I have just read wiki about Gladstone. I never thought him a religious man from watching documentaries and the little I have read.

His parents came from different denominations. He seemed to be evangelical like his mother getting his inspiration from the Bible. The passage says he rejected his call to the ministry and it tormented his conscience.

I wonder how evangelical christianity has changed since he was alive?

With the women in sex work did he support them while they got out of it as it is a sin? Women were more reliant on men in those days for their keep and some of your Lady Swindlers radio series explained what kind of conditions women got into.

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Andrea Daly's avatar

A great read, now older, I wish I had todays technology for research to combine it with reading hard covered books. I so enjoy reading what you find out about the personality of each character you study. It’s gratifying to hear about others feeling nervous about speaking in front of others too!

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BetsyC1219's avatar

Now I want to sleep in a library!! Guess I’ll have to wait until I come to Wales.

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stephanieb's avatar

Your previous ‘employer’s’ loss surely is our gain: whenever would you have found time to connect with everyone??

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Victoria K. Walker's avatar

That sounds and looks like a perfect way to spend a few days. Thank you for the introduction.

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Sarah Connolly  (aka Sazzle)'s avatar

That sounds amazing. I’m adding this to my list of places to visit xxx

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Phil Seaman's avatar

Hello Lucy

That sounds like an amazing place to stay! It will definitely be going on my 'bucket list'!

X

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Joan Gedraitis's avatar

Holy Hoppin' Hippos! This is definitely on my bucket list! Of course, back in grad school I almost lived in a library .... except the cleaning crew kept chasing me out!

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Jan Sutton's avatar

What a delightful break! Or holiday, as you Brits say. Thanks for sharing your experience, as well as an insight into Mr. Gladstone's characteer.

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Joe Vargas's avatar

I think it was Jorge Luis Borges who said that he thought Heaven would be like “some sort of library.” I’m ready if there are dogs there. 🐶👍🏻

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Dawn Duncann's avatar

Wow that sounds like a dream come true! As a child my family moved to many small towns, our once weekly trip to the town library brightened my life. ❤️🇨🇦

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