More JW and childhood

I read a few chapters of Jeanette Winterson's book last night and a few this morning. It's not an autobiography as such, it feels like her thoughts mingled with fiction with fact and you can hear her saying it aloud. This is why I like it so much. And it reminds me of things, things that I knew but were not said, or thought clearly. Some people at her reading said how she inspired them, (young women from Accrington and others) how she resonated with them, how she made them laugh and think. All these things.
Reading her book from her comments reminds me why I too used to read so much. It isn't to lose yourself, it is to find.
There is a coldness to a childhood in the north of England, was, physically due to lack of heating and the weather. There was warmth, a lot of warmth, I had a very happy childhood, but at the edges there is a coldness. Parents weren't involved, children had their own world, there was a difference that now blends between children and parents. If you're lucky.
But we found out on our own. And I read. It's good to be reminded.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

AT five o'clock yesterday, Sunday, I went with a friend to hear Jeanette Winterson read and talk about her autobiography, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
I've only read Oranges are not the only fruit and have seen the television series that was made of it. I don't know the rest of her work, only that it is experimental, she has written some children's books and she is insightful on programmes like The Late Review.
She was funny, interesting, knowledgeable and a great reader. She didn't need anyone to interview her, she could carry an idea, take on board a question from the audience and run with it well enough by herself.
I liked her idea of the inner world seeing us through crises, though my friend pointed out, all very well to say that when you live in Hampstead.
Mmm. It's a mix. We need to look after our outer and inner selves. But we don't need banal aspirations and trivia around us. What does get us through hard times is how we deal with them and that comes from...luck? How we deal with them and that comes from...character? The ability to have an inner world that can get us through rough periods in our lives.
Whatever the outcomes, she made me, I won't speak for everyone, think.
And a young woman from Accrington, where JW is from said her friends were amazed a girl from Accrington could read, let alone write a book. There will be many in Accrington who can read and write and maybe even a novel, but this young woman was inspired by her and had come to Manchester to buy Oranges are not the only fruit and then saw the author was giving the talk.
We could buy books and she signed them and looked you in the eye and responded to everyone, even if they were saying the same as the last, or something similar.

Perfect time of day and the perfect day as well. Five O'clock on a Sunday afternoon. Royal Exchange - we want more!! This should be a regular event.
I'm so glad I went.