Charmaine Daisley
An Evening of Tea and Readings held on November 28 at Paper Based Bookshop at The Normandie, St Anns, proves that the activity of reading books has a chance to survive in the midst of the internet age.
Seating at the event was at a premium as people crowded the intimate space to enjoy reading presentations from four local authors and a commentary from one filmmaker, before they made a purchase of their books on offer.
The event, hosted by Paper Based owner Joan Dayal, spotlighted authors Martin Daly, Elspeth Duncan, Danielle Delon, and Lisa Allen-Agostini, and filmmaker, Christopher Laird.
Daly presented readings from his book, The Daly Commentaries, a compilation of his newspaper musings through the years on topics ranging from politics to T&T’s natural wonders. Laughter erupted from the audience when Daly jokingly explained that his readings for the evening were an attempt to show his softer side rather than his largely warpath offerings for which he is so well known.
In similar fashion to Daly’s book origin, Duncan’s book—Tobago Peeps— was populated with articles from her weekly column by the same name, in the T&T Guardian. “Tobago Peeps,” said Duncan, “is both a peep into life in Tobago, as well as referring to the people of Tobago.” Delon, taking on the role of historian, excitedly read excerpts from her book Bridges, transporting the audience back to our island’s earlier and simpler times and the infrastructure that was just emerging on its landscape. The excerpts read by Allen-Agostini from her latest book Swallowing the Sky, reflected her personal experiences in love and loss.
The event also featured a short film presentation by Christopher Laird, highlighting the storytelling capabilities of T&T’s writers and film creators. Laird presented lively clips from No Bois Man No Fraid, his stick fighting-themed short film, and Paradise Lost, which gives a rare peek into Peter Minshall’s mind on the creation of his 1976 mas designs by the same name.
Within the last decade, a slew of television drama series as well as the ubiquitous social media has been changing the choice of entertainment among today’s audiences. People, it seems, are always on the move, smart devices in hand, lapping up reruns of Shonda Rhymes’ latest brainchild, or video clips from pop stars, celebrities, and friends. From all the online activity, it would appear that reading is facing an imminent flat line.
An Evening of Tea and Readings, held for over four years by Paper Based Bookshop, continues to recharge the dying art of reading by promoting and spotlighting local and regional authors, and engaging audiences through vivid presentations of the value and vitality of the written word.