A good love story
Everyone loves a good love story, but have you ever thought of looking for love at your local reading group? We met Angela and Paul, members of a reading group for people who like Graphic Novels, who found love where they least expected it.
Angela, a library officer for Blackburn, started the group, How Novel, about five years ago. She first met Paul at Darwen library where she was promoting the group. She started talking to a woman she thought wanted to join, but the woman pointed to Paul, her brother, and said "He's the one into comics." Angela recommended a Batman book to him, and Paul was hooked.
So Paul went along to the group and the pair started getting to know each other. They found that they liked a lot of the same books and they started introducing each other to different authors. They had in depth discussions about storylines, characters, and style. "I think having those things in common made it easier to be friends and beyond. You could always talk about the books, if nothing else," says Angela.
The group started meeting as friends outside the library. They would go to the cinema together and visit each other's houses. Angela and Paul got on so well that all the other members of the group began to realise there was something between them. "Our friends in the group knew before we did. One even tricked me about what time we should all meet, so I could spend more time with Angela," remembers Paul.
But it took a long time before Angela and Paul realised they should be together. Paul recalls seeing Angela in the pub with a boyfriend and feeling jealous with no idea why. He tried to ask her out a couple of times but something always got in the way. Eventually he found the nerve, and the right time to ask her on a date.
A year later, on a beautiful, sunny day, the couple went to Skipton Castle together. They were sitting by a tree in the middle of the castle courtyard and Paul handed Angela a rose. Inside the rose was an engagement ring. He told her that he couldn't imagine his life without her in it and asked whether she would do the honour of marrying him. Angela, of course, accepted.
The pair married last November. Angela walked down the aisle to the music from Lord of the Rings. They named their reception tables after well known graphic novels including Gotham by Gaslight and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Even the wedding cake had a book related theme. It had mini figures of the couple and Angela was standing on some books while Paul held a Batman comic behind his back.
The rest of the group didn't miss out on the celebrations either. One group member was a bridesmaid, the other an usher and the rest of the group attended the evening 'do'.
A year on, Angela and Paul are celebrating their first anniversary. They still share a love of reading and have just started reading the Hobbit together. "We always know exactly what the other would enjoy, and share books all the time," says Angela.
Angela and Paul recommend...
Fables by Bill Willingham
This is for those who think graphic novels aren't for them. It's about what happens when fairy tale characters are real and live in modern times.
Superman: Red Son by Mark Miller
It was the groups' favourite for ages and they persuaded each new member of the group to read it. Superman lands in Russia instead of America. Does a country change who someone is? Lots of things to talk about with this one!
If you've got a Reading Group story to tell we'd love to hear it, contact us
