The (W)riters’ Library at W Hotel
The swish W Hotel near Leicester Square will be probably be known to most Londoners for that mammoth ‘W‘ outside. But what you might not know is that last night they launched an intriguing new project – The (W)riters’ Library.
Curated by author and journalist Damian Barr, it’s a stylish sanctuary where both hotel guests and the public will be able to nosey through a collection of one hundred books while sipping on a cocktail or two.
Ten of Damian’s favourite authors from all over the world have chosen ten books each to contribute to the (W)riters’ Library shelves, with the collection including classics, graphic novels and authors from Andy Warhol to Margaret Atwood via Dr. Seuss.
The ten authors involved are: Bret Easton Ellis, David Nicholls, Hephzibah Anderson, Geoff Dyer, Ned Beauman, Alex Preston, Naomi Alderman, Sloane Crosley, Jake Arnott and Craig Taylor. (Only three women writers though. Could be worse but could be better too…)
Inside each books, the author who chose it has included a handwritten introduction, explaining why they love the book, how they came across it, and other assorted trivia such as who they were in love with or what they were doing when they started their love story with that book.
What do you think? Gimmick or gorgeous idea? If you live in London, will you be investigating at some point soon? And which books and authors would you want to see in the (W)riter’s Library? Let us know in the comments…
Jane Bradley
Lovely idea! Especially for nosey people like me who want to know what others read. Thanks for this!
I think this is a lovely idea (you’re right though, shame only 3 women authors involved). One of the reasons I love picking up books from charity shops is because they often have handwritten notes or messages in… I’m naturally nosy, and there’s something very romantic about passing on books that have meant a lot to you/were discovered at a significant moment/remind you of someone.
Love this idea! I like seeing messages in books too, but they can be sad too. When I was travelling in China, I picked up Sebasitan Faulks’ ‘Engleby’ and there was this really sweet message from a dad to his daughter and it seemed such a shame she’d left it behind her,
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