It was a delight, as always, to visit Inklings Bookshop on Main Street in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia, today. The owner and operator, Ed Hopkins, has been a friend now for a number of years. Since my last visit to Inklings it has been enhanced by the addition of the White Hart Cafe next door. The White Hart hosts numerous events every month, like my powerpoint presentation today on the life of C. S. Lewis followed by a signing of my new book, The Professor of Narnia.
As you might guess, Inklings Bookshop specializes in books by and about C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and other members of the Inklings literary group. But the bookshop has so much more! And it is absolutely lovely just to sit in the White Hart Cafe, sipping a cup of hot tea, munching on a Vanauken sandwich, and chatting with the variety of people who gather in this new hot spot in the heart of Lynchburg.
Even better than the opportunity to share the life of C. S. Lewis with those gathered in the cafe this afternoon was the chance, after my talk, to interact with the many people, sitting, standing at the bar, and even walking in the front door. Many folks were intrigued by this literary and religious discussion which, some of them, didn't even plan to encounter on a rainy, Saturday afternoon in November. Many personal, one-on-one discussions of deep and meaningful spiritual import followed the general group discussion and book signing. It was a day I will remember fondly for a long time.
Thanks to Bart Martin and Ed Hopkins (pictured with me below) for hosting me at New Covenant Schools and the White Hart Cafe. And thanks to Gail and Ernie Mitchell for warmly opening their home to me during my two days in Lynchburg.
To learn more about the Inklings Bookshop & White Hart Cafe click here: http://www.inklingswhitehart.com/.
As you might guess, Inklings Bookshop specializes in books by and about C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and other members of the Inklings literary group. But the bookshop has so much more! And it is absolutely lovely just to sit in the White Hart Cafe, sipping a cup of hot tea, munching on a Vanauken sandwich, and chatting with the variety of people who gather in this new hot spot in the heart of Lynchburg.
Even better than the opportunity to share the life of C. S. Lewis with those gathered in the cafe this afternoon was the chance, after my talk, to interact with the many people, sitting, standing at the bar, and even walking in the front door. Many folks were intrigued by this literary and religious discussion which, some of them, didn't even plan to encounter on a rainy, Saturday afternoon in November. Many personal, one-on-one discussions of deep and meaningful spiritual import followed the general group discussion and book signing. It was a day I will remember fondly for a long time.
Thanks to Bart Martin and Ed Hopkins (pictured with me below) for hosting me at New Covenant Schools and the White Hart Cafe. And thanks to Gail and Ernie Mitchell for warmly opening their home to me during my two days in Lynchburg.
To learn more about the Inklings Bookshop & White Hart Cafe click here: http://www.inklingswhitehart.com/.
Comments
Still following from afar... I'd be really interested in joining the group when you visit in 2009, or at least meeting up.
Regards,
Roger R.
(www.oxfordinklings.blogspot.com)
Good to hear from you!
I'm glad you want to join our group in 2009, or meet up. That would be great.
I'll keep you posted on developments.
Blessings,
Will