Whoop! The Bookseller's Rising Stars of 2026
I am absolutely over the moon to have been included in The Bookseller's Rising Stars of 2026.
Thank you so much to The Bookseller for this incredible recognition and thank you to everybody I met on Thursday evening. It was such a privilege to spend time with such an amazing group of people, and I feel incredibly honoured to be included alongside you.
Firstly, thank you to every single member of Michelle Gordon Book Club for making it such a beautiful place to be. This recognition belongs to all of us.
Thank you to the authors who have been so generous with their time, joining our meetings, answering our questions and genuinely connecting with our community. It means more than you know.
Thank you to all the publishers and everyone working across the publishing industry who answer my endless emails, make introductions and help bring these wonderful opportunities to life.
As most of you know, I started again in my 50s. To be recognised alongside so many inspiring people is something I never imagined, and I feel incredibly honoured.
Michelle Gordon Book Club was originally created during COVID, and it has evolved into such an absolutely wonderful place and my absolute passion project. It has also kept me going throughout my Crohn's flare, which everyone who knows me will know has made the last year incredibly challenging.
I want Michelle Gordon Book Club to be affordable. Our online meetings are completely free because I recognise that many people don't have lots of spare money but still want to connect, discover new books and enjoy new experiences.
Our subscription box is also priced affordably because I believe everyone deserves a little gift to themselves each month without breaking the bank. Every box includes a carefully chosen book, a personalised bookmark, some bookish gifts and a note from the author.
Our book club has never been about pressure. We read one book a month, but if you read more, that's wonderful too. If you haven't read the book, you are still very welcome to come along to our online meeting. The meetings are about so much more than discussing a book. They are about connection, warmth, laughter, friendship and spending an hour in the company of people who simply love reading. I can honestly say that if you come to one meeting, you'll want to come back.
To see something that started as an idea in my head grow into this wonderful community, and now to have it recognised by the book industry, is incredibly special.
Today, I am very grateful.
Thank you. 💜📚
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