Book Week Scotland is a week-long celebration of books and reading that takes place every November across the length and breadth Scotland (of course) and this year it is set to begin on Monday 23 and continue through to Sunday 29 November.
Every year many of Scotland’s authors, poets, playwrights, performers, illustrators and book lovers join together in celebrating everything bookish and with an event packed week ahead there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.
Discussing this year’s itinerary Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:
“The huge personal benefits in health and wellbeing that flow from spending just a short time each day lost within a book are now widely documented and understood. But it seems that people still remain to be convinced. Can a book really transform the way we feel? Can it lighten your mood, ensure a better night’s sleep, steal away loneliness? This year we are challenging Scots from all walks of life to try this miracle cure out for themselves – and to share their stories and results with us in a celebration of all the things books and reading can do.
“This challenge sits at the centre of Book Week Scotland, but the full programme is many and varied, and offers something for everyone on a national basis. For example we will be working in parallel with Scottish Adult Learners Week to further explore and celebrate books’ capacity to effect real, long-lasting change in people’s lives. This exciting association will include an award recognising learners’ achievements in reading.
“The message is, whoever and wherever you are, Book Week Scotland is for you.”
This year will see events such as:
Libraries Transformed, a selection of creative events across Scotland designed to challenge the public’s perceptions of what libraries are.
A new campaign called #ThankBooks will be launched, encouraging members of the public to share how books or people from the world of books have inspired them or changed their life. Celebrities and authors such as Alan Cumming, Ian Rankin, Louis De Bernieres, Andy McNab and Greg Proops will also reveal their own #ThankBooks.
The Reading Spaces project:
Now this is one I am really pleased about; organisations across Scotland will be encouraged and supported to transform neglected areas of their office into a dedicated reading area, where staff can retreat to enjoy some relaxation and escapism with a good book.
How flipping brilliant is that! This needs to go global.
150,000 free copies of a short story and poem collection written by ordinary Scottish people, Journeys, will be handed out during the week via libraries, bookshops and other outlets. Audio and ebook versions will be available to download from www.bookweekscotland.com. A selection of Scottish pupil’s journey submissions will also be offered across Scottish schools.
In addition to this, three free picture books will be gifted to every Primary 1 pupil in Scotland. The Bookbug P1 Family Bag was produced in conjunction with Education Scotland and the Scottish Government as part of Read, Write, Count. The available titles are taken from the Scottish Children’s Book Awards 2016 shortlist:
Never Tickle a Tiger by Pamela Butchart and Marc Boutavant
Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie
and
Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School by Simon Puttock and Ali Pye
Comedian, actor and presenter Danny Wallace Melvin Burgess, will be touring schools around the country during the week engaging pupils in his own unique way.
People can also choose from a Scottish Book Trust shortlist of 40 book quotes they believe are the most shareable. The top 3 quotes that people would most like to share with their friends will be revealed on 26 November.
As if that’s not enough, look at the list of book people that will be joining in with Book Week Scotland:
Diana Gabaldon – Outlander
Kate Mosse – Citadel
A.L. Kennedy – All the Rage
Michel Faber – The Crimson Petal
Val McDermid – Northanger Abbey
Arne Dahl – The Blinded Man
and not forgetting
Paula Hawkins – The Girl on the Train
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:
“Book Week Scotland is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading and literature. The pleasure of reading cannot be underestimated. As well as broadening the mind and nourishing the soul, reading provides a range of mental health and wellbeing benefits that should not be ignored. More than two thirds of Scots read for pleasure and we are committed to encouraging more Scots from all backgrounds and of all ages to read more. Book Week Scotland offers that opportunity to make that commitment to reading and it has something that will appeal to everyone.”
Oh how I wish I lived in Scotland, not only do you have the most beautiful countryside, wonderful accents and lovely people but you have this too!
Oh I forgot, you get Brian Blessed and Cathy Rentzenbrink popping up somewhere during the week too!
I am so jealous.
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