If the recent Hooked on Books Week wasn’t enough, local libraries are joining in Book Week Scotland, starting today. It’s the first national week celebrating books and reading.
As part of the week East Lothian libraries are hosting a range of events including author visits, teenage book groups, creative writing discussions, songs, poetry, arts and crafts, as well as kid’s and family events.
The ‘Reading hour’, taking place at 11am on 30 November, will be held across Scotland as a focus for Book Week Scotland. Library visitors can pick up a free book ‘My Favourite Places’ which is the result of a collaboration between BBC Scotland and the Scottish Book Trust. Together they invited everyone to think about their favourite place in Scotland, consider what makes it special and to then write a story, poem, song lyric, letter or sketch about it. The winning entries are featured in the book.
All East Lothian libraries, except Ormiston and Wallyford, will be taking part in the Reading Hour. There will be reading champions in each library to try and make sure everyone goes away with something they’d like to read; mystery books; poetry readings and much more.
So choose a library and join in the fun!
On Saturday, 1 December there will be a Readers’ Day in the John Gray Centre, Haddington. Alistair Moffat, director of Lennoxlove and Borders book festivals, will be discussing a project he’s been working on – Scotland’s Ancestral DNA. Marie Macpherson’s debut novel ‘First blast of the trumpet’ explores the early life of John Knox and features many places around East Lothian. Peter Kerr’s ‘Song of the Eight Winds’ is a tale of 13th century Mallorca.
There will also be a literary ‘pub quiz’, book swap, tour of the museum and musical entertainment. This is a ticketed event of £7.50 plus refreshments and a buffet. Full details of the complete programme and how to book where appropriate is on ELC’s website.
About Book Week Scotland
Book Week Scotland is being delivered on behalf of Creative Scotland by Scottish Book Trust, the leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing in Scotland. It develops innovative projects to encourage adults and children to read and write; funds a variety of literature events and promotes Scottish writing to millions of people worldwide.
