Book Week Scotland 2017 will run from 27 November to 3 December and there will be hundreds of free events across the country.
Almost 500,000 books will be gifted to school pupils in Primary 1-3, and there is a digital festival to take part in online with Q&As with a special guest on Twitter, an unboxing game with top book vloggers and Crimewriters Cluedo.
Earlier today at Maison Bleue Home on Queensferry Street (yes that place that Leonardo Di Caprio visited!) this year’s programme was launched by Scottish Book Trust (SBT) CEO Marc Lambert. Characters from Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and The Handmaid’s Tale helped serve up the events from a silver platter.
The theme this year is Nourish and there are four aspects to it : Justice and Sustainability, Breaking Bread, Nourishing Ourselves and Feast.
Authors involved include Val McDermid, Bernard McLaverty, Christopher Brookmyre, Stuart McBride, Gail Honeyman, Joanna Cannon, Natasha Pulley, Catherine Simpson, Rachel Lucas, Denise Mina, Doug Johnstone and John Lister-Kaye. There are personalities such as Judy Murray, BBC Travel presenter Paul Murton and foodies Mary Contini and Sue Lawrence.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “This year’s packed programme of events brings our best line-up yet to every corner of the country. With a tasty selection of must-see talks, workshops and opportunities to take part online, Book Week Scotland offers something for everyone. This year’s theme, Nourish, perfectly encapsulates the wide range of connections and experiences that books and reading have, across all communities, cultures and ages.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scottish Book Trust is delivering some innovative work to make reading more accessible and help ensure everyone in Scotland has an opportunity to enjoy reading. As this year’s edition shows, Book Week Scotland continues to go from strength to strength, engaging with a varied public – from world-renowned authors and publishers to schools, communities and individuals – and encouraging a nation-wide love of books and reading.
“There are few pleasures greater than getting lost in the magic of books and, especially during 2017 Book Week Scotland, I encourage everyone in Scotland to commit to picking up a book.”
The venerable Liz Lochhead will be running a unique workshop for beginners and experienced writers.
In Edinburgh the libraries will have Matthew Fitt reading extracts from his new Scots translation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In the auction to raise funds for SBT which will be held during the week there is a rare first edition of the second Harry Potter book signed by the author.
If you or your school want to help raise funds there is a free fundraising toolkit with top tips on holding a book sale is available here.
Free bags of books and other goodies will be gifted to Primary 2 and 3 pupils across the country as part of ‘Read, Write, Count’
On 28 November there will be an Authors Live webcast by Phil Earle for children and young people.
On 30 November there will be the National Reading Lunch encouraging you to read during your lunchtime wherever you are.
For more information about Book Week Scotland 2017 and how you can get involved, visit www.bookweekscotland.com where you can find information about all the events taking place in your local area.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
