Gourmet reads: dining with a difference

Writing to get your teeth into?

Edinburgh City Libraries have paired up with Apex Hotels to offer a unique literary experience. Gourmet Reads gives you the opportunity to meet some of Scotland’s best-known authors during an evening of fine dining at the Waterloo Place hotel.

Guests will be able to meet novelists in person to chat about their lives, work and inspiration, as well as being given the chance to mingle with fellow diners.

This is the second Gourmet Reads evening, following theinaugural event in October, when best-selling author Ian Rankin entertained a small crowd with conversation and stories from his past.

And this month the event will return with an appearance from writer, journalist and musician, Doug Johnstone, author of six critically acclaimed novels including, most recently, The Dead Beat, an Edinburgh-set thriller.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, welcomed the addition to Edinburgh’s literary calendar. He said: “Literature is about more than just solitary reading, and can also form the basis of a vibrant, social activity like Gourmet Reads.

“This event adds to a packed literary programme in the capital, as well as a fantastic range of libraries and archives. I would urge anyone interested in spending an evening learning about new – or familiar – writers in Edinburgh, to book now and avoid missing out.”

Doug Johnstone will host on Wednesday 25 February and is the first of three writers to appear at the Apex Hotel as part of Gourmet Reads’ 2015 programme.

He will be followed by Daily Record columnist Shari Low, best-selling author of ten novels, on Thursday 13 March, and on Thursday 30 April by Alex Gray, whose latest book ,The Bird That Did Not Sing, is set against the backdrop of 2014’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Each event will cost £50 per person and will include a three course meal and half a bottle of wine, or an alternative drink. Income will be put into the Libraries revenue budget for use on resources and service.

Find out more about Gourmet Reads and how to book tickets on the Council website.