This year’s Book Week Scotland celebrations are fast approaching, with a line-up themed around ‘Scotland’s Stories’, as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has worked closely with writers and partners to put together an exciting week packed full of online and in-person events and activities, taking place 14–20 November.
A new book, Scotland’s Stories, has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from published writers Angus Peter Campbell, Raman Mundair, Graeme Armstrong and Helen Fields.
70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it will also be available to read online and as an audiobook.
Three of the pieces in the book come from writers based in Edinburgh: ‘Spellbound’ by Sue Palmer, ‘The Seeds of Our Home’ by Diana Monteiro Toombs and ‘Pakistani Life in 1960s Glasgow’ by Lubna Kerr.
Book Week Scotland is the country’s biggest celebration of books and reading. This year, the public are invited to vote on their favourite animal from fiction – voting is now open, and a national winner will be revealed during the week. Scottish Book Trust will also be asking people to share what they’re reading during the week on a Reading Map of Scotland.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
Book Week Scotland events taking place in Edinburgh include:
- Three Chairs for Crime: Three Authors with Daggers Drawn – Tuesday 15 November, 7.30–9pm at Juniper Green Bowling Club. Join three McIlvanney-listed authors – Andrew James Greig, Allan Martin and Deborah Masson – to discuss aspects of the crime-writing genre and explore what it takes to write crime.
- LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s Age Action Group’s Read with Pride – Wednesday 16 November, 2.30–4pm at Duncan Place Community Centre. Hosted by award-winning playwright Jo Clifford, this hybrid event will feature older community members talking about the queer writing that played an important part in their lives.
- Treasure Your History; History: Your Treasure – Wednesday 16 November, 2–3pm at Edinburgh Central Library. Librarian Iain Duffus twill show some of the rare gems the library holds (like the first Bible printed in Edinburgh, and early editions of Burns) in this specially arranged visit during which there will be the chance to explore the awesome book stacks, see some of Scotland’s first newspapers from the eighteenth century, and browse selected local items laid out to enjoy.
- Comics Jam – Friday 18 November, 7–8.30pm at Argonaut Books. A fun evening of comic-making at Edinburgh’s newest indie bookshop. Starting with a blank piece of paper, you take it in turns with others to create a comic, one panel at a time. It’s improvised, so you don’t know how the story will turn out!
- Scottish By Inclination: An Afternoon with Barbara Henderson – Sunday 20 November, 2.30–3.30pm at Lighthouse Bookshop. Barbara has been Scottish by inclination for 30 years. Now a children’s author, storyteller and teacher in the Highlands, she gives us a lively glimpse of Scotland through the eyes of an EU immigrant from her first ceilidh to Brexit and the choppy seas of citizenship.
Information and tickets for events taking place in Edinburgh can be found at scottishbooktrust.com/edinburgh-events
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a special time of year, where people across Scotland can come together to celebrate and experience the magic of books and reading.
“The 2022 programme features a mix of fun, spooky, inspiring and unusual events and activities. This year’s Book Week Scotland forms part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, celebrating Scotland’s rich culture of telling stories.
“We hope you’ll be able to join in with a Book Week Scotland event in your community, or one of the many ways to take part online.’
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is upon us with an imaginative and inspiring programme to excite, intrigue and surprise.
‘This high-profile national focus on literature brings readers together to engage with stories and meet their favourite authors.
‘In particular this year’s connection with the Year of Stories allows our folklore and rich heritage to be viewed and enjoyed through contemporary voices.’
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a terrific opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about books, reading and bringing together people, families, and communities to explore and revel in the power of words and shared stories.
“Libraries across Scotland have great programmes lined up during Book Week Scotland.
‘Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent in people of all ages, and with our libraries across Scotland filled with an abundance of free reading materials – whatever your interests and ability – we hope people will take the opportunity to use Book Week Scotland to start or get back to enjoying books and at the same time rediscover the enchanting world of the many brilliant libraries right on their doorstep.’
Neil Gray MSP, Minister for Culture, said: ‘Book Week Scotland’s theme around Scotland’s Year of Stories continues our celebration of innovative and ground-breaking forms of storytelling. This has been a bumper year for new and untold stories from people in communities across Scotland.
‘There has never been a better time to enjoy a good story and this week’s events will also highlight the wealth of emerging and forward-looking writing and storytelling talent we have on our doorsteps.’
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