Tag: book club

Queen Camilla’s chart-topping ‘Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ returns for 2nd season

● Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant among authors and actors set to feature on the 9 episode season which returns on Monday 20th May 

● The first season of ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ was listened to in 158 countries and featured in the top 1% of podcasts globally

● The first season of  the podcast also spent several consecutive weeks at the top of the book and arts podcast charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia

The Queen’s Reading Room, the charity formed from the book club set up by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, has today announced the return of its chart-topping book podcast, ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’.  

The launch of season 2 comes just weeks after Her Majesty unveiled findings of the Charity’s ground-breaking research into benefits of reading at Clarence House AND comes only weeks before The Queen’s Reading Room Festival, which boasts a line-up including Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Harriet Walter & Harlan Coben, returns to Hampton Court Palace.  

The first series of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley, and comedian David Baddiel and was listened to in 158 countries.  Upon its launch, ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ reached the top 1% of podcasts globally and spent several consecutive weeks at #1 in the UK arts and books podcast charts, #1 in the Canadian and Australian Apple books podcast charts and #14 in the US Apple podcast charts. 

Available weekly from Monday 20th May, the second season of ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ will continue to create a space where book lovers – and those who wish to connect more with books – can hear straight from the mouths of literary heroes. 

The new season will feature a celebrated literary line-up which boasts ‘American Gods’ author Neil Gaiman, ‘Labyrinth’ author Kate Mosse and author of the ‘Roy Grace’ series Peter James, who will invite listeners inside their own reading rooms, taking us on their own personal journeys through the literature that influenced their lives. This brand new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favourite reads. 

CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: “We were astounded by the response to the first season of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast. It is clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners globally, enabling them to connect and fall in love with books.

“I hope that this second season of the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to go on new literary adventures and help those wishing they loved books a little more, to discover the true joy of reading.”

The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast season 2 is available from 00:01 on Monday 20th May on all podcasting platforms. The episode schedule is as follows:

Episode 1 –  20th May – Neil Gaiman

Episode 2 – 27th May – Mel Giedroyc
Episode 3 – 3rd June – Kate Mosse
Episode 4 – 10th June – Peter James
Episode 5 – 17th June – Santa Montefiore

Episode 6 –  24th June – Ben Okri

Episode 7 – 1st July – Clare Mackintosh

Episode 8 – 8th July – Curtis Sittenfeld
Episode 9 – 15th July – Richard E Grant 

Fort Kinnaird launches free book club in partnership with Musselburgh Library

Diverse aged group of people reading books together

Fort Kinnaird has partnered with Musselburgh Library to launch a free book club that will bring the community together over the joy of reading. 

The club will be hosted at the centre by the Musselburgh Library Team, with participants encouraged to bring along the book they’re currently reading or favourite novel to discuss and take inspiration from others.

Launching in Caffè Nero on Thursday 25th April, from 10am – 11am, the book club will meet on the last Thursday of every month. Booking is not required, and a free hot drink will be available for all attendees of the first session.

The new book club coincides with the relaunch of the centre’s popular book swap, which saw over 300 books exchanged by the community last year.

This year, in addition to the ‘Little Library’ of children’s books in the play area to exchange for free, there will also be a dedicated area for novels for all ages to swap in Caffè Nero. Both book swaps will be available from Thursday 25th April onwards.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “From our long-term partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we know how important access to books and reading is for children, not only for literacy development but also mental wellbeing – which is why we launched our book swap initiative last year.

“But we know reading is equally valuable to adults and it’s brilliant to be able to take our support even further with the launch of the book club, bringing the local community together to socialise and chat over a good book, or several!

“A special thank you goes to Musselburgh Library and Caffè Nero for providing their expertise and a venue.” 

Wilma Porteous, community librarian at Musselburgh Library, said: “We are so passionate about the benefits of reading, both for wellbeing and education, and were delighted when Fort Kinnaird approached us to work on this book club together.

“Whether you’re into thrilling crime novels or prefer a literary classic, the book club is the perfect excuse to while away an hour with fellow readers.”  

For more information, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/news/free-book-club

To plan your day out at Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com

Children’s author Yvonne Banham takes over the reading chair at The Centre Livingston Book Club

Children’s author Yvonne Banham, who was a nurse for ten years before deciding to embark upon her lifelong dream of becoming a children’s novelist, will be taking over the reading chair at the free Book Club at The Centre, Livingston on Saturday, 16th March.

The aim of the book club is to give visitors to the shopping centre the opportunity to join in regular storytelling and interactive sessions with award-winning authors and discover new books.

Yvonne, who was also a lecturer in Higher Education and won a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI), Undiscovered Voices Award in 2020, grew up on the island of Walney, off the coast of Cumbria and spent lots of time huddled on the wild beach with a scary book. 

When she left school, she couldn’t decide whether to be a nurse, an artist, or a writer, so she tried them all and decided she liked words best. 

Yvonne, who now lives in Stirlingshire and writes paranormal/fantasy fiction for readers age 10-14 years old, will be talking about how she became an author and read extracts from her book, ‘The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie’. 

The book is a ghost filled, paranormal ‘whydunnit’, packed with ghouls, shapeshifters and a grumpy gargoyle played out with lots of humour in the dark underbelly of Edinburgh’s Old Town with themes of friendships, trust, personal boundaries and the joy of found family.

Her interactive sessions will include tips on crafting your own scary story with ghosts, monsters and magical creatures, making the ‘monster’ the hero, and what makes a great villain. Kids will also have the chance to create their own bookmark.

The two 45-minute sessions on Saturday, 16th March will take place at 11am and 1pm across from Waterstones where Yvonne’s book can be purchased and personally signed on the day.

Yvonne said: “I love any opportunity to talk about books, reading and writing, so was thrilled to be invited to The Centre, Livingston to take part in their brilliant Book Club initiative. 

“I’m really looking forward to talking about Delores Mackenzie’s spooky Edinburgh adventures as well as chatting to readers about their own fantastic ideas.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the very talented author Yvonne Banham to our free Book Club which is designed to give our shoppers the chance to meet lots of award-winning authors and hear extracts from the fantastic books they’ve written.

“The sessions are very interactive and great fun, with visitors also getting the chance to pick up a copy of the books from Waterstones and get them personally signed on the day too.”

Authors and illustrators who have taken up residency at the Book Club since it launched last year, include Catherine Rayner, Justin Davies, Morag Hood, Lindsay Littleson and Linda Erskine.

Further details can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

Award-winning author and illustrator Morag Hood announced as Book Club Storyteller this month at The Centre

Award-winning author and illustrator Morag Hood is announced as the next author to read from her books at The Centre, Livingston’s free Book Club on Saturday, 20th January, ahead of National Storytelling Week at the end of the month.

The aim of the monthly Book Club is to encourage families to come together and enjoy interactive storytelling sessions once a month in the shopping centre and meet award-winning authors.

It follows on from the installation of the shopping centre’s free book recycling vending machine last year to enable people to swap their favourite novels.

Previous authors who have taken over the reading chair include Linda Erskine, Justin Davies, Catherine Rayner and Lindsay Littleson.

Edinburgh-based Morag, who has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and a BA in Costume Design from Wimbledon College of Art, previously worked backstage in theatres before immersing herself in the world of illustration. 

She is the author and illustrator of 12 picture books, including ‘I Am Bat’, ‘The Steves’ and ‘Dig, Dig, Digger’, which is a witty and funny tale about a little digger with big dreams. The follow up, ‘Runaway Cone’, is due to be published later this month. Morag is also the author of the best-seller ‘Sophie Johnson: Unicorn Expert’.

Her books are published internationally and have been translated into multiple languages. She is twice winner of the UK Literacy Association Award, voted by primary teachers, and three of her books have been distributed to every primary one class across Scotland as part of Scottish Book Trust’s school reading programme.

Morag has also had five nominations for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Awards over the years and won the Teach Primary Book Awards for ‘Brenda is a Sheep’.

One of her books, ‘Teapot Trouble’, was narrated by the comedian and presenter, Josh Widdicombe, on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

Morag’s session’s, which are aimed at kid’s aged 2 – 6 and start at 11am and 1pm, will focus on ‘Dig, Dig, Digger’ with a draw-along digger activity and a reading of ‘I Am Bat’.

The Book Club is located across from Waterstones, where her books can be purchased and signed on the day by the author.

Morag said: “I can’t wait to come to the Book Club at The Centre, Livingston this month and share some of my stories and make some muddy digger drawings together – it is such a great idea to run the sessions in the shopping centre and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to welcome another award-winning author, Morag Hood, to our Book Club this month at The Centre, Livingston and give our visitors the chance to hear readings from her award-winning books and take part in some interactive drawing sessions.

“Our free Book Club, which has been very popular since it started last year, is a great way for us to give families another reason to visit and enjoy some special time together.”

Details of the Book Club can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

National Storytelling Week, which takes place from the 27th January until the 4th February, is an annual event to celebrate the power of sharing stories, run by the Society of Storytelling.

Book Club author announced

The Centre, Livingston announces the next storyteller to take over the reading chair at its Book Club on Saturday, 16th December, is the award-winning author, Lindsay Littleson, a former teacher from Glasgow who has written nine books, including her latest, Euro Spies, which was published in April this year.

The aim of the Book Club, which is situated across from Waterstones, is to encourage a love for reading, the joy of discovering new books and the chance for visitors to the shopping centre to meet different authors each month.

It follows on from the installation of the shopping centre’s free book recycling vending machine to enable people to swap their favourite novels.

Previous authors who have been welcomed at the Book Club include Linda Erskine, Justin Davies and last month, the multi award-winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner, who has just launched her 21st book, Molly, Olive and Dexter – The Guessing Game.

Lindsay, who began writing for children in 2014 and won the Kelpies Prize for her first children’s novel, The Mixed-Up Summer of Lily McLean, will be taking over the reading chair at the Book Club on Saturday, 16th December at 12noon and 2pm.

Her novel, Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, was published in 2019 and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for both the Stockton Children’s Book Prize and East Sussex Children’s Book Prize.  

Her WW1 novel Shell Hole was shortlisted for the Dundee Great War Children’s Book Prize, which inspired her to write another two historical books, A Pattern of Secrets, set in Victorian Paisley and The Titanic Detective Agency. 

At the Book Club, located in The Wintergarden adjacent to Aerial Adventures, Lindsay will be reading extracts from her latest novels at 12noon, Euro Spies and The Rewilders, which was long listed for the 2022 SPARK! School Book Award.  Both are aimed at 8 – 12 year olds.

At 2pm the author will be reading her favourite festive book, Santa Trap by Jonathan Emmett, aimed at 4 – 7 years – Christmas attire is encouraged!

Lindsay said: “I’m really looking forward to my storytelling sessions at the Book Club in The Centre, Livingston. It feels particularly special as I get to read exciting extracts from two of my novels and my favourite Christmas story!”

 

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “The Centre, Livingston Book Club has been a big hit with our visitors to the shopping centre since we launched it in October.

“It’s great to welcome a different author every month and hear them reading from their award-winning books and this month, it’s even extra special with Lindsay also reading her favourite festive book.”

Details of the Book Club can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

The Centre book club welcomes award winning author Catherine Rayner

The Centre, Livingston Book Club is set to welcome the multi award-winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner, who has just launched her 21st book, ‘Molly, Olive and Dexter – The Guessing Game’ at this month’s storytelling event on Saturday, 18th November.

The free monthly Book Club was officially launched in October by authors, Linda Erskine and Justin Davies, to encourage a love for reading, the joy of discovering new books and the chance to meet various authors.

Catherine, whose extensive list of books include ‘Victor – The wolf with worries’ and ‘Arlo – The lion who couldn’t sleep’ has also illustrated books for many well-known authors, like Julia Donaldson and Michael Morpurgo. 

Her awards include ‘The Kate Greenaway Medal’ and ‘Booktrust Early Years Award’.

On Saturday, 18th November at 12noon and 2pm, she will be running fun and interactive storytelling sessions for children aged two to seven at The Centre, Livingston, across from Waterstones and next to River Island.

There will also be a live ‘draw along’ which is a step-by-step guide to drawing the characters in her books, including ‘Augustus the tiger’. Activity sheets and stickers will be available for kids to take home.

Catherine said: “I’m really excited about taking part in this event. It’s always great fun to meet little readers and I hope they will enjoy the storytelling and drawing activities I have in store! 

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to welcome the fantastic children’s author Catherine Rayner into The Centre, Livingston for our next storytelling session.

“Our launch last month was very popular with our shoppers and we’re expecting our interactive session this month to be another big hit.”

The Centre, Livingston Book Club follows on from the recent installation of the shopping centre’s free book recycling vending machine to enable people to swap their favourite novels.

Details on the Book Club can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

Care home starts next chapter with  new  activity launch

Weekly book club ignites imagination and creativity among  elderly residents

BOOK-LOVING pensioners at an Edinburgh care home are keeping their minds young and agile with the latest social activity introduction.

The new weekly club at Cramond Residence gives the home’s book worms the chance to engage in open conversation about a host of genres – some of which cover stories from their childhoods and gripping new novels that exercise the brain.

Elaine Vallance, newly promoted Lifestyle Team Leader, said: “Not only does reading help increase our residents’ cognitive skills, but it can also reduce stress and help improve sleep.

“It’s a fantastic form of entertainment and a great exercise for stimulating the brain, which can be particularly beneficial for our residents with dementia.

“Our weekly book club encourages independent reading, as well as the articulation of thoughts and sharing of opinions with a group of similarly minded people.

“The club is a great way of encouraging our residents to stay social and we have experienced that even some of our less talkative residents have been willing to engage in a common topic of conversation.

“We take the time to read to those residents who can’t do so and you can tell by the big smiles on their faces how much they appreciate the simple art of storytelling.”

Cramond’s book club takes place in the home’s luxurious and comfortable lounge facilities, offering views of the expansive gardens year-round.

In addition to the weekly clubs, Cramond Residence has a private library that is well-stocked with books of different genres that residents are free to borrow and return at their leisure.

Client Liaison Manager, Christian Daraio, said: “Cramond has the unique advantage of having five-star facilities that aren’t usually synonymous with a care home.

“Our residents love making use of the library and our weekly book clubs have proved to be very popular.

“We even have plans to invite authors along to the club in the near future to engage in conversations with the residents. We aim to make the club highly educational and a great knowledge builder.

“The mental and physical benefits you can experience from reading last a lifetime and can keep an elderly brain active and engaged, possibly even delaying the onset of dementia through the strengthening of memory retention.

“Not only that, but these group activities that we pride ourselves on here at Cramond are an excellent tool in fighting loneliness and social isolation.”

Cramond Residence offers a vast array of activities to its residents on a daily basis, with the weekly book clubs being one of the latest additions to the home’s bustling monthly rota.

Residential life at the care home is full of unique activities, as well as freshly prepared meals and top-class facilities, ensuring that all residents enjoy a rich and satisfying life at the care home.

The facilities provided include a cinema, a functional exercise room, a games room and also a fine dining experience offering residents the opportunity to invite their family members in for a meal.

For more information, visit: https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Drumbrae Library launches Book Club

Exciting news!!

We’re launching a new book club which will take place at the Hub on the last Tuesday of every month, starting from the 28th of February, 6.30pm.

BOOKING IS REQUIRED, so please give us a call or send us a message here on facebook or an email at drumbrae.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Looking forward to seeing yous all there and read good books together (we have some here you can borrow, don’t worry about bringing your own😉)

Rare Birds Books opens its first female-centric bookstore – and welcomes more than 1,500 visitors over first weekend

Best-selling book club has launched to unprecedented success in the heart of Stockbridge

A picture containing text, building, outdoor, street Description automatically generated

Home of female fiction, Rare Birds Books has launched Scotland’s first female-centric bookshop, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Stockbridge.

In a bold move that saw the globally beloved book club show resilience and innovation in a time of retail uncertainty, founder Rachel Wood welcomed over 1,500 visitors into the shop over the first trading weekend.

Opened on 6th August, at 13 Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, Rare Birds Books saw over 2,000 customers during its first month, selling around 3,000 books – proof that the nation’s love of reading has not abated following the end of lockdown.

In an even further show of local solidarity, Edinburgh shoppers came out in force, with one of the shop’s top four best-sellers over the last month being Luckenbooth, a haunting novel by Scotland-born Jenni Fagen.

A story set in Edinburgh, it is joined by Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, which were both past Rare Birds Book Club picks, as well as Things Remembered and Things Forgotten by Kyoko Nakajima. 

Besides the books that customers from around the UK have flocked to purchase, the store has also had to re-stock its now iconic tote bag and a number of the newly launched scented candles, which are made to be paired with whatever genre you are reading. ‘True Crime’ scent and ‘Writer’s Block’ have both flown off the shelves and are looking to be Christmas must-haves this year.

Book club founder and shop owner, Rachel Wood, said: “The store was always supposed to be the physical representation of our beloved book club, and we are thrilled our rare birds have already shown so much support in these initial days of launch.

“So far online and in-store sales are neck and neck, so we like to think that our neighbours are enjoying visiting us in person, whilst the rest of our fans around the world continue to join us virtually month on month as we discuss our club picks.

“Now that we are allowed to start hosting events, we will be welcoming in readers from all over for shopping evenings, author events and in-person book club sessions – it’s going to be amazing!”

Set to have its best Christmas yet, the book club you can’t read without, just got better! For more information visit:

https://rarebirdsbookclub.com/

Read the room: Rare Birds Books creates a booklover’s wonderland

  • Capital’s first female-centric bookstore
  • Best-selling book club set to launch in the heart of Stockbridge

From Friday 6th August, readers will be invited to visit Rare Birds Shop, located at 13 Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, to immerse themselves in a world of beloved book club favourites, must-have modern classics and the cream of the crop of newly published masterpieces.

From Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising to Torrey Peters’ Detransition, Baby, there will be a story, author and genre for every kind of reader, searching for every kind of world. 

Not only packed with the best stories the shop’s shelves will also see a collection of other must-have gifts and novel memorabilia.

From Rare Birds’ new candles, which are scented to pair perfectly with your current read, and graphic print totes emblazoned with the store’s logo, to small batch chocolate and stationery from women-led businesses, you are certain to come for the stories and stay for the merch.

Rare Birds founder, Rachel Wood, comments: “We’re so thrilled to be opening our first book shop in Edinburgh. We’ve always been deeply interested in women’s writing and we can’t wait to bring what we do online to life in our very own space.

“We dreamed of a really welcoming space where we could showcase a huge variety of women’s writing across all genres and create a space where booklovers could meet and socialise and that’s what I hope the space will be.”   

Shoppers will be able to choose from a range of female authored fiction and non-fiction books, as well as create Rare Birds’ signature personalised bundles, which are made up of 3 personal picks from the store’s world of stories. In the months to come, Rare Birds Book Shop will also be home to a number of in-store events, including author readings, book clubs and intimate shopping evenings. 

The book club you can’t read without, just got better. 

For more information visit https://rarebirdsbookclub.com/