Enjoy a blether and a book as part of Book Week Scotland

A special book, Blether, created from real-life stories submitted by members of the public has also been released.

Working with a wide range of partners, Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will deliver a diverse range of events and activities, many tying in with the Year of Conversation, including the Digital Festival with free events that can be accessed online by all.

100,000 free copies of the Blether book, celebrating the theme of conversation, will be available from libraries and other community venues during Book Week Scotland. The free book can also be ordered via Scottish Book Trust’s website, which features each and every personal story submitted by the people of Scotland. A selection of 30 stories are featured in the book, which also includes work from Still Game actor Jane McCarry; Hings author Chris McQueer, The Boxer author Nikesh Shukla and Bird Summons author Leila Aboulela.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Book Week Scotland brings people of all ages and walks of life together to share and enjoy books; it is a week of books and reading for everyone. We have an exciting range of inspiring, unusual and accessible events with a diverse mix of authors, writers and illustrators. This year we are celebrating the theme of conversation in all its forms, from a wee blether to the life changing heart-to-heart. We hope you can join us at a local Book Week Scotland event, or online through our Digital Festival.”

During Book Week Scotland there are hundreds of free events taking place across many different local authorities, funded by Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

In East Renfrewshire, a large number of events will be taking place:

Braw Wee Book Café, Barrhead Foundry Library, Tuesday, November 19, 18.30-8pm

Book-loving staff will share with you the best of books and in the spirit of the theme, blethering is wholeheartedly encouraged! If you are looking for something new and need some inspiration for winter reading, then this mini book café is just braw.

This is Your Footballing Life with Daniel Gray, Arthurlie Inns, Wednesday 20 November, 7.30-9pm

Join author and lifelong Middlesbrough FC fan Daniel Gray as he takes us on a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about all that is golden about the ‘Beautiful Game.’ Daniel will read from his books Black Boots & Football Pinks and Saturday, 3pm, drawing on memories of the players, grounds, matches, characters and mascots that make the sport such an intrinsic part of our lives. In addition, Daniel will interview three guests from the proud and wonderful world of Scottish Junior Football as they discuss the three items that mean the most to them from their time in the sport.

There will be laughs, tears, pride and maybe even a few jeers! Join us for an evening celebrating what football means to you.

Where are the Women? with Sara Sheridan, Giffnock Library, Wednesday 20 November, 7.30-8.30pm

Everywhere you look in Scotland you can find monuments to famous men: the Wallace Monument, the Scott Monument and the infamous cone-wearing statue of the Duke of Wellington, to name a few. But have you ever stopped and wondered: where are the women? Sara Sheridan has, and Where are the Women? offers a comprehensive portrait of Scotland told through the lens of women’s stories. Join Sara as she shares snippets from the book.

There will be an opportunity to purchase books at the end of the talk.

Big Bletherin’ Book Bash, Saturday, November 23, 2-4pm, Barrhead Foundry Library and Giffnock Library

It’s a marvellous party and everyone’s invited! Celebrate your favourite books by dressing up as your favourite character for a book-tastic afternoon of games, crafts and stories galore.

Mairi Kidd, Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, Creative Scotland said: “From the Gruffalo to gardening and crime to cookery, there’s something for everyone in Book Week Scotland. There are so many ways to get involved – online or in venues across the country, from telephone boxes to local libraries, where you’ll find books in English, Gaelic, Scots and other languages as well as audio books, e-books, braille books and more. With a huge range of partners across the length and breadth of Scotland hosting an incredible programme of events, we hope the whole country has a blast blethering about books and stories.”

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of The Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) said: “Libraries across Scotland will be joining in the Book Week Scotland celebrations, meaning everyone has the opportunity to get involved. Libraries offer the perfect place to celebrate the joy of reading and, with a range of digital resources available, people can use their local library to get involved in the Digital Festival. In keeping with the Year of Conversation, libraries are trusted spaces where people can connect with others and engage in new experiences. Get along to your local library and get involved.”

Book Week Scotland also features a fundraising initiative, Big Book Swap, to support Scottish Book Trust. Join hundreds of schools, workplaces and community groups on Friday 22 November to swap books and raise money to help Scottish Book Trust to continue to support people in Scotland to reach their potential through reading and writing. To sign up and receive your free fundraising guide, visit Big Book Swap.

The Book Week Scotland 2019 programme is available to view in full here