Join us and celebrate with us during Book Week Scotland.
We are very excited about celebrating Book Week Scotland with you from 18 – 24 November 2019. The event this year has the theme of blether and we have arranged various events all aimed at having a good blether and most importantly, chatting about books. We hope to see you at some of the fantastic events listed below:
Monday 18 November
Between Tides and Dunes with Sarah Maine
Cumbernauld Library, 2pm
FREE
Sarah Maine is the author of the highly popular and acclaimed novel ‘House Between the Tides’, an Edwardian historical mystery set on a remote Hebridean island where the present day protagonist becomes obsessed with uncovering a century-old love triangle. It charts the parallel quests of two women a century apart with vivid descriptions of the island’s landscape and weather.
Her latest title is ‘Women of the Dunes’, where Sarah’s two passions – archaeology and historic fiction – merge powerfully to create the atmospheric world of Libby Snow.
Sarah’s writing is highly praised by critics who have compared her to Daphne Du Maurier and Barbara Vine. ‘House Between the Tides’ was featured as both Scotsman Book of the Year and Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year.
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to meet an exciting voice in historical fiction.
To book call 01236 632702.
Monday 18 November
Book Blether and Swap
Coatbridge Library, 10.45am
FREE
Drop in for a blether about your and your child’s best-loved books over a cuppa. Bring any pre-loved books with you and swap them with someone else’s.
For more information call 01236 856444.
Tuesday 19 November
Introduction to Sign Language
Coatbridge Library, 2pm
FREE
Join us in Coatbridge Library as we learn the basics of British Sign Language and what it means to be Deaf Aware. In partnership with Lanarkshire Deaf Club.
To book call 01236 856444.
Tuesday 19 November
Fallen Angel by Chris Brookmyre
Motherwell Library, 7pm
FREE – Ticketed
Chris Brookmyre is the hugely popular and multi award-winning author of such popular classics as ‘ A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away’, ‘Boiling a Frog’ and ‘All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses an Eye’.
His most recent title is ‘Fallen Angel’. To new nanny Amanda, the Temple family seem to have it all: the former actress; the famous professor; their three successful grown-up children. But like any family, beneath the smiles and hugs there lurks far darker emotions. Sixteen years earlier, little Niamh Temple died while they were on holiday in Portugal. Now, as Amanda joins the for a reunion at the seaside villa, she begins to suspect one of them might be hiding something terrible…
And suspicion is a dangerous thing.
Chris has been winning a host of prestigious awards since 1996 with ‘Quite Ugly One Morning’ winning the Critics’ First Blood Award for Best First Crime Novel of the Year that year and in 2016 ‘Black Widow’ won the McIlvanney Prize, previously known as the Scottish Crime Book of the Year.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of Scotland’s most popular crime authors and entertaining speakers.
To book call 01698 332626.
Wednesday 20 November
Chit Chat – Creative Writing
Bellshill Cultural Centre, 1pm
£5.50/£5 Concession
Join our regular creative writing classes for a Book Week Scotland-themed workshop on the voices in the CONVERSATION. How do different voices tell and change the stories that we write – the gossip, the secrets and much more besides will be explored with the resident class tutor. New writers welcome. Suitable for ages 16+.
To book call 01236 632828.
Wednesday 20 November
Book Speed Dating
Motherwell Library, 2pm
FREE
Calling all book lovers. Join us for a literary bout of speed dating and find your perfect (book) match.
To book call 01698 332626.
Wednesday 20 November
Letters to my Younger Self with Jane Graham
Airdrie Library, 7pm
FREE
Author and journalist Jane Graham has just published Letters to My Younger Self: 100 Inspiring People on the Moments That Shaped Their Lives.
This collection originates from a series started in The Big Issue more than ten years ago, when they asked people to write a letter to their younger self and since then, some of the most brilliant and successful people from the worlds of entertainment, politics, food, sport and business have had their letters published in the magazine.
Sir Paul McCartney writes on how he found inspiration, Mo Farah on the importance of losing, and many, many more, great names such as Margaret Atwood, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Palin reflect on their past.
Book Week Scotland is themed on Blether and Conversation this year. What better way to celebrate than chat with Jane on the universal experience of thinking what would we say to our younger self?
To book call 01236 758070.
Wednesday 20 November
Elizabeth Haynes Facebook Live Chat
Facebook, 7pm
FREE
Join us for author visit with a slight difference. You can relax in your home and join Elizabeth Haynes, author of several fantastic crime thrillers, as she chats with our librarian Chris Wilson live on Facebook.
You can chat in real-time with them and ask questions or you can submit questions beforehand on Twitter using #AskElizabethBWS between 12-19 November.
Elizabeth’s latest novel The Murder of Harriet Monckton sees her go back in time to 1843 to reveal the shocking story of the death of a young woman, based on a true story. Which of the main characters would want this young woman dead? You’ll need to read it to find out.
Join the live chat on Facebook on Wednesday 20 November, 7pm. Visit www.facebook.com/librariesnl.
Thursday 21 November
The World I Fell Out Of by Melanie Reid
Wishaw Library, 7pm
FREE – Ticketed
Melanie Reid was an award-winning columnist at The Herald in Glasgow before reporting for The Times from Scotland. Having broken her neck and back in a riding accident on Good Friday 2010 at the age of 52, she now writes her Spinal Column in The Times Magazine every week.
Paralysed from the top of her chest down, she spent almost a full year in hospital, determinedly working towards gaining as much movement in her limbs as possible, and learning to navigate her way through a world that had previously been invisible to her.
‘The World I Fell Out Of’ is an account of that year, and of those that followed.
Hear how writing was a lifeline throughout her treatment and a first-hand account of one of life’s toughest journeys.
To book call 01698 524960.
Thursday 21 November
Wee Blethers Meet Big Blethers
Airdrie Library, 10am
FREE
Blether across the generations at Airdrie Library, as the young and the more mature come together to share a celebration of stories and songs, led by talented professional storyteller, Gerry Durkin.
Carry on the conversation over elevenses and enjoy the pleasure and stimulation of interaction between different age groups.
All welcome
For more information call 01236 758070.
Thursday 21 November
Philosophy Café
Coatbridge Library, 2pm
FREE
Do you have an interest in matters philosophical? Do you like a good debate, no matter the topic? Do you sometimes like to think a little bit differently? Then join us for a special Book Week Scotland themed Philosophy Café, where we will discuss the burning issues of the day.
No prior knowledge is required, but discussion and debate are positively encouraged.
For more information call 01236 856444.
Thursday 21 November
Did You Hear?
Bellshill Cultural Centre, 7.30pm
FREE
The spoken word is powerful. A stolen conversation. Softly whispered words of love. Misheard words of anger. Idle gossip. The best joke EVER! Stories will always connect us in a personal way. Join NLStudio, CultureNL’s all-ability drama group, to explore these themes and ideas in an informal sharing. Suitable for ages 16+.
To book call 01236 632828.
Thursday 21 November
Wee Blethers
Wishaw Library, 4.30pm
FREE
Have a wee blether with CultureNL’s visiting craft arts tutor while you decorate a small ceramic keepsake to take home.
To book call 01236 632828.
Friday 22 November
Discover Hidden Truths and What You Pay For with Claire Askew
Coatbridge Library, 2pm
FREE
Claire Askew is a poet, writer and creative writing teacher living in Edinburgh. her debut novel in 2018, ‘All the Hidden Truths’, tells the story of the aftermath of an Edinburgh tragedy and introduces DI Helen Birch, a newcomer in Scottish crime fiction.
Her forthcoming novel, ‘What You Pay For’, is DI Birch’s second outing. Thirteen years ago, DI Birch’s little brother Charlie disappeared. Birch was part of a raid on one of Scotland’s most feared criminal organisations. Charlie came back. Now Birch has a choice: save her career, or save her brother? As she interrogates her brother, we see his story, in a brilliantly tense and clever novel about what people do to survive and the lines they cross to protect those they love.
Claire is establishing herself as a leading crime writer with having been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize Scottish Crime Book of the Year and shortlisted for the McIlvanney Debut Prize.
Although a relatively new novelist, Claire is a popular and experienced performer at festivals. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet an exciting new generation Scottish crime writer.
To book call 01236 856444.
Friday 22 November
Local Authors Showcase
Airdrie Library, 2pm
FREE
Join three popular local authors, Gerard Grant, A.J. Morris and Terry H. Watson as they discuss their work and the sometimes rocky road to publication
To book call 01236 758070.
Saturday 23 November
Book Speed Dating
Coatbridge Library, 2pm
FREE
Calling all book lovers. Join us for a literary bout of speed dating and find your perfect (book) match.
To book call 01236 856444.
Saturday 23 November
David MacPhail’s Viking Tales
Bellshill Cultural Centre, 10.30am
FREE
Children’s author David MacPhail will be entertaining us with his tales of Viking daring-do. Author of the Thornfinn the Viking books David loves sharing his tales of all things Viking. Expect a laugh out loud event. Families welcome.
To book call 01698 346770.
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