The week-long celebration of reading takes place from 21–27 November this year.
Book Week Scotland has unveiled its programme for 2016 with a promise of being the most inclusive event yet.
The week-long celebration of reading takes place from 21–27 November this year with hundreds of free activities taking place across the country.
Organiser the Scottish Book Trust said it wants to make the event as accessible to a wide range of people as possible, and has launched an outreach programme in a bid to achieve that goal.
The fifth year of Book Week Scotland promises to be a real celebration of Scotland’s incredible literary culture
The programme will tailor events to specific audiences and will include a range of activities including discussion nights, creative writing workshops to improve mental wellbeing, a celebration of adult learners’ reading achievements and an event to celebrate people who use reading and writing to manage their long-term health conditions.
Support comes from 20 local and international organisations including Dyslexia Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service, Fare Scotland and Open Book alongside community and learning development teams from five local authorities.
Other highlights of the week include Q&A sessions with top authors including Alexander McCall Smith, Liz Lochhead, Will Self and Jodi Picoult, a search for the nation’s favourite film based on a Scottish book, and celebrities and authors revealing their reading confessions.
Thousands of free books will also be given away to every P1, P2 and P3 child in Scotland.
Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s a fantastically positive endorsement of Scotland’s thriving literary scene that Book Week Scotland is now entering its fifth year, bigger, better and bolder than ever before.
“Authors, booksellers, libraries, readers and partners too numerous to mention have really taken this national festival to heart and made it what it is – a joyful, democratic and inclusive celebration of reading’s unique capacity for empowerment, enrichment, education, solace, pleasure and growth.”
Leonie Bell, Creative Scotland’s arts and engagement director, said: “The fifth year of Book Week Scotland promises to be a real celebration of Scotland’s incredible literary culture, from new writers to old favourites.
“With an outreach programme ensuring that everyone across Scotland is able to enjoy the magic of reading and a plethora of book-related events, talks and dares to embark on, Scottish Book Trust is taking us on a reading adventure like no other.”
