There are several events and activities to take part in this week with Book Week Scotland in Orkney.

• The Strawplaiters of Orkney Exhibition at Northlight Gallery – open all week, 11 – 4pm free unticketed exhibition, including Book Launch on Tuesday 14th at 7pm, and a straw plaiting workshop/demonstration with Sue Knowles on Wednesday 15th from 11am – 4 pm
• The Boy With Nails for Eyes: An Animated Reading at Orkney Library and Archive – Tuesday 14 November, 6.30–8pm
• Fluff and Fiction workshop with Stephanie Cullen at Orkney Library and Archive – Saturday 18 November, 11am–1pm

There are also several online events you can join in:

• Alan Moore in conversation with Heather Parry (free online event) – Sunday 19 November, 3–4pm
• The Pleasures of Reading with Val McDermid (online livestream) – Thursday 16 November, 7–8pm
• An exclusive story by Ambrose Parry, told in daily email instalments
• The reading map of Scotland, where people can share what they’re reading during the week

Book Week Scotland begins today, Monday 13 November, with this year’s theme of ‘adventure’. Book Week Scotland is a national annual celebration of books and reading, with events taking place in libraries and community venues across the country, delivered by Scottish Book Trust – the national charity changing lives with reading and writing.

People picking up a copy of this year’s free Book Week Scotland book, Adventure, may be lucky enough to find one of seven special silver tickets, celebrating Scottish Book Trust’s 25^th anniversary, tucked inside the pages. The silver tickets are redeemable for book tokens, with six worth £100 and one valid for a year’s worth of books (to a value of £500). The tickets have been sent across Scotland, so readers far and wide are in with a chance of discovering one.  This year’s free Book Week Scotland books, which feature a story from an Orkney writer.

The book has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland, including one from local Orkney writer Ingrid Grieve entitled ‘Treasures Fae the Ebb’. Adventure also features exclusive contributions from Len Pennie, Sumayya Usmani, current Scots Scriever Shane Strachan, Mae Diansangu, and Gaelic writers Alistair Paul and Seonaidh Charity. 70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it is also available to order online alongside audio and ebook formats.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:

‘Book Week Scotland is one of the highlights of Scotland’s literary calendars, with events for all ages and interests taking place across the nation. Despite the fact that Book Week Scotland is now operating on a shoestring budget due to repeated funding cuts, working with and through our fantastic partners across the country we have been able, even so, to offer an exciting and accessible programme of events at a local and national level.

“We could not do this without the support of the Scottish Library and Information Council, library services and the many other community partners we collaborate with. And this is vital, because developing a love of reading is a lifelong adventure which brings much pleasure and many benefits to the individual and the communities they live in.’

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council said:

‘Book Week Scotland is an important opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate the power of reading which is why SLIC is proud to be a partner.  With a brilliant programme of events lined up in libraries across the country, there’s something for everyone.  We hope people will take this opportunity to rediscover all that local libraries have to offer.’

Above image; Ingrid Grieve credit Chris Scott

Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, Alan Bett, said:

‘Book Week Scotland is a highlight in Scotland’s literary and cultural calendar which continues to provide joy by connecting the reading public with Scotland’s authors and their books. Featuring some of the biggest names in our literary scene, this year’s programme showcases homegrown talent and provides the space to empower writers and readers alike, across the country and within their own communities.’