Pages Ago and Flashback Fiction
Promotion dates : 19 May 2010 to 31 Oct 2010 : Current
Readers from across the North West are invited to enter the Flashback Fiction competition. We want readers to be inspired by history to have a go at writing a short piece of fiction. Local and regional prizes will be awarded at the end of the promotion in December 2010.
Take a look at some examples of entries so far: Examples of Flashback Fiction competition entries
Pages Ago is a promotion of history reading which is running in North West Libraries during 2010. History reaches into all genres of writing and the fact that a huge historical novel, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, won the Man Booker Prize in 2009 is testimony to the fact that historical fiction is now taken more seriously than it used to be.
Why not try some for yourself?
What we have done to tempt you is try to pair up fiction with non-fiction. So if you have really enjoyed a novel set in a certain historic period, you may wish to further your interest by reading some non-fiction on the same subject. Or may be you are one of those readers who says they only ever read true fact? You might be surprised by some of the historical fiction out there which has been meticulously researched, by writers who are passionate about history.
Perhaps you can find some interesting pairings of your own, with the help of library staff, and tell us about them on the Time To Read blog.
This list of historical reading is just a starting point. Libraries have lots of other historical titles available and will be promoting them during 2010. Pages Ago will also include events such as author visits, talks, readers’ days, writing workshops and other special activities to inspire adults and families to read about history. Use the link to your local authority website to find out what is happening near you.
NOW That’s What I Call READING
Promotion dates : 18 May 2009 to 18 May 2010
Time To Read wants people to try making a reading choice in the same way they choose what music to listen to. So, working on the theory that people who generally like cheery pop music such as Girls Aloud, Take That, and Sugababes, might be people who are interested in fashion, fun, romance and keeping fit. This might lead them naturally to enjoying books such as Chick Lit, celebrity biographies, romance titles and cheerful bestsellers.
Similarly people who like more moody music such as Radiohead, Coldplay , The Smiths or Elbow might be people who like books which express a dark, sexy, cinematic or bleak mood. We think books such as Love on the Dole by Walter Greenwood or The Road by Cormac McCarthy might suit them, along with titles by writers such as Raymond Chandler, Walter Mosley, Haruki Murakami or Neil Gaiman
Obviously people like different music and different reading experiences at different times, sometimes even on the same day. We really don’t want to categorise people or limit choices in anyway. We just think its interesting to think about the tone that many books have and try to match that to music, which people often seem to find easier to be decided about.
Time To Read has put together some shortlists of titles matched against groups of bands and musicians. These can be found on the Facebook ® page:
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The lists are only short and will change from time to time. We really want as many people as possible to make their own suggestions and connections on the Discussion Board.
Over the course of the next few months (May-Dec 09) many libraries will be displaying some of the books mentioned in this promotion as well as adding further selections, in special NOW that’s what I call READING displays. These displays will also be advertised on Facebook as well as on our Events link.
2008 Year Of Reading
Promotion dates : 1 Apr 2008 to 30 Sep 2008
Everything Starts With Reading
The slogan for The National Year of Reading 2008 reminds us of the crucial importance of reading for day to day living. Without reading everything is harder; getting a job, learning to drive, opening a bank account, using a computer, the list could go on and on. In addition, those who find reading difficult may never discover the joy of reading for pleasure. Can you imagine never going to a warm bed early with a good book, or passing away the hours of a train or plane journey with an adventure or tale of romance or intrigue.? I certainly can’t.
The government has declared that 2008 should be a National Year of Reading and libraries have a central part to play in this, not only as the major provider of free books for all ages but also as a key partner for many organisations engaged in the teaching of reading skills.
Here in the North West, public libraries have always worked hard to encourage people to use their services for enjoying reading, for reading more, and widening the range of books they might choose to read. This year we will be trying even harder to encourage more people to use our services, to participate in special events and activities, and maybe to develop a reading habit.
On this website you will find events that are being organised as part of the year on our Events pages, as well as some reading ideas., which will be added to as the year progresses.
For more information about the National Year of Reading please visit : www.yearofreading.org.uk
Pure Passion
Promotion dates : 16 Apr 2007 to 29 Feb 2008
Pure Passion is a promotion of Romantic Fiction co-ordinated by the North West Libraries’ Reader Development partnership Time To Read in partnership with the Romantic Novelists Association and sponsored by Bertrams Books.
Voting for your favourite Pure Passion title has now ended. We hope you took the opportunity to take part and have read some enjoyable books. The results will be announced at an award ceremony on February 21st 2008 (see Events for more details).
You may continue to leave comments about any of the titles listed.
Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 23 public library authorities in the region currently support Time To Read.