Reading champions

Best selling crime writer says, "let's get Nottinghamshire reading"

International best-selling crime author Stephen Booth is calling upon Nottinghamshire book lovers to join him in spreading the joys of reading across the county.

Stephen, who is known across the world for his Ben Cooper and Diana Fry thrillers, has agreed to be Nottinghamshire’s Reading Champion for the 2008 National Year of Reading. He says:

“Reading is such a pleasure and can improve so many aspects of your life, yet thousands of people in the county never pick up a book for pleasure or set foot in a library. I owe much of my own success to discovering a love of reading at an early age, and I like to be able to share that secret with everyone. I think people enjoy crime fiction because it takes them into a whole different world, they can forget their troubles and concentrate on someone else’s! I would suggest a short thriller or crime novel is a great way to start reading again, if you’ve not picked up a book in years.

“I’m going to be enthusing about the joys of language at all the events I attend in Nottinghamshire, but I need others to join me as Reading Champions. You don’t need to be a writer and you don’t have to be famous – just be willing to share your enthusiasm and help others overcome reading difficulties or get access to books and libraries.”

Become a reading champion

The Nottinghamshire Library Service would like to hear from anyone in the county who is already voluntarily spreading the word about reading to other people in their communities (preferably not professionals and teachers). One or two champions will be named each month and will receive a prize and some publicity for their work.

If you would like to be recognised as a Nottinghamshire Reading Champion please complete the online form. We would like to hear from anyone who gives up their spare time to help others to read or who spreads the joy of books in any other interesting ways.

Stephen Booth was at Misterton Library in July as part of the Bassetlaw Arts Festival and Balderton Library in September, among other engagements.

The other Reading Champions appointed so far are bestselling authors Eve Makis and Michelle de Kretser, Retired Principal Librarian Rupert Vinnicombe, Cllr Steve Carroll and Veronica Leadbetter who is an enthusiastic volunteer helper for visually impaired readers.