Readers' Day - line up announced

Best selling authors come to Nottingham
Martin Davies, Joanne Harris, and Marina Lewycka will be among guest speakers for this year's Reader's Day.

The 9^th Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Libraries Readers' Day, hosted by Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, takes place on Saturday 3 November at the offices of Nottingham City Council at Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham from 9.15am until 4pm. Tickets are on sale now.
Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: "This is a great event for book lovers of all ages who want to share their passion for books and reading. The author talks give people the unique chance to hear from published authors and learn about their inspirations for their books and give us an insight into the world of literacy.
"There is a fantastic selection of sessions available during the day on a diverse range of subjects; from a talk on Robert Browning to a discussion on Nordic Noir."
Nottinghamshire County Council Councillor John Cottee, Committee Chairman for Culture, said: "We are delighted to be joining forces with the city council on this key date in the calendar to celebrate reading. Every year, this Readers' Day event is well received by the public and offers another opportunity to celebrate our libraries, leading authors and literature."
After registration and a welcome speech, Martin Davies, the author of "The Conjurer's Bird" and "The Year After" talks about bringing the past to life in fiction.
From 11am until 12 noon, morning parallel sessions will take place including:

• From page to screen - Gillian Roberts asks"Is it true that the movie is never as good as the book?" An opportunity to discuss your favourite and least favourite examples of film adaptations.
• The Gift of a Book - Eve Griffiths from The Bookcase at Lowdham will lead a discussion on the joys and perils of choosing books as gifts. Share your own views on the best and worst books you've ever received.
• Ray Bradbury: Imagination and Beyond. The legendary science-fiction author died earlier this year. He left behind a collection of classic novels including "Fahrenheit 451". Alex Davies explores the work of this iconic and imaginative writer.
• Nordic Noir - Sheelagh Gallagher asks "What's so special about Scandinavian crime?" With an emphasis on all things Swedish!
• Where have all the happy endings gone? - Jane Brierley and Sarah Akroyd discuss whether literacy novels can bring a smile to our face or whether they have to be depressing to be taken seriously? Comes and hear our suggestions and share some of your own.

During lunch there will be a bookswap where citizens can bring in a book that they have enjoyed and swap it for a book they would like to read. There will also be bookstalls and displays.
After lunch Joanne Harris, best-selling author of "Chocolat" talks about her acclaimed new novel "Peaches for Monsieur le Cure". Joanne will also introduce her second book of short stories, "A Cat, A Hat and a Piece of String".
From 2pm until 2.45pm, afternoon parallel sessions will take place including:

• Joanne Harris - Join Joanne for a closer look at her epic fantasy adventures "Runemarks" and "Runelight"
• But What Would Jane Think? - Alison Hirst looks at literacy sequels and spin-offs: from "Wide Sargasso Sea" to "Death Comes to Pemberley"
• Do you believe in ghosts? - Local author Megan Taylor will explore our love of ghost stories, from childhood scary tales to the classics that have influenced her novel "The Lives of Ghosts"
• The Story of My Life - Deirdre O'Byrne explores our fascination with autobiographies, focusing on recent bestsellers by Jeanette Winterson, Joan Didion, and others
• Happy Birthday Browning - 2012 is the 200^th anniversary of Robert Browning; one of the best loved and respected Victorian poets. Mike Wilson looks at his most enduring works.

The day will draw to a close with a talk from Marina Lewycka, the author of "A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian" and "We Are All Made of Glue".
The Readers' Day is a joint venture organised by the Library Services of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.
Places for Readers' Day should be reserved in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are £18 (£16 if booked before 22 October 2012) and concession price (unwaged/over-60s/students) £15 (£13 if booked before 22 October 2012)
For further information contact about the event please contact Jane.Brierley@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, Development Librarian Books, Communities Team, on 0115 915 1171 or alison.hirst@nottscc.gov.uk, Librarian, on 0115 920 2247.
For more library events and information on services, please visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/libraries and www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries.