The Centre, Livingston launches its first-ever, free Book Club for all ages, featuring a different author each month, which follows on from the recent installation of our innovative, book recycling vending machine to enable people to share their favourite novels.
The aim of the Book Club, announced today on ‘National Read a Book Day’ to provide free monthly reading events, catering for all ages, to encourage a love for reading and the joy of discovering new books, and the chance to meet various authors in person.
It will be officially launched during the October mid-term school holidays with readings from two authors with books aimed for children aged between 4 and 14 years old.
On Saturday the 7th and 14th October at 11am and 1pm, former journalist, Linda Erskine from West Lothian, who has written four books for ages 4-9, will be reading George and Mildred: ‘Life’s a Beach’, which sees George, a timid boxer dog, step out of his fear to become a superhero and also ‘Limitless’ which is about dreaming big. The sessions are interactive and kids are encouraged to dress up as superheroes.
From Wednesday the 11th until Friday the 14th October at 11am and 1pm, award-winning author Justin Davies from North Queensferry will take over the reading chair for some interactive book fun.
In the morning sessions, suitable for ages 7 and up, he’ll be sharing extracts from Help! I Smell a Monster, which won the Fantastic Book Awards in 2021, & Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf. Both books are packed full of monsters – good, bad, big and small. They also feature a brave hero called Alice who has to face all her worst phobias almost at once. Kids will also be able to create their very own monster-tastic character.
In the afternoon sessions, suitable for ages 9-14, Justin will read from his new, darkly comic mystery adventure, Haarville, a story packed with secrets, seaweed and scoundrels! He’ll also share some top writing tips and get kids to create a ‘seaside-themed menu’.
Authors will take up residency in the Book Club, which is located across from Waterstones, on the third Saturday of the month, to share their own stories and read from some of their best-loved novels, and also take part in Q&A sessions. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates at @shopthecentre.
Linda said: “I’m delighted to be involved in The Centre, Livingston’s first-ever Book Club. My goal has always been to inspire children to realise their full potential and lead them to become the heroes of their own life’s story and embrace their uniqueness.
“Sharing my stories is a fantastic opportunity for me to encourage kids to be brave and enjoy new adventures, which I’m really looking forward to.”
From Wednesday the 11th until Friday the 14th October at 11am and 1pm, award-winning author Justin Davies from North Queensferry will take over the reading chair for some interactive book fun.
In the morning sessions, suitable for ages 7 and up, he’ll be sharing extracts from Help! I Smell a Monster, which won the Fantastic Book Awards in 2021, & Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf. Both books are packed full of monsters – good, bad, big and small. They also feature a brave hero called Alice who has to face all her worst phobias almost at once. Kids will also be able to create their very own monster-tastic character.
In the afternoon sessions, suitable for ages 9-14, Justin will read from his new, darkly comic mystery adventure, Haarville, a story packed with secrets, seaweed and scoundrels! He’ll also share some top writing tips and get kids to create a ‘seaside-themed menu’.
Justin said: “I’m thrilled to be involved with The Centre’s new Book Club. Meeting young readers and helping to inspire a love for reading is the best thing about being a children’s author. I can’t wait to share my books with everyone and maybe even some of my top tips for writing super stories!
Robert Graham, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “There’s so many benefits to taking time out and enjoying a good book or reading an exciting story to your children which is why we wanted to launch our very own, free monthly ‘Book Club’ at The Centre, Livingston.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming our first two authors, Linda Erskine and Justin Davies, who both have fantastic books they’ll be reading from in sessions which are interactive with a wonderful superhero theme and thereafter welcoming a different author every month, catering for all ages, who’ll read not only from their own books but will also share some of their favourites with us too.”
Authors will take up residency in the Book Club, which is located across from Waterstones, on the third Saturday of the month, to share their own stories and read from some of their best-loved novels, and also take part in Q&A sessions. Details can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com
and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.
