The Big Read – Free Book Event Comes To Harrogate
The North’s biggest book club – the Big Read – returns this autumn (Sept 23-25), travelling to libraries across the North of England and stopping off at The Harrogate Inn on Monday, September 23.
This free event, produced by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by the award-winning Inn Collection Group and Vintage Publishing, is part of the world-famous Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, and is designed to celebrate and create awareness of literacy, whilst paying homage to the legacy of crime fiction’s greatest writers.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see the Festival’s Reader-in-Residence Luca Veste, and fellow novelist Ajay Chowdhury, who will travel to six libraries from Merseyside to Teesside discussing Chowdhury’s The Detective, as they take the critically acclaimed Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on tour.
Ajay Chowdhury’s popular novel was a Times and Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year, and more than 1,000 free copies will be distributed across the participating libraries as well as at Harrogate library.
Luca Veste is the author of numerous crime novels, including You Never Said Goodbye, and The Bone Keeper. As well as being the host of the ‘Two Crime Writers and a Microphone’ podcast and the co-founder of the Locked In Festival, he also plays bass guitar in the band The Fun Lovin' Crime Writers.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We know that reading stimulates the brain, reduces stress and helps us relax and the aim of the Big Read is to bring people together from all walks of life through their shared passion for reading. This event is also a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of local library services which really are at the heart of our communities.
“The Detective is a cracking read and illustrates the rich variety that can be found in the crime writing genre and I’m sure it will encourage readers to explore the rest of Ajay Chowdhury’s books.”
Andrew Robson, of The Inn Collection Group, said: “The Big Read is a great way of supporting our libraries and bringing local communities together. Reading is one of life’s great pleasures and books have the ability to inspire us and show the world in a fresh light, which is why it’s a genuine pleasure for us to be involved in such a wonderful and rewarding project.”
The Festivals’ Reader in Residence Luca Veste said: “I’m delighted once again to be able to take the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival on tour with the Big Read. Local libraries are a cornerstone of our communities and have been an important part of my own life from an early age. I’m really looking forward to discussing this brilliant book with crime writing fans new and old.”
Bestselling author Ajay Chowdhury said: “I am both honoured and humbled that The Detective has been selected for this year’s Big Read. I’m excited to join Luca on the road and looking forward to meeting readers across the North of England!”
People can head to one of the participating libraries to collect a free copy of The Detective and sign up for the North’s biggest book club.
The Big Read 2024 schedule:
Monday, September 23:
Front Street, Acomb YO24 3BZ
Event Starts 11.30am
Event Finishes 12.30pm
1 Ripon Rd, Harrogate HG1 2SY
Event Starts 2.30pm
Event Finishes 3.30pm
Centenary Square, 9 Aldermanbury, Bradford BD1 1SD
Event Starts 6.30pm
Event Finishes 7.30pm
Tuesday, September 24:
17D Duke St, Formby, Liverpool L37 4AN
Event Starts 11am
Event Finishes 12pm
Wellington Rd S, Stockport SK1 3RS
Event Starts 6pm
Event Finishes 7pm
Wednesday, September 25:
Hexham Library & Tourist Information
Queens Hall, Beaumont St, Hexham NE46 3LS
Event Starts 12pm
Event Finishes 1pm
Kingsway, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham TS23 2LN
Event Starts 3.30pm
Event Finishes 4.30pm
About Harrogate International Festivals
Harrogate International Festivals is a charitable organisation with a mission to present a diverse year-long programme of live events that bring immersive and moving cultural experiences to as many people as possible. Delivering artistic work of national importance, the Festival curates and produces over 300 unique and surprising performances each year, celebrating world-renowned artists and championing new and up-coming talent across music, literature, science, philosophy and psychology. The HIF+ ongoing education outreach programme engages schools, young people and the local community with workshops, talks, projects and inspiring activities, ensuring everyone can experience the Festival’s world class programme and the transformative power of the arts. Established in 1966, Harrogate International Festivals is an artistic force to be reckoned with and a key cultural provider for the North of England.
Reader-In-Residence: Luca Veste is a writer of Italian and Liverpudlian heritage. He is the author of eight novels, including the Murphy & Rossi series, and standalone novels The Bone Keeper and You Never Said Goodbye. He is the co-organiser of the Locked Up Festival, which raised over £25,000 for the Trussell Trust, co-host of the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast, and the bass player in the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He studied psychology and criminology at the University of Liverpool. He is married with two daughters and lives in Merseyside.
About The Inn Collection Group
The Inn Collection Group is an award-winning pub with rooms operator based in the north east of England that operates 30 inns across northern England and Wales. Proudly staying true to its pub roots, you’ll fit right inn whether your visit is for a refreshing drink, delicious food or an overnight stay in some of the UK’s most picturesque locations. The Harrogate Inn is one of eight properties in North Yorkshire and has recently celebrated the first anniversary of its return from a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Barking George, the on-site named bar was named the best in Yorkshire & The Humber for 2024 by Pub & Bar Magazine in June and is one of a shortlist of six vying for the title of best town centre pub at the 2024 Great British Pub Awards.
About the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is the world’s largest event dedicated to the celebration of crime fiction. Taking place annually over four days each July at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, the Festival programmes over 100 best-selling UK and international crime authors and over 30 events. It is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals. The event features the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Awards.
About T & R Theakston Ltd
Title sponsor of the Festival since 2005, Theakston Old Peculier beer is produced by T & R Theakston Ltd. It is one of the country’s most famous and highly regarded traditional beer brewers. Theakston was established in Masham, North Yorkshire in 1827 by Robert Theakston. After a brief period in the 1980s when the company was acquired by Scottish & Newcastle plc, the company has been back under family ownership since Autumn 2003. It now operates as an independent brewer producing five permanent brands in the Theakston range including the iconic Old Peculier – its best-known beer with a rich, dark flavour, celebrated by ale enthusiasts all over Britain and around the world. http://www.theakstons.co.uk
