Summer Reads: Reading is just the start...
“Summer reads entertained, stimulated and challenged me... I would thoroughly recommend it.”
Liz Ashby
Welcome To Your Summer Reads, May-July 2011.
Summer Reads starts with six great books, which you can read one or all of, whether alone or in a book group. Then you can get further involved as well as more info about the books online; meet the authors in our special Summer Reads events; join in the special reader events including book groups and flashmobbing; discuss the books online through our social media; win £50 in book tokens by voting for your favourite book.
Your Summer Reads 2011 are:
Click on the book covers below to find out more about each book:
Seeing Stars, Simon Armitage (9th-22nd May)
After The Fire, The Still Small Voice, Evie Wyld (23th May-5th June)
Ghost Light, Joseph O'Connor (6th-19th June)
The Good Angel Of Death, Andrey Kurkov (20th June-3rd July)
The Longshot, Katie Kitamura (4th-17th July)
The Mango Orchard, Robin Bayley (18th-31st July)
The dates alongside the book correspond to when we'll be discussing them online and when the WCN book club will be meeting to discuss them.
You can buy or borrow these books from your local Norfolk libraries and bookshops, and read them either as an individual or in your bookgroup. Book groups can order books now through your local librarian. If you want to join in the discussions online and the WCN bookclub, then please note the dates when we'll be reading each book (above).
On this project page you’ll find loads of information to help you get much more out of your reading, including videos, author interviews, reading guides, reviews, and further reading suggestions.
Whether you’ve read the books or not, come and hear our Summer Reads authors reading at some fantastic events in Norwich this May/June/July.
If you prefer things in the real world then make your reading a social event this summer with the Summer Reads Book Club led by Sam Ruddock. These friendly, open sessions will take place every other Tuesday between May 17th and July 26th at bookshops and libraries around Norwich. Come on, don’t be shy, we’d love to meet you. The Read-in-Café starts in May at Take 5, and the Book Lovers Quiz at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library is on Thursday 28th July. Click here for more information on all the events.
Join Sam in conversation about the books online and see what other readers have to say by joining in the daily conversation through Twitter, Facebook and Good Reads. All accounts are WCNBookClub, and watch out for the specific dates we’ll be discussing each book.
A chance to win £50 of National Book Tokens in our free prize draw when you tell us your thoughts and vote for your favourite.
Summer Reads Book Resources
Seeing Stars by Simon Armitage
Simon Armitage's array of oddball characters and hyper-vivid poetic short stories include: a father and son on a weekend camping trip; a whale that shops on Amazon; a chauffeur picking up a hitchhiking Dennis Bergkamp and a wife who demands 'space' as an anniversary gift. Celebrities and nobodies, all come to the ball...
“The best poet of his generation.”
Craig Raine, Observer
Sam Says:
"Seeing Stars
made me laugh out loud, even while pausing to take in a new perspective on life."
•
Author biography and book synopsis
•
Read an extract from Seeing Stars
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After The Fire, A Still Small Voice by Evie Wyld
Frank and Leon are two men from different times, discovering that sometimes all you learn from your parents’ mistakes is how to make different ones of your own. A stark portrait of life on the fringes of society by one of the Culture Show’s 12 Best New British Writers.
“A stunning novel from a brilliant new voice.” Esquire
Sam says:
“Powerful, white knuckle writing. Debuts don’t come much more impressive than this.”• Discuss
After The Fire, A Still Small Voiceonline with WCN Book Club on
Twitter and the
Facebook page: 23rd May-5th June
• Listen to Katie Kitamura, Evie Wyld, and Andrey Kurkov. (June 2011 at the Norwich Millennium Library)
Ghost Light by Joseph O'ConnorDublin, 1907. Outspoken and flirtatious, Molly Allgood is a Catholic actress from the slums, dreaming of stardom in America. Her affair with playwright John Synge is quarrelsome, affectionate and tender – and firmly opposed by all. Years later Molly recalls the defining affair of her life as she walks through London’s streets, alone, but sustained by memories and an inspiring passion for existence.
“Absolutely brilliant – a beautifully written love story.” Roddy Doyle
Sam says:“Hauntingly sad, yet packed with wit and invention; Molly’s story will stay with me for a long time.”• Read Joseph O'Connor's introduction to Ghost Light
• Read Sam Ruddock's review of Ghost Light
• See Joseph O'Connor read from Ghost Light in Norwich in June
• Author biography and book synopsis
• Read an extract from Ghost Light
• See what reviewers thought of Ghost Light
• Get more out of your reading with the Ghost Light Reading Guide
•If you liked Ghost Light, you’ll love...
• Buy Ghost Light online
• Vote for your favourite and win £50 of book tokens!
• Check out videos and podcasts with Joseph O'Connor
• Discuss Ghost Light online with WCN Book Club on Twitter and the Facebook page: 6th-19th June
• Ghost Light Book Club meeting: Waterstone’s, Royal Arcade, Norwich, Tuesday 14th June, 6pm
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• Discuss
The Good Angel of Death online with WCN Book Club on
Twitter and the
Facebook page: 20th June-3rd July
• Listen to Katie Kitamura, Evie Wyld, and Andrey Kurkov. (June 2011 at the Norwich Millennium Library)
The Longshot by Katie KitamuraCal and his trainer Riley are on their way to Mexico for a make-or-break rematch with the legendary Rivera, who has never been beaten. Four years ago, Cal became the only fighter
to take Rivera the distance. Only Riley knows how much that fight changed everything
for Cal. And only Riley really knows what’s at stake now, for both of them…
“Hemingway’s returned to life - and this time, he’s a woman.” Tom McCarthy.
Sam says:“The Longshot
is hard-hitting, intimate and raw. It hooked me quickly and still hasn’t let go.”• Listen to Katie Kitamura, Evie Wyld, and Andrey Kurkov. (June 2011 at the Norwich Millennium Library)
The Mango Orchard by Robin Bayley
As a boy, Robin Bayley always loved hearing stories about his great-grandfather’s Latin American adventures. Intent on discovering the truth behind these stories, Robin gives up his career to retrace his ancestor’s footsteps across the Americas. What he discovers in a village in Western Mexico is nothing short of life-changing.
“A magical Mexican adventure...”
Sam says:
“Travel writing and family history fuse in this engaging and enjoyable book. Bayley’s journey warmed my heart and reminded me of the common humanity we share the world over.”
Return to the topBuy The Summer Reads Books OnlineAll of the Summer Reads titles are available to buy from our
WCN Amazon bookshop, or choose your book on the widget below.
The great thing about Summer Reads is that you can get involved as much or as little as you want, and pick and choose the books and extras you want to focus on.Last years Summer Reads was a great success and we're feeling very confident about this year too! We've spent the winter scouring the world for great new books for this season, and are very pleased to announce the selection. Whatever you usually read, there'll be something for you here.
Many thanks to our Summer Reads partners:
Norfolk Library and Information Service.