Reading & Libraries
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Features on all things reading-related
Indulge your book loving sensibilities with our range of fascinating features on all things reading-related. From articles and interviews, to recommendations and author videos, you'll find something of interest whatever your literary taste.
Features July 2024
The Life-Changing Power of Books
As we celebrate Libraries Change Lives week (24 – 28 June), we take a look at the books that have moved us, shaped us and ultimately changed us.
Read the full article here.
Features July 2024
A sport-filled summer
This summer promises to be an exciting one for sports enthusiasts with UEFA Euro 2024 currently in full swing, and both the Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon. Amidst this excitement, we've been delving into the world of sports literature, discovering why these books are so captivating.
Read the full article here.
Features April 2024
Page Vs Screen: A search for stories
Sat by the campfire, on the phone to a relative, or listening to a radio advertisement – as humans we need stories. From Prehistory to the age of technology – we have a need to connect, to empathise, and to make sense of the world around us. In a world filled with screens and distractions, there's something uniquely captivating about delving into the pages of a book. Join Inspire's Ellie as she explores the question: is the book always better than the movie?
Read the full article here.
Features January 2024
Out with the old, Inspire with debuts!
As the start of a new year unfolds, it calls us to pause and reflect – a natural time for reflection that extends to my reading achievements and reading journey. Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern with my reading. I’ve realised that I exchange popular bestseller and established author titles as Christmas presents. This means that on autopilot, I reach for these gems every January... Follow Inspire's Ellie as she commits to reading 2024's sparkling debuts.
Read the full article here.
Features 2024
Why I Love Fantasy
When I was growing up, my dad always said, “the only books worth reading are the ones with maps in the front”. He was of course referring to fantasy books and the amazing artwork detailing fantastical made-up lands that so often appear at the start of fantasy books. And although I read a great many genres, I am rather inclined to agree with him... Join Inspire's Tabitha as she explores the world of fantasy fiction.
Read the full article here.
Features 2023
It's no mystery that readers love crime fiction
Crime fiction has long had the power to keep readers hooked. Way back in the 1800s, Penny Dreadfuls - often featuring crime and detection - were nothing short of a publishing phenomenon. And today, the genre often dominates both the bestseller and most borrowed lists. In fact, until last year, crime author James Patterson had held the accolade of most borrowed author from UK libraries for a staggering 14 years. We take a sleuth’s eye look at the hugely popular genre.
Read the full article here.
Features 21/06/2022
Reading Makes Life Better...
There are many reasons we reach for a book. For solace, for hope, for knowledge. To lift us up, to provide escape, to take us on adventures. The simple truth is, reading makes life better. And the science proves it. From combatting loneliness to increasing our empathy, books have a power far beyond what we might imagine. Inspire’s Michelle Dunstan takes a look at the life enhancing magic of books . . .
Read the full article here.
Features 21/06/2022
LGBTQ+ Books for Pride Month
As it's Pride Month, we've updated our recommendations to showcase the best LGBTQ+ books that are available to borrow now, in addition to some spectacular new releases that will be coming soon to a library near you!
View our recommendations here.
Features 28/04/2022
The Glory of the Garden
Are gardening books merely horticultural handbooks or do they contain a more poignant message? In this article, Clare Brown from the Reading and Culture team explores gardening books that are more than they seem.
Features 28/04/2022
Books with Botanical Covers
Spring has sprung and we're in the mood to stare at (and read) some books with covers filled with trees, plants and flowers! Check out Ann Penn's book recommendations that have covers adorned with leaves, flowers and trees.
Features 13/04/2021
Five Leaves Bookshop’s online event programme funded by Arts Council England
Five Leaves, Nottingham’s independent city centre bookshop, was delighted earlier this year to receive National Lottery funding from Arts Council England for our programme of five online event series in 2021. Find out what's on at Five Leaves. . .
Click here to read the article about Five Leaves online events
Features 13/04/2021
Short and Sweet
Could short stories be the perfect read for these times? Inspire’s Ann Penn takes a look at the form and shares a range of bite-sized recommendations to consume in one sitting. . .
Features 09/02/2021
Happily Ever After
Happy marriages most certainly exist. But do they make good stories? In this article, Clare Brown from the Reading and Culture team explores how literature treats couples once the knot is tied.
Features 09/02/2021
Love in all its forms: LGBTQ+ Books
We explore some LGBTQ+ classics and more recent titles available in our libraries. . .
Features 12/2020
Books in Cold Climates
Isn’t there something about books set in a cold climate that gives them a special quality? And especially so when they’re read in the warmth by the fire while it’s cold outside in the real world.
We take a look at how cold climes can make for great books, and offer some fireside winter reading inspiration . . .
Recommendations 12/2020
Cold Climate Recommendations
Find the joy of snuggling up with the right book and make the most of the winter months. Borrow a book from our Cold Climate Pinterest board specially curated by our librarians.
Features 12/2020
Book Talk with Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier talks with us about her latest novel A Single Thread. Find out what she has to say about the writer’s craft, her love of cathedrals and more.
Features 12/2020
Book Talk with T.M. Logan
We catch up with the bestselling author behind thrillers including The Catch .
Features 12/2020
Q&A with Tracy Chevalier
Novelist Tracy Chevalier shares the books which have inspired, amused and surprised her.
Features 12/2020
Our Top Reads of 2020
From children's books and bestselling thrillers to poetry collections, romantic stories and Sci-Fi gems. Find out all about the best-loved titles read by our staff during 2020.
Features 10/2020
Autumn Reading
Ah, Autumn. Season of mists and . . . wonderful books! As the nights draw in, we take a look at why the autumn months are the perfect time for some serious book indulgence . . .
Features 10/2020
Dia de Muertos
Inspire's Michelle Osorio shares her insight into Mexican culture's very different attitude to death and how it permeates into literature...
Interviews 10/2020
Inspire <VIRTUAL> Poetry Festival Book Talk Special
Hear Nottingham's own Manjit Sahota talk about his poetry and activism. Plus, founder of the Emma Press, Emma Wright, tells us how she set up her successful Birmingham-based independent press.
New Work 10/2020
AGM - Poem: Let us Dream
A poetical celebration of our libraries by Panya Banjoko.
Recommendations 10/2020
Your Next Good Read: Autumn
Our Librarians select some of the season's best literary offerings.
Book Club 08/2020
Inspire Online Book Club: Update!
Download the latest Book Club choice and watch our latest Zoom chats.
Recommendations 10/2020
Gothic Reads
Our selection of atmospheric reads - perfect for the darker season . . .
Features 08/2020
Armchair Travel
Travel to exotic and fascinating lands - without leaving your armchair - with our round up of great travel reads on eAudiobook.
Features 08/2020
Book Talk with Leanne Moden
Poet and performer Leanne Moden talks to us about creativity in lockdown, word hugs and launching her new collection.
Watch Leanne's Book Talk interview
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Features 08/2020
Booker Prize 2020
Explore the wonderfully eclectic longlist for this year's Booker Prize.
Features 22/06/2020
Reading Groups in Lockdown
How have reading groups been adapting to isolation? We take a look at the options open to us, and invite our reading groups to tell us about their own lockdown experiences.
Books Q&A 22/06/2020
Mike Gayle
We pose our bookish Q&A to bestselling author Mike Gayle. Mike's novels includeThe Man I Think I Know and Half a World Away. Find out which books have surprised him, made him cry and more . . .
Features 25/06/2020
The Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
Find out about the shortlisted titles for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction.
Find out more about the Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
/reading-information/reading/features/womens-prize-fiction-25th-anniversary-shortlist/
Books Q&A 22/06/2020
Pete Ramskill
Poet Pete Ramskill tells us about the books that have inspired him, sent his mind racing, and the poets who make him cry.
Recommendations 25/06/2020
Black Voices
Explore our Pinterest board of eBook and eAudiobook titles, covering race, racism and Black lives.
Explore the Black Voices books
/reading-information/reading-recommendations/equality-diversity/black-voices/
Recommendations 25/06/2020
Refugee Stories
National Refugee Week took place 15 - 21 June this year. Explore a range of free to borrow digital titles on the them. Featuring stories of courage, heartbreak, injustice and the importance of sanctuary, from around the world.
Explore tour Refugee Stories recommendations
/reading-information/reading-recommendations/equality-diversity/refugee-stories/
Features 20/05/2020
Book Talk - Crime Fiction Special
Three major crime writers talk to Librarian Chris Jones via video.
Books Q&A 20/05/2020
Books Q&A: Crime Reading Special
In celebration of crime fiction, we pose our Bookish Q&A to four brilliant crime writers.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-crime-writers/
Recommendations 20/05/2020
Crime Reading Picks
Our selection of the best crime digital eAudiobooks ready to be enjoyed now.
Features 04/05/2020
The Books That Shaped Our World
TM Logan and Henderson Mullin each tell us about a significant book and the way it has shaped their lives. Part of our ongoing tie-in with the BBC Arts celebration of the English language novel's 300th anniversary,.
Watch the Books That Shaped Our World videos
Books Q&A 04/05/2020
Milly Johnson
Bestselling and award-winning author Milly Johnson answers our bookish Q&A.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-milly-johnson/
Features 01/05/2020
eAudiobooks - picks of the month
With thousands of digital audiobooks available to listen for free via Inspire, it can be hard to choose. We've highlighted some of the best treats available for multiple users now (so no queues!).
Books Q&A 06/05/2020
Cathy Bramley
Bestselling author of romantic fiction Cathy Bramley answers our bookish Q&A.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-cathy-bramley/
Features 04/05/2020
Kids, Kestrels and the Kitchen Sink
Writer Andrew Graves looks at two examples of working class literature that became cinematic gold.
Features 04/05/2020
Life in Lockdown: Five Leaves Bookshop
A look at how Nottingham’s much-loved independent bookshop is adapting.
Books Q&A 04/05/2020
Henderson Mullin
We pose our bookish questions to the Chief Executive of Writing East Midlands.
