Do you enjoy reading? Want to share your favourite book or author – perhaps hear from others about theirs? Islington Reads is an opportunity for us all to share our experiences of reading. Post a comment below about your favourite book or author – or tell us what else you’re reading too – a newspaper, a comic, a magazine – and where. Tell us about what you’re reading, what you like to read or where you like to read.
Comment or tweet here throughout the festival…and see what others are reading below this post.
Share your reading with others here or tweet: @WordIslington #ISreading2012
There are book token prizes for the best posts and tweets!
WORD 
I’m reading Fortune Telling – a powerful new book of poetry, stories and photographs by All Change artists Aoife Mannix (writer), Leticia Valverdes (photographer) and Islington Turkish, Kurdish and Cypriot Women’s Welfare Group. It’s a preview copy, but the book launches on Monday 14 May and you can find copies in all Islington Libraries from then.
This is a wonderful book as was a previous book by All Change ‘In the Picture’ a project in 2008 which involved 45 young people in Islington creating their own photography, creative writing and animations which shared their experiences and hopes for the future. It is as relevant in 2012 as it was then.
So who are the top authors in UK libraries? According to the latest annual data they are a number of children’s authors including Daisy Meadows, the brand behind the “Rainbow Magic” series; Jacqueline Wilson; Francesca Simon, author of the “Horrid Henry” series; Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson; and Mick Inkpen. American writer James Patterson is the UK’s Most Borrowed Author for the fifth year running.
All are available from your local islington library.
Intereseted in Women’s fiction? Pop in to your local library to find all the books that are on the longlist for the Orange Prize.
Happy Birthday Edward Lear – born May 12th 1812. Why not tweet us a nonsense poem in celebration.
A good read for all aspiring and established writers check out the 7 principles of creativity on page 39 of Unlock Your Creativity by Jenny Hare. It can be found alongside other useful creative writing books at the Wake up your Creativity book display at the N4 Library on Blackstock Road. Happy reading and Writing!
Thanks to Word2012 for hosting me at Waterstones last night for a panel on writing for teens. I’m currently reading THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY by Siobhan Dowd. I love a good mystery. The book has a great premise — a boy disappears while riding the London Eye. I can’t wait to see what wonderful twists the author has in store for me. One of my favourite books of all time is TO KILL A MOCKING-BIRD by Harper Lee. It’s got a cast of amazing characters. It’s a mystery and a courtroom drama and a coming-of-age story with layer upon layer to explore. It’s one of those books that you can’t stop thinking about and want to discuss it with other readers. — Sara Grant, author of DARK PARTIES
I have too many favourite reads to pick just one, so here are three of them: The Secret History by Donna Tartt (students and murder) The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall (growing-up and Second World War) and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (love and satire). I just read Unrest by Michelle Harrison (a spooky YA mystery) – also a brilliant read! Thanks to @WordIslington for a great evening celebrating teen reads last Wednesday!
I’m a huge fan of Jodi Picoult – I love the way she takes a controversial issue and paints in all the shades of grey surrounding it, and the people who are personally involved, showing you all the different sides and leaving you with heaps of food for thought way after you finish reading. I am currently reading ANGEL’S FURY by Bryony Pearce – a thriller about a girl whose horrific nightmares may actually be memories from a past life… Thanks @WordIslington for hosting a wonderful TeenLit evening with fab fellow authors Sara Grant, Candy Gourlay & Sophie McKenzie last week – it was such fun and great to meet so many lovely readers – Katie Dale, author of SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE