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Book Week NI
Book Week NI is celebrating its 10th Birthday!
Book Week involves libraries big and small and lots of different organisations. It's now in its 10th year. You can read more about what's happening here...
Book Week 2025 - 'Must Read' recommendations
Books, library memories and 'must read' recommendations for Book Week 2025. Guests include: Anna Curran, Mark Simpson, Father Brian D'Arcy, Suzie Lee, Gareth Gordon, Jayne McCormack, Jonny Murphy, Louise Cullen, Ali Totten, William Crawley and Cee Daly.
Create your own poster or bookmark for Book Week 2025
We’ve created some downloadable Book Week resources for children and young people (and the young at heart!) - allowing you to create your own Book Week 2025 posters, bunting and bookmarks. Get creative!
Book Week 2025 Gallery
Our Book Week 2025 photo gallery includes some of the people involved with the Book Week busyness so far, including author Rónán Hession, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s Director-General and lots of familiar faces from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ television and radio…
Talking About Books 2025
A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2025.
Five Fables
An animated version of Robert Henryson’s Five Fables, based on Seamus Heaney’s acclaimed translation. It’s narrated by Billy Connolly with original music by Barry Douglas. A television classic with enduring appeal.
Book Talk for Book Week
Some recommended reads from across the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½...including Director-General Tim Davie, Sarah Brett, Adam Smyth, Eve Rosato and David Maxwell.
Mark Simpson reports on Book Week 2025
Bus and train passengers urged to get on board for book week.
Peanuts at 75
On the 75th anniversary of the iconic comic strip Peanuts, psychoanalyst and author Josh Cohen shares how Charlie Brown and the Snoopy gang have become his constant companions—and how they can help us navigate the frustrating squiggle of life.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 500 Words
500 Words is a story competition for children. It's all about creativity and fun. And there are lots of prizes to win as well.
Recommended Books...
Books recommended by our Book Week 2025 contributors
Listen again on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds
When Kevin Met Sadie: Chris Page first read Joan Lingard’s Kevin and Sadie novels as a boy. He hears from readers in Northern Ireland about how the stories have shaped their understanding of the past.
The Radio 2 Book Club
Sara Cox celebrates the best in new fiction, with author interviews and listener reviews from across the UK.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wonder by Katherine Rundell
In a series of original essays, Katherine Rundell explores the world of children’s fiction in a journey that reveals its fundamental importance to all of us.
Poetry Extra
Poetry Extra has just celebrated its 10th birthday. It features poems and poets from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s archives and is presented by Dalit Nagra. Poetry Extra’s birthday programme included Paul Muldoon and Catherine Heaney.
Take Four Books
James Crawford invites well-known authors to talk about their latest book and to select three other texts that have influenced their writing. Contributors include Wendy Erskine, John Banville, Andrew O’Hagan and Eoin MacNamee.
Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History by Adam Nicolson
Adam Nicolson's story of the popular British garden, started in 1932 by grandparents Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson.
Book Week 2024 - 'Must Read' recommendations
Favourite books, library memories and 'must read' recommendations for Book Week 2024. Guests include: Sara Girvin, John Toal, Thomas Niblock, Wendy Erskine, Niamh McNally, and more to come! And we've got a special reading of Bookshops by Michael Longley.
Book Week 2024 Ambassadors
Our Book Week 2024 Ambassadors include Ministers from across the Executive and other well-known people in public life.
Books and Music
As part of Book Week 2020, we asked the Ulster Orchestra to perform a selection of music inspired by books. This performance includes some well-known tv themes, including Jackanory and Katie Morag. It was recorded in Belfast Central Library.
World Book Club
Conversations with brilliant writers from around the world. Fascinating insights and lots of new books to discover from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service.
Between The Covers
Sara Cox and guests enjoy lively conversations about book recommendations.
A Good Read
Writers and other well-known people choose their favourite books, with Harriett Gilbert.
Open Book
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4's programme about all things book-related, including new publications, author interviews and lost classics.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News Online - Children 'are the future of NI libraries'
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News went to Saintfield Library for a visit from the 'Library Cat' - and spoke with Libraries NI area manager, Patricia Curran.
Hanif Kureishi on This Cultural Life, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4
Writer Hanif Kureishi talks with John Wilson about the experiences and influences that have shaped his career.
Words and Music
A wonderful, weekly journey of discovery, weaving together a range of music with poetry and prose read by leading actors. Each programme has a different theme.
Book Week Gallery 2024
Some photos from Book Week 2024
Book Week 2023 - Recommended Reads
An anthology of book recommendations for 2023 from guests including Carl Frampton, Petroc Trelawny, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, Jarlath Burns, and Elaine McGee and Mark Patterson.
Book Week 2022 - Recommended Reads
A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: Diona Doherty, Holly Hamilton, Diarmuid Gavin, Dave Elliott and Lindsay Allen.
Book Week 2021 - Recommended Reads
A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½NI's Tara Mills and Declan Harvey, Tricia and Cara Mailey and comedians Tim McGarry and David Hume.
Book Week 2020 - Recommended Reads
A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: comedian Paddy Raff, author Jan Carson, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½NI's Marie-Louise Connolly and the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Director-General Tim Davie.
Book Week 2019 - Recommended Reads
A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: journalist Eamonn Mallie, writer Glenn Patterson and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ presenter Gemma Bradley.
Talking About Books 2023
A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2023.
Blue Peter Book Club
Head over to the Blue Peter Book Club for even more amazing stories and tons of exciting activities, quizzes, and cool challenges!
Talking About Books
A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2022.
Read All About It! on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Ulster
Mark Simpson and Holly Hamilton eavesdrop on some conversations about books, reading and libraries for Book Week 2022. Fun filled conversation in great company and with plenty of suggestions for books to borrow or re-read during Book Week and beyond.
The Big Scottish Book Club
Damian Barr interviews some of the biggest names in fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley
Michael Mosely explores the health benefits of reading fiction for half an hour each day. He finds out how taking time with a book can reduce stress, tackle depression and why it may even help you live longer. A programme on ‘shelf-improvement'...
Book of the Week
Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history.
William Sieghart
William Sieghart, the founder of the Forward Prizes for poetry and National Poetry Day, talks to Michael Berkeley about the music and poetry he loves.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Ideas: What does reading on screens do to our brains?
This short film explores the benefits of reading and the effects of screen time. Prepare to be surprised!
Book Week 2023 - Photo Gallery
A small selection of photos about Book Week NI 2023.
Photo Gallery - Book Week 2022
A selection of photos about activities and events as part of Book Week 2022, including from our Read All About It! recordings, A Box of Delights and Love Your Library Day.
Photo Gallery - Book Week 2021
A regularly updated selection of photos about people and events during Book Week.
Books on Screen 2021
A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2021. Those taking part include Stig Abell, William Sieghart, Adam Beales and members of 'The Camilla Club'.
Around the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
100 Novels That Shaped Our World
Explore the list of 100 novels whose stories have the power to change us.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Ideas: Five books that helped shape our world.
This short film explores how some books have changed how we think about our world. A thought-provoking selection – and maybe some new reading ideas!
10 novels about crime and conflict
The impact of war, violence and struggle unite these choices.
Resources
Why is storytelling important to children? (ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Teach)
There’s evidence to suggest that the benefits of being read to frequently as a child go way beyond just literacy skills. Former CBeebies presenter and dad Alex Winters finds out just what’s so important about stories.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Bitesize Story Writing Tips
Creative and narrative writing tips to help you get started on your unwritten masterpiece.