Merton Libraries are all set to celebrate Cityread London this April by hosting a range of London themed events to suit everyone.
This year’s London-wide month-long celebration of literature is based on Sebastian Faulks’ A Week in December, which offers a satirical look at the capital. Cityread London will build on the success of last year’s Cityread when thousands of Londoners rediscovered Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist. With themed events based on Faulks’ critically acclaimed novel and the history of Merton and London taking place across all the borough’s libraries, including transport themed craft sessions, London themed quizzes, a comic book workshop, poetry readings, special themed story time sessions and much more, there is something to suit all age groups and interests. Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre is also hosting two illustrated talks, ‘Wimbledon Football Club: An A-Z’, taking place at Wimbledon Library and ‘From City to Surrey, the story of the London Underground in Merton’, which will be hosted at Morden Library.
Cityread London is designed to promote reading for pleasure, engage new library users and encourage people to explore and celebrate their city’s history. It is a London Libraries initiative that chooses a single book and invites the whole capital to get reading.
Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper said: ‘I intend to start reading A Week in December as soon as I can in preparation for Cityread London 2013. I’m really looking forward to the range of events taking place in Merton and across London as part of this city-wide reading initiative. I would encourage everyone to explore their city’s history through reading and come along to events in Merton and across London.’
Author of A Week in December, Sebastian Faulks said: “I’m delighted that A Week in December will be Cityread London’s chosen book for 2013. I began the book with the intention of writing a modern Dickensian novel in which London played a key part so it’s great to be following Dickens himself as the Cityread London selection. I do hope Londoners enjoy reading and discussing the book, and hope that it goes some way towards reflecting the nature of this extraordinary city.”
For further information about Cityread London events taking place in Merton, visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/libraries and for events taking place across London, visit http://www.cityreadlondon.org.uk. Tickets for the ‘From City to Surrey: The Story of the underground in Merton’ talk at Morden Library can be booked through the Heritage and Local Studies Centre on 020 8545 3239.
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