The Merton Big Read, in partnership with Wimbledon Bookfest, is back for its second year. This year’s novel is the internationally acclaimed Brooklyn by Booker Prize-winning author and Irish Laureate, Colm Tóibín.  

Set in 1950s Ireland and America, Brooklyn is a stunning story of love, loss and one woman’s terrible choice between duty and personal freedom. Its universal themes speak across generations and communities to anyone who has had to leave their homes to start a new life. 

The borough-wide reading scheme is open to anyone aged 16+ who lives in Merton and will be running until March 2025. The project aims to bring people together and build community through a shared love of reading.  

Merton Libraries have hundreds of copies of Brooklyn available to borrow across our seven libraries, plus audio and digital formats to help make the Big Read accessible for all. All you need is a library card. 

Big Readers are encouraged to read the book to connect with others, take part in discussions, join book clubs and even set up events. Visit your library and speak to one of our staff about how you would like to get involved. Over the next year, Merton Libraries will run Big Read events including film screenings, discussion groups, a special author talk with Tóibín and more.

This initiative is part of Merton’s National Portfolio Organisation funding from Arts Council England, which will see Merton Libraries deliver  an exciting year-long programme packed full of cultural events and activities by professional commissioned artists. 

A spokesperson for Merton Council said,  

“We are delighted that Merton Libraries has been granted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status from Arts Council England, helping us deliver high quality arts over the next three years with a £357,000 investment in cultural opportunities across the borough. 

“This funding enables us to build on our programme of cultural events, commission local artists, and work with communities to deliver a rich cultural offering to Merton. We would encourage everybody to get involved with Merton’s Big Read and enjoy this fantastic book.” 

Visit: wimbledonbookfest.org to find out more and to register for a chance to win a signed copy of Colm’s long-awaited sequel to Brooklyn, Long Island.

Find out more about our NPO funded programme at merton.gov.uk/NPO