Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, has pledged her support for Book Week NI which is taking place from 16-22 October and is encouraging people across the North West region to connect with their local library and get reading.
Mayor Logue said she was very supportive of any initiative aimed at promoting reading: “Book Week is a great way to celebrate the joy of reading whilst also highlighting the important role local libraries play in the lives of people across our community and in our schools, colleges and universities.
“I would encourage everyone to take the time to sit down and pick up a book – it’s a great way to relax and escape after a busy day. I love to sit and read in the evenings, it’s a chance to unwind and grab a few precious minutes to enjoy a good story.”
As part of her support for Book Week Mayor Logue has recorded a short video for her social media where she outlines her favourite books and encourages others to do the same.
“For Book Week I chose two books that are very special to me, the first is “Strumpet City” a very famous historical novel by James Plunkett that tells the story of the Dublin lockout in the early 1900s.
“It is one of those books that truly reflects the contrasting lives of the urban working class with those living in poverty and accurately depicts the difficult times in Dublin in the years leading up to the First World War.
“Another favourite of mine is a novel by Irish writer Anne Griffin entitled “When All Is Said”, a tender story of an elderly man who sits at a bar stool and raises five toasts to five people who have made the most impact on his life.
“It’s a lovely heartwarming story that has stayed with me and which I regularly recommend to friends.”
Mayor Logue added: “To celebrate Book Week I am encouraging you all to take a trip to your local library and see for yourself the excellent range of books that are available.
“If you have children or grandchildren, then there is nothing better than to encourage them to sit down with a book and allow their imagination to go on a journey.
“Not only is it good for helping them to relax but it creates empathy and gives them a fantastic start to their education as well as their mental health and wellbeing.
“So what are you waiting for? Grab a book, find a cosy spot and let the magic of reading transport you to a new world.”
