LINCOLNSHIRE CRIME WRITING MONTH EVENTS

I've added a couple more events this week for National Crime Writing Month. This brings my total of libraries visited up to 20 (plus the castle, the story-telling tent and several bookshops).

I'll be in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, on Wednesday 19th June for a full day of events. I don't get to do much in Lincolnshire, so don't miss it!

10am - North Lincolnshire Central Library, Carlton Street, Scunthorpe DN15 6TX - I'll be presenting certificates to participants in North Lincolnshire's Six Book Challenge.

11am - North Lincolnshire Central Library - 'drop in' for a chat and a cup of tea with the author!

2pm - Ashby Library, Ashby High Street, Scunthorpe DN16 2RY - talk to readers, with Q&A and book signing. FREE event, no tickets required. Phone 01724 296832 or email: library.enquiries@northlincs.gov.uk

SCORING A GOAL FOR LITERACY

In the UK, Premier League footballers have been chosen as role models to encourage children to read more books. The decision coincides with a study by the National Literacy Trust, which reveals that boys are twice as likely as girls to say sports people can inspire them to read, and that children from the poorest families are also likely to chose sports people as their heroes.

So the 20 Premiership clubs have each nominated a player as a "reading star". Eight out of the 20 clubs selected their goalkeeper as the best role model. 

Now, those 20 players have been asked to name a favourite book, and the results are very interesting. The choices range from Homer's 'Iliad' to 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'. 

British readers familiar with our current crop of England players might have no trouble guessing which of them aspires no further than the first Harry Potter book. But who chose Homer?

Read the full story in The Independent