Travelling Suitcase Library

Reading is proven to improve mental health, heck reading probably improves your disgestion that's how good for you it is. Trying to make people happy is a big thing for the Travelling Suitcase Library and that's why I'm really pleased to help promote Leeds Libraries #heartywords project, that aims to share those books that make your heart sing around Leeds.

Leeds Libraries and Love Arts Festival are starting a conversation to unearth the books that mean the most to people in Leeds. They are inviting you to thinkabout which reads have uplifted, soothed, inspired, challenged or moved you and to talk about them.

One of the best bits about a book swap is the talking (and often laughter) that goes with it. We would love to know what makes specific books special toyou and why you would share them with someone else.

To get involved,  join the debate on Twitter #heartywords, post your thoughts on the Leeds Libraries  Facebook Page  www.facebook.com/leedslibraries and look out for special postcards in libraries, on mobile libraries and at Love Arts festival events.

The industrious librarians will be collecting your choice of book (and it can be any genre, any type) and creating a longlist in November to see whether people share some of the same choices. In December, they will shortlist and produce book displays with copies in library branches across the city. Visit your local library to see if your book is included.

My personal books that always cheer me up I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith and Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. I'm looking forward to finding out everyone elses.

The Travelling Suitcase Library Presents...

The Guilty Pleasure Book Swap
Dock Street Market, Dock Street
Wednesday 29 August 6-8 pm ish
NO "proper" BOOKS ALLOWED*

JACKIE COLLINS, BABYSITTER'S CLUB, POINT HORROR, ANDY MCGUNS, SWEET VALLEY HIGH, CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE, SCI-FI NONSENCE, MISERYOGRAPHIES, CELEB BOLLOCKS, DRAGONS!, ETC ETC ETC

• Beats ‘n’ Books with @Decknologist and his ‘wax’
• ‘Worst Cover’ competition-bring your favourite ‘worst’ sci-fi, fantasy or romance cover and win CAKE
• Meet other lovers of good old fashioned trash in a non-judgemental, social space!
T: @BookElfLeeds or E: bookelfleeds@gmail.com for more info

*“But Jess, surely by using this phrase you are further perpetrating the myth that there is a divide between what it literary and what is read for pleasure, further othering reading as an acceptable social activity, playing into the hands of the snobbish elite that want to create a “literarti” that only serves the few”. Yeah, probably. Come to the book swap.

On Saturday 20 October I am extremely chuffed to announce I will be hosting a 'Recommended Reads' session at the Ryedale Book Festival, in Malton.

The aim of the session is to talk about a range of books that I love, from Cold Comfort Farm to Game of Thrones, and encourage others to talk about their favourite books, in an open, safe and non-judgemental environment.

Although reading as a hobby is bigger than ever, there are book clubs galore and Lit Fests popping up all over the shop, talking about the books you love, rather than the books you've been told to read, can be quite a scary experience-what if no one else likes it? What if you say the wrong thing?

This workshop will try to end your fears! There are no 'wrong' books, and if you just want to come along and learn a bit more about why reading is so important, and gain some inspiration from others then you can!

The workshop is from 2 pm and is held in the Milton Rooms. Tickets will be available from the 1 September, you can find more information by ringing the Malton Tourist Information Centre on 01653 600 048. Or find more information by visiting www.ryedalebookfestival.com

In a recent article in the Yorkshire Evening Post, it says I work at Keighley College. I have to say that I don't work at Keighley College, I work at Leeds City College, Keighley Campus.

Sorry about any confusion!

Jess