大象传媒

Television

On 大象传媒 Two, Saturday nights will be Books Nights for three weeks, with a host of programming celebrating authors, reading and much more.

How did a 15-year-old dropout from a working-class suburb of Liverpool became one of the most successful playwrights in the history of modern British theatre?

When Julie Walters Met Willy Russell

is a warm and witty portrayal of the life of Adrian Mole's creator, narrated by Julie Walters. Stephen Mangan, Ian Hislop and Isy Suttie join Sue’s friends, family and members of her beloved community in Leicester to tell her extraordinary story.

Immediately afterwards on the evening of Saturday 15 October, Artsnight presents an unforgettable Liverpool reunion in . Walters talks to Russell to find out how a 15-year-old dropout from a working-class suburb of Liverpool became one of the most successful playwrights in the history of modern British theatre.

Artsnight unites two travel writers in . Originally born as James Morris, Jan shot to fame as part of the team that successfully climbed Mount Everest in 1953. In the 1960s, she turned her attention to writing books about cities and countries, before undergoing gender reassignment in 1972. Veteran broadcaster Michael Palin met Jan to find out the secret to her long and happy life.

The School that got Teens Reading follows the efforts of Ripley School in Lancashire as it tries to get reluctant pupils to pick up the reading habit. The school enlists actor and comedian Javone Prince to shake things up a bit, so life in school starts to change.

In , Andrew Marr deconstructs detective fiction, fantasy epics and spy novels - the books we really read. He unpicks their conventions to show how these books keep us turning the page.

The arts strand profiles charismatic author Marlon James, the first Jamaican writer to win the Man Booker prize for his magisterial novel .

Books that Made Britain is identifying the books that have defined different parts of the UK, and listen out for these being discussed on local radio networks. Highlights include on five books set in Cornwall, Gemma Cairney in , of his native London and Viz founder on books that capture the spirit of the north east.

reveals the nation’s top ten favourite Scottish novels after a public vote, and some well known Scottish celebrities recommend their best Scottish reads.

There is a welcome repeat for Great Scots, Andrew Marr's series on the .

Radio

Mariella Frostrup, Simon Mayo, Harriett Gilbert and James Naughtie lead the campaign on radio.

On Radio 2, Mayo will be talking to bestselling authors Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, Jilly Cooper and Ian Rankin about the books they couldn’t live without. Just one of the many highlights on local and national radio sees Simon Mayo open up the writer's room on Radio 2 every Wednesday to delve deeper into the minds of four top authors.

A wealth of programming on Radio 3 and Radio 4 includes a new series within Open Book featuring Margaret Atwood and Naomi Alderman, plus special editions of Radio 4 Bookclub, A Good Read, Front Row, Free Thinking, The Essay and Radio 3 Breakfast.

On 6Music, Lauren Laverne will be broadcasting from Rochdale library and during half-term Steve Lamacq will be joined by children’s authors. A new series of Paperback Writers will feature Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, Zadie Smith and Irvine Welsh.

#LovetoRead weekend 5-6 November

The #LovetoRead weekend takes place on 5 and 6 November. Across TV, radio and online we'll encourage everyone to put aside some time and curl up with a book. 大象传媒 presenters will be signing off with reading recommendations for everyone. Highlights include:

• James Naughtie’s favourite book is up for discussion in a Radio Four Bookclub special.

• And Harriet Gilbert will be talking about her favourite book for World Service Bookclub.

• 4Xtra hosts a #LovetoRead special on James Naughtie’s favourite adaptations and readings.

• Authors will be dropping in to programmes over the weekend, such as Radio Four’s Broadcasting House with author Chibundu Onuzo.

• Local radio presenters will present readings and events in local libraries.

• The British Library are kicking off the #LovetoRead weekend, with presenter and author highlighting the books that have changed her life.

• The British Library will be hosting an event on 5 November with well-known sharing their recommendations for good reads. The panel includes Chris Riddell, Meg Rosoff, Charlie Higson and Bali Rai.

Why #LovetoRead?

Reading for pleasure is more important to children’s development than education or social class, according to The Reading Agency.

Authors and books have always been at the heart of the 大象传媒 but our pledge to book lovers is to push reading even higher up the agenda, to include more people and inspire a new generation, to let everyone have a say on the books that matter most to them.

The #LovetoRead campaign aims to inspire audiences with programmes about great authors and their work, nationally, regionally and locally. Our radio stations have launched book clubs in partnership with local libraries and in October and November you'll see a nationwide social media campaign to share book recommendations.

Over the summer the season celebrated children’s books on the 大象传媒, at the heart of which was programming to mark Roald Dahl 100 - the centenary of one of our most famous children’s authors.

No other broadcaster celebrates authors or encourages reading like the 大象传媒. With so many of our services committed to books, we want to make it easier for audiences to find what they want. 大象传媒 Arts has enhanced its , bringing audiences the best of what we do.

Happy reading.