Book Week NI

Books, library memories and 'must read' recommendations for Book Week 2025. Guests include: Anna Curran, Mark Simpson, Father Brian D'Arcy, Suzie Lee, Gareth Gordon, Jayne McCormack, Jonny Murphy, Louise Cullen, Ali Totten, William Crawley and Cee Daly.

We’ve created some downloadable Book Week resources for children and young people (and the young at heart!) - allowing you to create your own Book Week 2025 posters, bunting and bookmarks. Get creative!

Our Book Week 2025 photo gallery includes some of the people involved with the Book Week busyness so far, including author Rónán Hession, the BBC’s Director-General and lots of familiar faces from BBC television and radio…

A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2025.

An animated version of Robert Henryson’s Five Fables, based on Seamus Heaney’s acclaimed translation. It’s narrated by Billy Connolly with original music by Barry Douglas. A television classic with enduring appeal.

Book Week is a joint initiative with Libraries NI. Find out what's happening in its libraries, upcoming author interviews and events and how to get involved.

Some recommended reads from across the BBC...including Director-General Tim Davie, Sarah Brett, Adam Smyth, Eve Rosato and David Maxwell.

Bus and train passengers urged to get on board for book week.

On the 75th anniversary of the iconic comic strip Peanuts, psychoanalyst and author Josh Cohen shares how Charlie Brown and the Snoopy gang have become his constant companions—and how they can help us navigate the frustrating squiggle of life.

500 Words is a story competition for children. It's all about creativity and fun. And there are lots of prizes to win as well.

Books recommended by our Book Week 2025 contributors

When Kevin Met Sadie: Chris Page first read Joan Lingard’s Kevin and Sadie novels as a boy. He hears from readers in Northern Ireland about how the stories have shaped their understanding of the past.

Sara Cox celebrates the best in new fiction, with author interviews and listener reviews from across the UK.

In a series of original essays, Katherine Rundell explores the world of children’s fiction in a journey that reveals its fundamental importance to all of us.

Poetry Extra has just celebrated its 10th birthday. It features poems and poets from the BBC’s archives and is presented by Dalit Nagra. Poetry Extra’s birthday programme included Paul Muldoon and Catherine Heaney.

James Crawford invites well-known authors to talk about their latest book and to select three other texts that have influenced their writing. Contributors include Wendy Erskine, John Banville, Andrew O’Hagan and Eoin MacNamee.

Adam Nicolson's story of the popular British garden, started in 1932 by grandparents Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson.

Favourite books, library memories and 'must read' recommendations for Book Week 2024. Guests include: Sara Girvin, John Toal, Thomas Niblock, Wendy Erskine, Niamh McNally, and more to come! And we've got a special reading of Bookshops by Michael Longley.

Our Book Week 2024 Ambassadors include Ministers from across the Executive and other well-known people in public life.

As part of Book Week 2020, we asked the Ulster Orchestra to perform a selection of music inspired by books. This performance includes some well-known tv themes, including Jackanory and Katie Morag. It was recorded in Belfast Central Library.

Conversations with brilliant writers from around the world. Fascinating insights and lots of new books to discover from the BBC World Service.

Sara Cox and guests enjoy lively conversations about book recommendations.

Writers and other well-known people choose their favourite books, with Harriett Gilbert.

BBC Radio 4's programme about all things book-related, including new publications, author interviews and lost classics.

BBC News went to Saintfield Library for a visit from the 'Library Cat' - and spoke with Libraries NI area manager, Patricia Curran.

Writer Hanif Kureishi talks with John Wilson about the experiences and influences that have shaped his career.

A wonderful, weekly journey of discovery, weaving together a range of music with poetry and prose read by leading actors. Each programme has a different theme.

Some photos from Book Week 2024

An anthology of book recommendations for 2023 from guests including Carl Frampton, Petroc Trelawny, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, Jarlath Burns, and Elaine McGee and Mark Patterson.

A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: Diona Doherty, Holly Hamilton, Diarmuid Gavin, Dave Elliott and Lindsay Allen.

A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: BBCNI's Tara Mills and Declan Harvey, Tricia and Cara Mailey and comedians Tim McGarry and David Hume.

A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: comedian Paddy Raff, author Jan Carson, BBCNI's Marie-Louise Connolly and the BBC's Director-General Tim Davie.

A collection of short interviews in which our guests talk about their reading memories and recommendations. Those taking part include: journalist Eamonn Mallie, writer Glenn Patterson and BBC presenter Gemma Bradley.

A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2023.

Seamus Heaney was an accomplished broadcaster who presented many programmes for the BBC. This piece brings together a selection of his films for BBC television.

Looking back on one hundred years of poetry on the BBC, including an introduction from the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Head over to the Blue Peter Book Club for even more amazing stories and tons of exciting activities, quizzes, and cool challenges!

The Queen’s Reading Room is a charity that promotes the appreciation of literature – seeking to help more people find and connect with books. Its website includes book recommendations, author interviews and much more besides.

A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2022.

Mark Simpson and Holly Hamilton eavesdrop on some conversations about books, reading and libraries for Book Week 2022. Fun filled conversation in great company and with plenty of suggestions for books to borrow or re-read during Book Week and beyond.

Damian Barr interviews some of the biggest names in fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Michael Mosely explores the health benefits of reading fiction for half an hour each day. He finds out how taking time with a book can reduce stress, tackle depression and why it may even help you live longer. A programme on ‘shelf-improvement'...

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history.

William Sieghart, the founder of the Forward Prizes for poetry and National Poetry Day, talks to Michael Berkeley about the music and poetry he loves.

This short film explores the benefits of reading and the effects of screen time. Prepare to be surprised!

A small selection of photos about Book Week NI 2023.

A selection of photos about activities and events as part of Book Week 2022, including from our Read All About It! recordings, A Box of Delights and Love Your Library Day.

A regularly updated selection of photos about people and events during Book Week.

A selection of interviews, features and reports about Book Week 2021. Those taking part include Stig Abell, William Sieghart, Adam Beales and members of 'The Camilla Club'.

This short film explores how some books have changed how we think about our world. A thought-provoking selection – and maybe some new reading ideas!

The impact of war, violence and struggle unite these choices.

Creative and narrative writing tips to help you get started on your unwritten masterpiece.

From a story of friendship and a much-anticipated Tudor tale to the latest novel by Elena Ferrante, here are some reading ideas.