National Year of Reading 2008 is a celebration of words and reading. Celebrate with us at a series of special events from April to December.

The Big City Read

The Railway Children by E Nesbit has all the ingredients you want in a classic book - trains, children, landslides, adventure and big red knickers!

That's why we've chosen it as this year's Big City Read.

The Big City Read takes one wonderful book and encourages hundreds of people across York to read it.

York Libraries have been busy giving away 2,000 free copies of The Railway Children throughout July. You might have caught us at venues across the city including St Sampsons Square, York City Football Club and Rowntree Park. If you've missed out on receiving a free copy, don't worry - there are plenty of copies to borrow from the libraries, and they are free to borrow and free to request.

Once you've read the book you can share the experience with everyone else by watching film adaptations, taking part in workshops or by sending us your review of the book. Download the brochure for more details about events.

A month by month look at the National Year of Reading

Each month the National Year of Reading focuses on a different theme.  Look out for displays and events tied into these themes:

• April: Read all about it!
  The National Year of Reading kicks off with a campaign inviting everybody to become a library member. There is a special open day at York Library on Sunday 27th April to welcome members new and old. This month we are promoting all types of reading - reading anything and everywhere.
• May: Mind and Body
  This month we're focussing on the health benefits of reading. It’s also Local History Month, so look out for special taster sessions where you can uncover your family tree, or discover the history of your local area.
• June: Reading escapes
  Discover how reading can take you to another world. Why not lie back and relax with a good book this summer, perhaps one of Richard and Judy’s Summer Reads.
• July: Rhythm and Rhyme
  This month sees us focussing on poems and lyrics. All of our under 5s storytimes this month will be special 'rhyme-time' sessions. Also this month, get involved in the Big City Read and the Learning Festival.
• August: Read the Game
  In August the National Year of Reading focusses on the links between reading and sport. This year’s Summer Reading Challenge, the ‘team read’, includes lots of fun sporting activities for 4 to 12s.
• September: You are what you read
  Celebrate your cultural, personal and local identity with what you read this month. As the Festival of Food and Drink takes place, what does what you eat say about you?
• October: Word of Mouth
  As the nights draw in we'll be celebrating storytelling, reading out loud, reading together and live literature. Also this month why not get involved in the York Lesbian Arts Festival, Black History Month and National Poetry Day?
• November: Screen reads
  In November we'll be focussing on the links between reading and film and television.
• December: Write the future
  The National Year of Reading ends with a look at the future of reading and writing. Are new technologies, like texting and blogging, bringing readers and writers closer together?