Alexander McCall Smith

With the exciting news that Alexander McCall Smith is to be one of the guest speakers at this year’s Manx Litfest, Onchan Book Group decided to choose a book of your own choice by this popular author for this month’s read.

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. His various series of books have been translated into forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world. These include the popular 44 Scotland Street novels, first published as a serial novel in the Scotsman newspaper and now the longest-running serial novel in the world; the Isabel Dalhousie novels, and the Corduroy Mansions  series.

He became a household name with The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, which  was a hit TV series. His stand-alone novels, include The Forever Girls, Trains & Lovers,  Fatty O’Leary’s Dinner Party and Emma—a reworking of the classic Jane Austen novel. He has also written over 30 children’s books.

McCall Smith has been described as:

 "more of a movement, a worldwide club for the dissemination of gentle wisdom and good cheer."

Cath

Manx Litfest 2016 - George Bellairs: Murder Most Manx

Harvey Briggs Onchan Library are looking forward to hosting an event for Manx Litfest next month - 

George Bellairs: Murder Most Manx with Andy Wint. It's going to be held on Wed 28th Sept at 7.30 pm. Although admission is free, you will need to contact the library to reserve places Tel: 621228 or email onchan.library@onchan.org.im

Onchan Book Group are getting clued up on these classic mysteries ahead of the event, and reading a George Bellairs of their own choice this month. Quite a few were set in the Isle of Man in the 50s and 60s, so they're a great nostalgia trip, with the vintage book jackets and details all adding to the charm!

British Library Crime Classics

George Bellairs is being reprinted in the hugely popular British Library Crime Classics series

Manx Litfest 2015 is nearly here!

 Island book lovers look forward to this event each year, which will run from 22nd - 27th September. 

As usual, you will be spoiled for choice - take a look at their full programme on manxlitfest.com and keep up with the latest news on their facebook page.

A highlight of special interest for book groups is Andy Miller - READ Y’SELF FITTER, which aims to cure you of your bad reading habits and asks the audience to think about whether it's better to spend time at the gym or the library? And is Moby-Dick really a better book than The Da Vinci Code? Andy Miller is the author of 'The Year of Reading Dangerously'. Places are limited to 30 for this event at The Bath and Bottle on Sat 26th Sept at 1.30 p.m. and tickets can be booked from The Villa &Gaiety Box Office.

Book Fanatics Quiz Night

The Book Fanatics Quiz Night will be on Thurs 24th September at The Noa Bakehouse at 8 p.m. We're looking to put together an Onchan Bookgroup or library team, so please contact us if you're interested. It's a fun evening and all welcome! Once again, tickets can be booked at The Villa & Gaiety Box Office.

Tickets On Sale For Manx Litfest 2014

Onchan Book Group members and everyone who’s been asking us about Manx Litfest 2014 will be pleased to hear that tickets for the main events are now on sale from the what’s on section of The Isle of Man Villa Gaiety website 

Photograph from Manx National Heritage

Once again, the festival celebrates the sense of place here on the Island as well as the written word. 

A ghostly walk and talk around Castle Rushen with Neil Spring, author of ‘Ghost Hunters’ and Barry Quilliam of Manx Macabre Tours on Fri 26th Sept couldn’t be more atmospheric. 

Neil Spring’s book drew inspiration from ‘Borland Rectory’, reputedly the most haunted house in Britain, which attracted the attention of psychic investigator Harry Price. 

Image from neilspring.com

Harry Price visited The Isle of Man in the 1930s to investigate the mysterious case of ‘The Dalby Spook’ or Talking Mongoose. 

There’s a rare opportunity to hear Neil Spring talk about these intriguing events in the historic setting of St Bridget’s Chapel in The Nunnery on Sat 27th Sept. 

A ‘Criminal Double Act’ takes place on Sat 27th Sept in The Embassy Room at The British on The Quay with Mark Billingham and Martyn Waites, who also writes with his wife under the name of Tania Carver. 

Image from Random House

Litfest is crammed full of exciting events from the Poetry Slam at Jabberwocky on Wed 24th right through to an evening with ‘Bone Season’ author Samatha Shannon at Noa’s Bakehouse on Sunday 28 Sept. 

Sara Crowe was at Manx Litfest in 2012, and has just published the highly acclaimed ‘Bone Jack’. She’s on a panel to talk about The Celtic Influence on writing with Donald S Murray at The House of Manannan in Peel on Sun 28th Sept.



Litfest has something for book lovers of all ages all around the Island to look forward to this September. Don’t miss some family fun with ‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Show’ on just up the road at Bemahague School in Onchan on Sun 28 Sept. 

There's much much more besides - don't forget the Book Fanatics Quiz Night on Thurs 25th Sept. 

You can pick up a programme form the library now to find out more. Keep looking on ManxLitfest for all the latest news, like them on facebook, or follow them on Twitter.