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| Lawrence, Dahl and Christie - this week's birthday authors! |
It's a big week for literary anniversaries with the birthdays of three of the UK's most popular writers of the Twentieth century happening this week. Between them, I'd guess, that most people have read at least a book from one of this triumvirate. From Eastwood's scribbler of mucky books, to the queen of the crime thriller, to the children's' laureate of invention who gave us chocolate factories, giant peaches and marvellous medicines, these writers have given such enjoyment through their books and stories.
Monday saw the 132nd birthday of DH Lawrence, who was born 11th September 1885. 11th September was also the second and final time which Lawrence left his Taos ranch in 1925. I'll be visiting Taos as part of my trip when in New Mexico and am hugely looking forward to following the footsteps of one of Nottinghamshire's most celebrated authors and someone who has played such a key role in our become a UNESCO City of Literature, alongside our other rebel writers like Sillitoe and Byron.
Tomorrow (although probably today when you're reading this as I'm posting late on Tuesday night), is Roald Dahl's 101st birthday, born 13th September 1916. This year, Nottingham Railway Station will play host to an amazing Lego sculpture, one of just 6 in the country, of one of Dahl's timeless characters. Nottingham has the great honour of being the home of George from the fantastic George's Marvellous Medicine, although there may be a few Nottingham nanas questioning any fluids given to them by their grandchildren over the next month if they have been a little too inspired.
Finally, on Friday, is the 127th birthday of Agatha Christie - still the undoubted queen of the who-dunnit! - who was born on 15th September 1890. Her books have fans young and old (Cait, my partner, is obsessed with them currently and keeps buying second hand copies in every bookshop we visit) as she continues to be one of the most widely read authors in history.
Whilst these authors may differ quite widely in genre, though Dahl's novels for adults do owe more than a debt to Christie, they have perhaps inspired readers from different backgrounds, ages and abilities and I hope that they continue to do so. Over the last week I've spoken to loads of people - from members of Nottingham City's library service to local councillors, reading charity volunteers to heads of education establishments and the response is always the same when we talk about the joy reading can bring and the need to engender a love of reading in every person in Nottingham. This is something that I hope, over the next few years, as I reflect and try to deliver on the things learnt on my scholarship, will be achieved more widely in the city and county - to give every child the gift of being able to enjoy curling up with a good book.