Reading & Libraries
A Haunted Landscape: an illustrated talk by local writer Martin Jones on classic horror author M.R. James
Retford Library
Indulge your book loving sensibilities with our range of fascinating features on all things reading-related. From articles and interviews, to recommendations and author videos, you'll find something of interest whatever your literary taste. We'll be updating this page regularly, so do check back for more.
FEATURES 13/04/2021
Short and Sweet
Could short stories be the perfect read for these times? Inspire’s Ann Penn takes a look at the form and shares a range of bite-sized recommendations to consume in one sitting. . .
FEATURES 13/04/2021
Five Leaves Bookshop’s online event programme funded by Arts Council England
Five Leaves, Nottingham’s independent city centre bookshop, was delighted earlier this year to receive National Lottery funding from Arts Council England for our programme of five online event series in 2021. Find out what's on at Five Leaves. . .
Click here to read the article about Five Leaves online events
FEATURES 09/02/2021
Happily Ever After
Happy marriages most certainly exist. But do they make good stories? In this article, Clare Brown from the Reading and Culture team explores how literature treats couples once the knot is tied.
FEATURES 09/02/2021
Love in all its forms: LGBTQ+ Books
We explore some LGBTQ+ classics and more recent titles available in our libraries. . .
FEATURES 12/2020
Books in Cold Climates
Isn’t there something about books set in a cold climate that gives them a special quality? And especially so when they’re read in the warmth by the fire while it’s cold outside in the real world.
We take a look at how cold climes can make for great books, and offer some fireside winter reading inspiration . . .
RECOMMENDATIONS 12/2020
Cold Climate Recommendations
Find the joy of snuggling up with the right book and make the most of the winter months. Borrow a book from our Cold Climate Pinterest board specially curated by our librarians.
FEATURES 12/2020
Book Talk with Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier talks with us about her latest novel A Single Thread. Find out what she has to say about the writer’s craft, her love of cathedrals and more.
FEATURES 12/2020
Book Talk with T.M. Logan
We catch up with the bestselling author behind thrillers including The Catch .
FEATURES 12/2020
Q&A with Tracy Chevalier
Novelist Tracy Chevalier shares the books which have inspired, amused and surprised her.
FEATURES 12/2020
Our Top Reads of 2020
From children's books and bestselling thrillers to poetry collections, romantic stories and Sci-Fi gems. Find out all about the best-loved titles read by our staff during 2020.
FEATURES 10/2020
Autumn Reading
Ah, Autumn. Season of mists and . . . wonderful books! As the nights draw in, we take a look at why the autumn months are the perfect time for some serious book indulgence . . .
FEATURES 10/2020
Dia de Muertos
Inspire's Michelle Osorio shares her insight into Mexican culture's very different attitude to death and how it permeates into literature...
INTERVIEWS 10/2020
Inspire <VIRTUAL> Poetry Festival Book Talk Special
Hear Nottingham's own Manjit Sahota talk about his poetry and activism. Plus, founder of the Emma Press, Emma Wright, tells us how she set up her successful Birmingham-based independent press.
NEW WORK 10/2020
AGM - Poem: LET US DREAM
A poetical celebration of our libraries by Panya Banjoko.
RECOMMENDATIONS 10/2020
Your Next Good Read: Autumn
Our Librarians select some of the season's best literary offerings.
BOOK CLUB 08/2020
Inspire Online Book Club: Update!
Download the latest Book Club choice and watch our latest Zoom chats.
RECOMMENDATIONS 10/2020
Gothic Reads
Our selection of atmospheric reads - perfect for the darker season . . .
FEATURES 08/2020
Armchair Travel
Travel to exotic and fascinating lands - without leaving your armchair - with our round up of great travel reads on eAudiobook.
Features 08/2020
Book Talk with Leanne Moden
Poet and performer Leanne Moden talks to us about creativity in lockdown, word hugs and launching her new collection.
Watch Leanne's Book Talk interview
/reading-information/reading/features/book-talk/
FEATURES 08/2020
Booker Prize 2020
Explore the wonderfully eclectic longlist for this year's Booker Prize.
FEATURES 22/06/2020
Reading Groups in Lockdown
How have reading groups been adapting to isolation? We take a look at the options open to us, and invite our reading groups to tell us about their own lockdown experiences.
Books Q&A 22/06/2020
Mike Gayle
We pose our bookish Q&A to bestselling author Mike Gayle. Mike's novels includeThe Man I Think I Know and Half a World Away. Find out which books have surprised him, made him cry and more . . .
Features 25/06/2020
The Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
Find out about the shortlisted titles for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction.
Find out more about the Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
/reading-information/reading/features/womens-prize-fiction-25th-anniversary-shortlist/
Books Q&A 22/06/2020
Pete Ramskill
Poet Pete Ramskill tells us about the books that have inspired him, sent his mind racing, and the poets who make him cry.
Recommendations 25/06/2020
Black Voices
Explore our Pinterest board of eBook and eAudiobook titles, covering race, racism and Black lives.
Explore the Black Voices books
/reading-information/reading-recommendations/equality-diversity/black-voices/
Recommendations 25/06/2020
Refugee Stories
National Refugee Week took place 15 - 21 June this year. Explore a range of free to borrow digital titles on the them. Featuring stories of courage, heartbreak, injustice and the importance of sanctuary, from around the world.
Explore tour Refugee Stories recommendations
/reading-information/reading-recommendations/equality-diversity/refugee-stories/
FEATURES 20/05/2020
Book Talk - Crime Fiction Special
Three major crime writers talk to Librarian Chris Jones via video.
BOOKS Q&A 20/05/2020
Books Q&A: Crime Reading Special
In celebration of crime fiction, we pose our Bookish Q&A to four brilliant crime writers.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-crime-writers/
RECOMMENDATIONS 20/05/2020
Crime Reading Picks
Our selection of the best crime digital eAudiobooks ready to be enjoyed now.
FEATURES 04/05/2020
The Books That Shaped Our World
TM Logan and Henderson Mullin each tell us about a significant book and the way it has shaped their lives. Part of our ongoing tie-in with the BBC Arts celebration of the English language novel's 300th anniversary,.
Watch the Books That Shaped Our World videos
BOOKS Q&A 04/05/2020
Milly Johnson
Bestselling and award-winning author Milly Johnson answers our bookish Q&A.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-milly-johnson/
FEATURES 01/05/2020
eAudiobooks - picks of the month
With thousands of digital audiobooks available to listen for free via Inspire, it can be hard to choose. We've highlighted some of the best treats available for multiple users now (so no queues!).
BOOKS Q&A 06/05/2020
Cathy Bramley
Bestselling author of romantic fiction Cathy Bramley answers our bookish Q&A.
https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/reading/features/books-q-cathy-bramley/
FEATURES 04/05/2020
Kids, Kestrels and the Kitchen Sink
Writer Andrew Graves looks at two examples of working class literature that became cinematic gold.
FEATURES 04/05/2020
Life in Lockdown: Five Leaves Bookshop
A look at how Nottingham’s much-loved independent bookshop is adapting.
BOOKS Q&A 04/05/2020
Henderson Mullin
We pose our bookish questions to the Chief Executive of Writing East Midlands.
