Perth librarian thanks publishers for supporting book group

A Perth librarian has issued a heartfelt thanks to publishers who have supported an innovative virtual book club.

Elaine Blair, from the city’s AK Bell Library, set up the club, whose members are spread across Perth and Kinross.

Members read one book per month and then share their feedback online via social media.

So far, the virtual book group has read three titles – A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone, Foretold by Thunder by Ed Davey and The Solitary Woman of Shakespeare by James Terry – and members are now on their fourth book, John McPake and the Sea Beggars by Stuart Campbell.

Publishers supporting the group include Orenda, Duckworth Publishers, Sandstone Press Ltd, Quartet Books and Polygon Books.

Ms Blair said book groups are extremely popular in Perth and Kinross, with around 80 meeting up regularly to discuss their chosen titles.

“It’s a big ask to get 10 brand new copies per month for the group, so I just wanted to say an enormous thank you to all the publishers who have supported the project,” she said.

“For smaller publishers, it’s a great way to raise the profile of debut authors, and we are hoping to encourage other publishing houses to get on board.

“The good news is that once the virtual book group has finished reading these titles, they will go back into the book group stock, ready to be loaned out to other book groups throughout the region.”

Book groups can have as few as three members, with no upper limit. For information email LibraryBookGroups@culturepk.org.uk.