World Book Day: hunt is one to find Exeter’s favourite book
Published: 7 March 2024
The hunt is on to find Exeter’s favourite book in a new initiative launched on World Book Day.
Over 1,000 years ago, the Exeter Book was written down by a single scribe in a city that valued the power of words.
The city has gone back to its literary roots to find Exeter’s favourite book in its fifth year as a UNESCO-designated City of Literature.
The Exeter City of Literature charity has launched a city-wide initiative, City Reads, to find Exeter’s favourite fiction book.
Organisations such as Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Exeter City Football Club Museum, and CoLab will nominate their favourite books, which will form the shortlist for the public vote that will take place between June and September.
Exeter’s favourite book will be announced on International Literacy Day on Sunday, 8 September, at a large event alongside book giveaways and author readings.
The city was awarded the prestigious UNESCO-designated City of Literature designation in 2019 thanks to its significant history of reading and literacy dating back over 1,000 years. With one of the most popular libraries in the country and over 30 independent bookshops across Devon, Exeter is undoubtedly a city of readers.
Exeter City of Literature, the charity created in 2021 to steward the UNESCO designation, wants to celebrate Exeter as a place for book lovers while delivering greater access to books and making reading fun all across the city.
Renowned institutions and beloved community groups in Exeter will involve their staff and stakeholders in nominating their favourite fiction books throughout the spring, which will be shared across Exeter City of Literature’s social media.
The public vote will be launched at Exeter City of Literature’s fourth annual Book Market on Sunday, 9 June, with a special voting booth.
During the public voting period, there will be voting boxes throughout the city as well as online voting. Exeter City of Literature and business sponsors will also run competitions and giveaways and provide free books to low-literacy neighbourhoods.
The public vote will close on Friday, 2 August, and City Reads will culminate in a special event on Sunday 8 September, International Literacy Day, to announce Exeter’s favourite book.
Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature, said: “From the Exeter Book to Exeter’s favourite book, this city has always treasured reading.
“We want to celebrate that with a year of reading for pleasure, book giveaways, and light-hearted debate over what our favourite books are. We want City Reads to unite the city behind the joy of reading, no matter the book.”
James Urquhart, Interim Director, Literature of Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to support Exeter UNESCO City of Literature in its quest to discover Exeter’s favourite book.
“Reading for pleasure is hugely valued by the Arts Council for all the joy, excitement and empathy that great stories deliver as well as the boost that reading can give to mental wellbeing.
“It’s wonderful to see this vibrant programme connecting people with books across the year and celebrating reading throughout the city and beyond.”