City Reads
From March to May, Exeter City of Literature will be working with organisations & businesses across Exeter to create a definitive short list of the city’s favourite books.
A public vote will then open in June at The Book Market to decide Exeter’s favourite book!
Join Exeter UNESCO City of Literature as we set out to discover Exeter's favourite books!
On Thursday 7th March - World Book Day - we launched a city-wide initiative, City Reads, to find Exeter’s favourite fiction book.
We want to celebrate Exeter as a place for book lovers while delivering greater access to books and making reading fun all across the city. Throughout City Reads, we’ll be running competitions & giveaways, as well as providing free books to low-literacy neighbourhoods.
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, 8th September 2024, at a large event alongside book giveaways and author readings.
Organisations Taking Part in City Reads
How does it work?
Between Thursday 7th March 2024 - World Book Day - and Friday 24th May, organisations will be invited to nominate their favourite novel. From community groups to large businesses, we want to know what the people of Exeter love to read. We'll send you an info pack with some handy tips on how to get your communities involved and how to submit your final choice to us.
Each participating group’s final choice will be shared across the city before a shortlist is selected for a public vote. Between Sunday 9th June (the day of our annual Book Market on the Cathedral Green) and Friday 2nd August, the public will vote on Exeter’s favourite book! This will culminate in a special event on Sunday 8th September 2024 - International Literacy Day!
Exeter has a history of reading and literacy dating back over 1,000 years. From having one of the most popular libraries in the country to the many independent bookshops across Devon, Exeter is truly a city of readers. We want to celebrate Exeter's history as a city of book lovers, deliver greater access to books, and showcase Exeter as a UNESCO City of Literature!
Why are we doing this?
If you'd like your group or organisation to be involved and submit a book for the project, please email Liv Hooper, Public Programmes Manager with the subject line City Reads Expression of Interest.
Want to find out more before committing? Drop Liv an email!