Bus and train passengers urged to get on board for book week

Ali Totten and Cecilia Daly have offered reading suggestions

Bus and train passengers are being encouraged to read or listen to more books on their journeys in Northern Ireland.

Many people scroll through social media on their smartphone while on public transport rather than read a book or a newspaper.

Translink are encouraging people to get on board with Book Week NI, run by BBC Northern Ireland and Libraries NI.

A number of well-known broadcasters, including Father Brian D'Arcy, Suzi Lee and William Crawley, have shared book recommendations.

Weather presenters Cecilia Daly and Ali Totten have also offered suggestions about what to read.

It is the 10th year of the initiative which celebrates books, reading and libraries.

Translink's chief people officer, Jacqui Kennedy, said reading is good for wellbeing and stress relief.

"Your travel is an ideal opportunity to take the time to read or to listen to an audio book," she said.

"Pick up a book, read a few pages and get back into that enjoyment of reading."

BBC Head of corporate affairs Mark Adair, Julie Reid and Conor McKee from Libraries NI and Jacqueline Kennedy from Translink launch Bookweek

Mobile library

A mobile library will be available at Translink's North West Transport Hub and a reading group event will take place at Belfast's Grand Central Station on Wednesday, coinciding with Love Your Library Day.

A new BBC archive exhibition about the life and work of poet Louis MacNeice has been commissioned and will begin a tour of regional libraries.

Mark Adair, head of corporate affairs at BBC NI, said: "There will be much to enjoy across the BBC's airwaves and in every part of the library network and in many other places as well, thanks to the support of colleagues in Translink, local schools and universities and many other organisations."

A new BBC comedy drama series, Leonard and Hungry Paul, has been scheduled to coincide with Book Week. Narrated by the actress Julia Roberts, it is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Rónán Hession.

Libraries NI has a programme of events including conversations with well-known local authors Wendy Erskine, Glenn Patterson and Elly Griffiths amongst others.

Dr Jim O'Hagan, chief executive at Libraries NI, said there is something for everyone in Book Week.

"Everyone can take part - children, families, teenagers, students, retired people, those working from home and the list goes on," he said.

"Taking time to read - even 15 minutes - can start a new chapter."

A list of events taking place can be found online at the website bbc.co.uk/bookweekni with more details about times and venues.

It also offers downloadable resources for children and young people, including posters and bookmarks.

Bookshop owner Jenni Doherty describes reading as 'a workout for the brain'

Jenni Doherty, who owns Little Acorns bookshop in Londonderry, said getting a library card is one of the first things parents should do for their children.

"That's going to be the greatest gift you're going to give them throughout the rest of their life," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"We were always given books as gifts from Santa, it just was something you always had in the house."

She said everyone would benefit from reading, which she described as "a workout for the brain".

"It helps you relax and unwind, it's a great role model for kids, learning and expanding your vocabulary."