Book Week Scotland asks readers to #ThankBooks

This year, there is a particular focus on reading in the workplace at Book Week Scotland

Sometimes, a squillion-selling bestseller really does help lesser-known authors. Take Alison Waines, a psychotherapist and thriller writer, who has seen sales of her two-year-old novel, Girl on a Train, soar in the past few months thanks to readers mistakenly buying it instead of the more famous, about-to-be-made-into-a-movie, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. The mistake was uncovered when a reporter for the Wall Street Journal borrowed Ms Waines’ book from his mother, who had discussed it in her book club; she, like some other readers, had actually preferred Waines’ novel. Girl on a Train was published first and Waines has done nothing to encourage the confusion, but she isn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth. She told Between the Covers: “When I first found out about it I just thought it was quite funny and I had no idea of the impact it would have on my sales. I’ve taken it as a real gift. I’ve got other books out – one came out in July and another comes out in February – so I’m trying to make the most of the fact that I have got this amazing exposure.”

Perhaps the weirdest thing about Germaine Greer’s 30,000-word love letter to Martin Amis, newly discovered in her archive, is that what made her “helpless with desire” for him was his 1975 novel, Dead Babies. Little Keith, the new Mr Darcy? Whatever next?

Book Week Scotland begins tomorrow, with a particular emphasis on encouraging reading in the workplace (an idea that has Between the Covers’ full support). Another element is Thank Books – a way to express gratitude for what books give us. Louis de Bernières says: “I agree with Mario Vargas Llosa’s assertion that reading and writing give you thousands of adventures that you never would have had otherwise, and that’s what I would like to thank books for. Through reading, I’ve led many more lives than I’ve really had. The crucial book from my childhood was Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner – it was about smugglers and a love that took years to come to fruition. It was the most wonderful book with church crypts full of rotting coffins and bearded skeletons, and was possibly the best adventure I’ve ever had.”

Bookweekscotland.com includes hundreds of free events across the country. You can get involved by sharing your own #ThankBooks on Twitter.