BBC Poetry Season – An Update

Reproduced with kind permission from The Reader Online, written by Mark Till
The BBC’s Poetry Season is now fully up and running. Last weekend, BBC Four showed a series of programmes – some old, some new – about Wilfred Owen, Dylan Thomas, Ted Hughes, Stevie Smith, Philip Larkin, Carol Ann Duffy, W. H. Auden and [...]

Poem of the Week

In the spirit of Red Nose Day, today’s poem is (hopefully) a bit of a funny one. Enjoy!
 
‘Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf’ from Revolting Rhymes
 
As soon as Wolf began to feel
That he would like a decent meal,
He went and knocked on Grandma’s door.
When Grandma opened it, she saw
The sharp white teeth, the horrid [...]

Happy World Book Day from Bibby Line Group!

Last week I asked what book you are currently reading and which book is your all-time favourite. I had some interesting and varied responses from people working across the company. Feel free to let me know what you’re currently reading!
 
I’m currently reading….
 
“Marley and Me by John Grogan. It’s very emotional, I first read I [...]

Happy World Book Day from The Reader Organisation!

Kindly reproduced from The Reader Online, written by Jen Tomkins.

In today’s Guardian, there is an article about the ‘books we only say we’ve read’ – something that all of us, no matter how well read, are guilty of. Today is World Book Day, a celebration of books and reading, so please do let us know [...]

27th January: Holocaust Memorial Day

 
First they came for the Communists,
  and I didn’t speak up,
    because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Social Democrats,
  and I didn’t speak up,
    because I wasn’t a Social Democrat.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
  and I didn’t speak up,
    because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and [...]

COSMIC!

Last Wednesday, as part of the Community Programme Awareness Day at Bibby Line Group H.O, a dozen or so employees gathered enthusiastically to await the arrival of Liverpool writer Frank Cottrell Boyce. Whilst we all enjoyed tea, cream-filled scones and strawberries (kindly provided by Michael Bibby), Frank read from his latest novel Cosmic: this was [...]

(A previously ambivalent) Ella Jolly encounters royalty

 
Yesterday, whilst dashing from Banbury train station to Marks and Spencer to buy some delicious treats for BLG reading groups (the cakes alone are a good reason to come to a reading group!), I stumbled across the Queen.
 
The white-haired lady, immaculate in scarlet coat and hat, walked elegantly through an enthusiastic, flag-waving crowd. She [...]

Passing on the poems and other great things

Today, Jen Tomkins, Communications Officer at The Reader Organisation, featured Thomas Hardy’s poem Great Things on The Reader Online. Somewhat serendipitously, I happened to take a look at the website at the exact moment when Hardy’s words seemed magically meant for me. So in the spirit of Jamie Oliver passing on recipes, I would like [...]

Poem of the Week

Later this afternoon, Bibby Line Group Head Office in Liverpool hosts the official launch of The Reader Organisation. Founded at the University of Liverpool in 1997, The Reader Organisation became a charitable trust during 2008. Our aim is to bring about a Reading Revolution. For us, literature is a force for social good and personal [...]

Launching a Reading Revolution

Founded at the University of Liverpool in 1997, The Reader Organisation became a charitable trust during 2008. Our aim is to bring about a Reading Revolution. Why? Because reading matters to everyone.
 
‘Can’t you stay a bit longer? I want to find out what happens in the story.’
Looked-after child, Wirral Children’s Service
 
‘Now I take the time [...]