Huge book swap marks 500 years of printing

Published on Friday 28 March 2008 09:37

A HUGE bookswapping event is to be held in Edinburgh to mark 500 years of printing and publishing in Scotland.

Capital residents, visitors and workers can bring along a book they would like to either recommend or swap, and pick up another one to take home.

The event is free and Scottish publishers are donating hundreds of books, including novels, children's books, books on Scottish history, walking guides, biographies, academic and sport books.

Authors including Ian Rankin, James Spence, Linda Strachan and Paul Scott will be attending the event, which has been organised by Publishing Scotland, the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature team.

The giant book swap is being held on Tuesday, April 1, and Lorraine Fannin, director of Publishing Scotland, said: "This is not an April Fool, but a really great opportunity to pass on a favourite book, and pick up something you've never read before.

"We will be asking people to write two lines on why they would recommend the book they've brought.

"We'll pin all of them up for everyone to read, with all recommendations entered into a prize draw."

The book swap will take place at Adam House, Chambers Street, from 11am–2pm.