Titles by Pratchett and Stormzy featured on Big Eurovision Read list

The Reading Agency has unveiled plans for a new campaign celebrating music and reading to mark the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which is being hosted in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine on 13th May.  

Supported by BBC Arts, "The Big Eurovision Read" features a booklist of 12 titles by celebrated authors including Rachel Joyce, Terry Pratchett and Stormzy. 

The music-themed list, which was selected by librarians across the country, aims to create a dialogue between book lovers and Eurovision fans. All 12 books will be available to enjoy at the Reading Den, a dedicated space outside Liverpool Central Library, which will host two weeks of workshops, events and readings as part of Liverpool’s Eurofestival.

The 12 titles are: Greetings from Bury Park by Sarfraz Manzoor (Bloomsbury); Ellie Pillai is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam (Faber & Faber); Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye (Faber & Faber); Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell (Sceptre); Space Opera by Catherynne M Valente (Corsair); High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (Penguin); The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce (Black Swan); Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far by Stormzy (Merky Books); Soul Music by Terry Pratchett (Penguin); Broken Greek: A Story of Chip Shops and Pop Songs by Pete Paphides (Quercus); The Songs You’ve Never Heard by Becky Jerams and Ellie Wyatt (Sweet Cherry Publishing); and The Madonna of Bolton by Matt Cain (Unbound).

Karen Napier, c.e.o. of The Reading Agency, said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with BBC Arts to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest this year and celebrating the power of reading and music. The Reading Agency hugely values the support of our library partners bringing this exciting book list to life in the heart of communities across the country this summer."  
Culture Liverpool director, Claire McColgan CBE, said: “We love The Big Eurovision Read commission – it’s an imaginative and engaging way to bring people along with us on our exciting Eurovision journey. It’s music to our ears to see our libraries incorporated in this fantastic celebration of reading and music.”

Author Joyce added: “It’s a complete honour to be part of this scheme, and to be one of such a powerful selection of books. Reading and music go hand in hand, finding an expression for what at times seems inexpressible, and proving it is possible for us to be joined beyond the boundaries of place and time. I shall be reading the complete set.”