FOLLOWING the success of 'Days Like This', which saw thousands of Scots sending stories about a special day in their life, Scottish Book Trust is now launching 'The Book That Changed My Life', a new reading and writing project asking people across Scotland to tell a story about the one book that changed their life.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: "Based on the outstanding response we got for 'Days Like This', and the huge enthusiasm of the participants, we expect to get some very inspired – and inspirational – stories about the power of books an
d their significance in people's lives.
"Books do change lives – we know that. But in which ways? We are dying to find out. We hope that the answers from people across Scotland will create a real buzz about reading and writing, encouraging others to take up book and pen."
'The Book That Changed My Life' aims to encourage as many people as possible across Scotland to share the story behind a book that means something to them.
It doesn't need to have literally 'changed' their life – it could be a book that shaped the way they are or think; maybe a book that meant something at a special point in their life, or even a book associated with a special event, either good or bad.
It could be anything from a classic novel to a children's book, a collection of poems or a self-help book, anything as long ass it is linked to a personal and possibly life-changing story.
A host of celebrities have already told the Scottish Book Trust of the book that changed their lives – for author Ian Rankin it was Anthony Burgess' 'A Clockwork Orange'; for singer Lulu it was Barack Obama 'Dreams from My Father', and for actor Brian Cox, Luke Rhinehart's 'The Dice Men'.
And now the Trust wants to hear from everyone across Scotland. Stories should be between 50 and 500 words and can be submitted online at
www.scottishbooktrust.com/thebook or by post to: The Book That Changed My Life, Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunks Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR.
Stories must include the author's name and title of the book together with why this particular book is so important. All stories will be available to read on the website, creating a list of life-changing books as well as a platform for discussion, and the most inspirational ones will be featuring in a book to be published at the end of the project.
