The fastest read in Wales

Highland Airways, which operate the north-south air service between Cardiff and Anglesey will be offering free books to its passengers in the departures hall at Anglesey Airport / Maes Awyr Môn (RAF Valley) on Anglesey and on board its plane throughout Quick Reads Week 2010 (February 22-26). Pictured is FirstOfficer Joanna Kelland, Cabin Crew Kaye McGeer and Captain Elliston Millar (Base Captain Cardiff).

The Quick Reads/Stori Sydyn campaign, now in its 5th year, is going from strength to strength. The aim of the titles, supported by the Welsh Books Council and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, is to encourage people to look afresh at reading through entertaining, fun and short books.  

Throughout Quick Reads Week there will also be a special library carriage on Arriva Trains’ north-south Wales service. Travellers will also be able to buy copies of the eight new titles launched this year, priced £1.99, from the on board buffet carriage.

On both Tuesday, 23 February and Wednesday 24th February authors (Ali Yassine – Tuesday, Rachel Trezise – Wednesday) will also be conducting readings from their own Quick Reads titles on the 10.38 am Arriva Trains Wales Merthyr-Cardiff service.

On Thursday, 25th February, Rachel Trezise will visit Cardiff Prison from 2pm – 4pm to read extracts from her book and conduct a workshop with some of the inmates, in collaboration with the Academy.

Throughout the week, Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service, will be supporting Quick Reads Week 2010 by selling a number of titles at Caernarfon Castle.

The book titles, four in English, published by Accent Press, and four in Welsh, published by Y Lolfa, range in subject matters from the ups and downs of real life lottery winners in We Won the Lottery by Danny Buckland to Random Thoughts, the hilarious take on comedian Chris Corcoran’s life. There’s also a chance to take a look behind the scenes at the tiny gym in Newbridge in Team Calzaghe, while celebrated Valleys-based author Rachel Trezise takes a darkly humorous look at how computers can distance people from the real world around them in Loose Connections. In Welsh, the Stori Sydyn titles include an account of the dazzling year when trainee doctor and shining light of Welsh rugby, Jamie Roberts toured with the Lions in South Africa in Jamie: Y Llew yn Ne Affrica, rugby is also in the frame in Hiwmor Nigel by international rugby referee Nigel Owens which includes some of his favourite jokes and anecdotes. The controversial Howard Marks sets out his views on Wales in Cymru Howard Marks, while Cardiff FC supporter, voice of their  tadium and actor Ali Yassine talks about his life, loves and football in his autobiography Llais yr Adar Gleision.

Delyth Humphreys, on behalf of the Welsh Books Council , said, “I am very grateful to Highland Airways for their support in making the Quick Reads titles available on their north-south service throughout the week. The service is certainly fast, and I wonder how many quick reads books can be read in the air as you speed from Anglesey to Cardiff and back again. Now there’s a challenge for somebody!”  Colin Munro on behalf of Highland Airways, added, “We are proud to be able to support this important initiative. Air travel and reading have always gone hand in hand, especially on long haul flight but it’s not possible to finish your average novel on a short journey such as ours but these Quick Reads titles solve that problem and are a great way to fly, read and finish the story before you land.”