The Big Read, one of the North of England’s biggest book clubs, is back by popular demand this autumn (23 – 27 November) and heading to libraries across the region, including Harrogate Library and Knaresborough Library on Friday, 27 November.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s longstanding scheme the Big Read, supported by Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, encourages reading, supports libraries and connects communities across the North through a shared love of books.
Drawing on the huge appeal of crime and thriller writing – the UK’s most popular genre – the Big Read 2026 will visit nine libraries, museums and community hubs in both rural and urban locations for a series of engaging and inclusive events.
This year’s title The Whisper Man, published by Penguin, is an atmospheric crime thriller from Leeds-born novelist Alex North. A gripping Sunday Times bestseller, the book has been published in more than 30 languages and adapted into a Netflix film starring Robert De Niro.
The free events are hosted by Harrogate International Festivals’ Reader-in-Residence Julie Mae Cohen, whose award-winning novels have sold over a million copies worldwide.
Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar, said: “From the very beginning, the Big Read has been really popular and a great way for people to connect through a shared love of books and crime novels in particular.
“We all know the benefits that reading can bring, which is why we want to encourage as many people as possible to read Alex North’s fantastic bestseller and take part in the free library events this month.”
Reader-in-Residence Julie Mae Cohen said: “The Big Read is a wonderful way of bringing people from all walks of life together in a welcoming space to talk about a great book. I can’t wait to meet readers and talk to them about Alex’s brilliant crime thriller.”
The Big Read is produced by Harrogate International Festivals in partnership with Penguin Michael Joseph.
The initiative has been running for 23 years and sits alongside the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival which takes place in Harrogate each July.
People can head to one of the participating libraries to collect a free copy of The Whisper Man and sign up for the Big Read via the Harrogate International Festivals website.
The Big Read 2026 Schedule
Thursday, November 26
11am: Shipley Library
2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH
2.30pm: Bingley Library
Five Rise Shopping Centre, Bingley BD16 1AW
Friday, November 27
10.30am: Acomb Explore Library, York
Front Street, Acomb, York. YO24 3BZ
12.30pm: Knaresborough Library, North Yorkshire
Marketplace, Knaresborough. HG5 8AG
2.30pm: Harrogate Library, North Yorkshire
Victoria Avenue, Harrogate. HG1 1EG
Monday, November 23
11am: Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Doncaster
Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BZ
3.30pm: Wath Library and Neighbourhood Hub, Rotherham
Montgomery Road, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham. S63 7RZ
Tuesday, November 24
12.30pm: Hexham Library, Northumberland
Queens Hall, Beaumont St, Hexham NE46 3LS
4pm: Seaton Carew Community Hub, Hartlepool
Station Lane, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool. TS25 1BN
For more information visit the Harrogate International Festivals website harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
