Gritty crime thrills readers

Feb 8 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

THE North East’s favourite books were revealed yesterday with crime writing and thrillers dominating the list – and keeping out the region’s old favourites.

Patricia Cornwell’s At Risk was named the most borrowed book in the North East’s libraries during 2006/7.

And for the second year running, South Tyneside’s literary darling Catherine Cookson does not feature in the data, released by Stockton-based Public Lending Right, either for readers in the region or the country.

Top of the tree for 28 years before 2005, Cookson was a fixture in the list every year since the record began.

But instead of Cookson’s brand of historical romance, today’s North Easterners seem to favour gritty crime novels and thrillers, with James Patterson having four titles in the top 10.

He has now overtaken children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson as the most borrowed author in the country, and last year’s top novelist, who some consider to be Cookson’s natural heir, has moved down to the number-two spot.

Josephine Cox had four titles in the top 10 North East list this time last year, but that number has now halved, and she features just once at number six in the list for the rest of the UK. The region’s Reader in Residence Caroline Beck, 43, who also runs a monthly book group in Newcastle, feels the trend may have moved from the Cox brand of book partly because of a power shift between women and men.

“Women are far less likely to accept that old-fashioned version of romance these days because there has been a power shift in their relationships with men,” she said. “Plus, thrillers are popular with both genders because they provide pure escapism, and isn’t that what everyone wants from a good book?

“I don’t want to be reading about a 43-year-old woman who lives in County Durham. I would far rather read a dramatic tale set in a far-off place about someone far removed from myself. And it’s just great that so many people are reading. I’m thrilled and hope to see an even more diverse list next year.”

Tony Durcin, a Newcastle librarian, agrees.

He said: “I think public libraries are getting far better at pointing people in the right direction in terms of new material that might interest them as well, so I expect the coming year’s lists to be rich and changing.”

Henry’s up to mischief

ONE of the region’s newest museums has dedicated itself to mischief as part of its latest exhibit.

Up To Mischief with Horrid Henry was launched in Newcastle last night with a speech from the author of the popular series Francesca Simon.

The American children’s writer, whose books are now translated into 26 languages, was at Seven Stories, the Centre for the Children’s Book in Ouseburn to launch the new display, and also see it for herself.

She said: “I just love it. Seven Stories has put Henry into context alongside Just William and Peter Rabbit and Dennis the Menace and there are so many things to keep both older and younger children interested, which I think is a very difficult thing to do within one space.”

Francesca, who has lived in the UK for 30 years after moving to North London from her native Malibu, California, said it was quite overwhelming putting the exhibit together.

She explained: “The exhibit has my original hand-written notes on display from 1993, when I first created Henry. And when I was handing them over the people at Seven Stories were gasping in the same way I was when I saw the Just William notes they also have here. It looked so similar to mine.

“It’s weird. I couldn’t believe people were having that reaction to my work. I thought it must be some mistake, but I just love that opportunity to get inside someone I so admire’s head. This is a great place.”

In collaboration with Francesca’s publisher Orion Children’s Books, the Horrid Henry display catalogues the birth of Horrid Henry among the mischief genre of children’s books through the ages, complete with a bad children’s room full of whoopie cushions, plastic dynamite, wigs and other naughty toys.

As well as manuscripts and interactive activities for kids and adults of all ages, the Sebastian Walker gallery has been transformed with original artwork from Horrid Henry illustrator Tony Ross, and other famous artists involved in bringing the imagination of mischievous authors to life. The exhibit opens to be public tomorrow. (Saturday).