Double treat for book-lovers

Fay Weldon is the big name appearing at World Book Day Aotearoa, but what exactly is it all about?

World Book Day began in Spain, where a celebration of books and reading on Saint Jordi's (St George's) Day, April 23, takes place each year. This day is traditionally when couples exchange gifts - a rose from a man and a book from a woman. In the 1920s it became a national holiday in Spain.

In 1995 Unesco used the day to mark a celebration of literacy.

This year New Zealand has decided to take part, choosing today, the birthday of Katherine Mansfield.

WORLD BOOK DAY

Saturday, October 14

Whangarei: Grant Mackenzie (The Househusband's Guide to Life) and Christine Leov Lealand (Avocado) will be at Classics bookshop from 12.30 pm.

Gisborne: Herald food columnist Julie Biuso, author of the cookbook Fresh and wine writer Michael Cooper (2001 Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines) will judge local restaurant awards at the A&P Show.

New Plymouth: Elizabeth Knox (The High Jump) and Sue Reidy (Four Ways to be a Woman) talk from noon to 2 pm at the London Bookshop, Gill St.

Napier: Fay Weldon will talk with Barbara Arnott at the Century Theatre, from 2.30 pm. Tickets from Beattie & Forbes Bookshop and libraries.

Auckland: World Book Day coincides with the Women's Book Weekend, organised by the Women's Bookshop at the Auckland College of Education Music Auditorium, Gate 3, Epsom Ave, Mt Eden.

These are ticketed events with admission charges.

WOMEN'S BOOK WEEKEND

Saturday highlights

9-11 am: Handling myth - Writing workshop with Gillian Hanscombe and Suniti Namjoshi.

9.30-10.30 am: Making Brainwaves - Dr Robin Fancourt, a paediatrician from New Plymouth and author of Brainy Babies, will show that understanding the significance of early brain development has implications for the health and welfare of the whole nation.

10.45-11.45 am: Silk and Silver - Wellington art historian and curator Ann Calhoun, author of the sumptuous new book The Arts and Crafts Movement in NZ 1870-1940, will give a visual presentation on the role and artistic contribution of women in this rich field.

Noon-1 pm: Cyber Scribes - Explore cyberspace, navigate the net and unweave the web with Rachel McAlpine (Web Word Wizardry), Rhonda Bartle (winner of the 1999 Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award) and Australian Dorothy Johnston (twice shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award) whose novel The Trojan Dog involves computer hacking and cybercrime.

2-3 pm: What the Sisters Said - International guests Gillian Hanscombe and Suniti Namjoshi will read from recent works.

3.15-4.15 pm: Strangeness and Journeys - Discussion and readings with novelists Kapka Kassabova (Love in the Land of Midas), Eirlys Hunter (Between Black and White) and Charlotte Randall (The Curative).

4.30-5.30 pm: Tribute to Katherine Mansfield - Celebrate Katherine Mansfield's birthday with Auckland University Press director Elizabeth Caffin, poet Anna Jackson whose Oxford doctorate is on writers' diaries (including Mansfield's), poet Riemke Ensing who has a volume of poetry entitled The KM File, Women's Bookshop owner Carole Beu and Gordon and Gotch general manager Sarah Sandley, whose doctoral thesis was entitled "Epiphany in the Short Fiction of Katherine Mansfield."

8 pm: Stars in Our Eyes - Readings by some of New Zealand's most talented writers, with extraordinary new work: novelists Tina Shaw, Kapka Kassabova, Barbara Else, Sue Reidy and Charlotte Randall, with poet Cilla McQueen.

Sunday highlights

9.30-10.30 am: So You Want to Write? - Inspiration and practical advice from two successful authors and writing teachers: Rachel McAlpine (Nine Winning Habits of Successful Authors) and Joan Rosier-Jones (So You Want to Write), president of the Society of Authors.

10.45-11.45 am: Larger than Life - An hour with Lauren Roche (Bent Not Broken), the doctor whose life story includes abuse and prostitution, and Lynda Finn (Largely Happy), fighter against fatophobia and founder of the Wide and Wonderful network.

Noon-1 pm: Talking Pictures - Award-winning poet Cilla McQueen joins two Auckland poets Riemke Ensing and Anna Jackson.

2-3 pm: Simply Delicious - Julie Le Clerc (More Simple Cafe Food), former owner of the Garnet Rd Foodstore, joins Catherine Bell from the Epicurean Workshop. Together they will demonstrate, dialogue and produce delicacies.

3.15-4.15 pm: Down Among the Women - In discussion, with readings to illustrate their points, are: Sue Reidy (Four Ways to be a Woman) Tina Shaw (City of Reeds) and Barbara Else (Three Pretty Widows).

4.30-5.30 pm: Beyond the Bedroom Door: Erotica & Romance - How raunchy can you get? Christine Leov Lealand, author of the best-selling erotic novel Quintessence, joins renowned and prolific romance writer Daphne Clair (Daphne De Jong) for readings and lively discussion, with Rachel McAlpine (The Passionate Pen: NZ Romance Writers).