Penguin Books will install 90 Little Book Stops across the UK in September, with specific locations revealed throughout the month. Picture: Matt Alexander\/PA Media Assignments<\/p>\n
Renowned worldwide publisher Penguin Books has chosen John O\u2019Groats as one of just 90 sites across the UK to host a \u201cLittle Book Stop\u201d \u2013 a free community book exchange where visitors can take or leave a title.<\/p>\n
The box has been set up beside the iconic John O\u2019Groats signpost and will be maintained by the John O\u2019Groats Development Trust.<\/p>\n
It will be the only \u201cLittle Book Stop\u201d in Caithness and comes as part of Penguin\u2019s 90th birthday celebrations.<\/p>\n
The scheme, run in partnership with US charity Little Free Library, has seen more than 200,000 of these book-sharing boxes appear around the world since 2009.<\/p>\n
For the Scottish pilot, Penguin whittled down more than 2000 public nominations to select its 90 locations, with John O\u2019Groats standing out as the northernmost.<\/p>\n
Books already stocked in the box include a mix of children\u2019s and adult favourites specially chosen to reflect 90 years of Penguin publishing.<\/p>\n
Among the titles are Charlie Mackesy\u2019s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Richard Osman\u2019s Thursday Murder Club and Jacqueline Wilson\u2019s The Story of Tracy Beaker.<\/p>\n
The John O\u2019Groats site is expected to prove especially popular, with the nearest public library 17 miles away.<\/p>\n
New research from the publisher shows that over two thirds of people in the UK say reading improves mental health and wellbeing. Picture: Matt Alexander\/PA Media Assignments<\/p>\n
Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to make use of the simple \u201cgive a book, take a book\u201d system, designed to promote community-led reading and ensure that anyone passing through can pick up their next read at the end of the road.<\/p>\n
Rebecca Sinclair, Chief Brand Officer at Penguin Books, said: \u201cWe were delighted to have received so many applications for 90 Little Book Stops\u2013 it was difficult to select the final locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cBooks and reading are a great way to build connections and create communities, and the sheer amount of interest we received shows just how much people are looking for this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited to see the impact the Little Book Stops have on the local communities selected\u201d.<\/p>\n
Daniel Gumnit, Chief Executive Officer at Little Free Library, said: \u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to join Penguin Books in celebrating their 90th anniversary by introducing 90 Little Book Stop boxes across the UK. At Little Free Library, we believe stories belong to everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese new book-sharing boxes will spark curiosity, bring neighbours together, and make books more accessible in the communities where they\u2019re needed most. We\u2019re honoured to welcome these new locations into our worldwide network.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sally Huband, Penguin author and steward of a Little Book Stop, said: \u201cMy daughter and I are delighted to welcome a Penguin Little Book Stop to our Shetland garden in celebration of Penguin\u2019s 90th year. It will sit on the fence along the road to the Foula ferry and I hope that it will be visited by islanders and visitors alike.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll slip in a copy of my Penguin published book too, Sea Bean, in case any beachcombers pass by on their way to the shore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frances Crawford, Penguin author based in Glasgow, said: \u201cSince the stunning transformation of a former wasteland, Hamiltonhill Claypits has become a focal point for many groups looking to actively engage with nature, and for locals simply out for a wander.<\/p>\n
\u201cPenguin\u2019s installation of one of their 90 Little Book Shops will be hugely welcome by a community which fights hard to improve lives. The Claypits is a wee oasis in our city, Penguin are making us even more proud of it.\u201d<\/p>\n