Organisers of one of the UK's largest ever collaborative reading events are preparing to distribute thousands of free copies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's (pictured) classic tale The Lost World throughout Edinburgh next month.
From 31st January, free books will be made available at city libraries, book groups, community groups, and via "bookcrossings" on park benches, in coffee shops, and on buses.
This, the third "One Book-One Edinburgh" reading event, celebrates Edinburgh-raised Arthur Conan Doyle’s 150th birthday and Charles
Darwin’s bicentenary.
Previous shared novels were Edinburgh author Robert Louis
Stevenson's Gothic classic The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde in 2008 and prior to that Stevenson's Kidnapped.
The mass-read sees the distribution of four new
books: a free paperback edition, a quick
read edition, a Reader's Guide edition, and a graphic biography of Darwin's life introducing his theories on evolution.
If you don't manage to get your hands on a free book, you will be able to read or
listen to several versions, including the Reader's Guide, online from 31st January. The City of Literature site is also carrying Lost World film footage.
As many as 250,000 readers from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hampshire, Shrewsbury, City of Westminster and South West England are expected to immerse themselves in the fantastical, prehistoric yarn, with numerous events tied in with the big read.
Dinos at Dynamic Earth
Among 22 events scheduled throughout February and March, Our Dynamic Earth is hosting a weekend of dinosaur activities for half term from 14-15 February. The activities include a dinosaur dig and treasure hunt through the large scale visitor attraction.
Over the weekend, budding palaeontologists can try their hand at uncovering fossilised dinosaur bones from a pit of sand or explore the edges and extremes of planet Earth in search of clues to discover the mystery of dinosaurs.
Other Lost World events include screenings of the 1925 classic silent movie of The Lost World, talks on the importance of Darwin's theory of evolution in the modern day and appearances from award-winning science fiction authors China Miéville and Ken MacLeod.
Children can become Dinosaur Detectives or enjoy performances of ‘How the Giraffe Got It's Neck' at National Museums Scotland.