Are you doing it right now? I’ve been doing it this morning and might sneak a quick one in on the bus later. My postman’s been doing in on his round and I’ve heard they’ve got a club for doing it up at the Police Station. Everyone at the Dr’s surgery was doing it together last week when I walked in on them, but they quickly stopped (or most of them did) when I walked in.
My neighbours are doing it in the middle of the night, I’ve seen a lifeguard at it on the beach, and no end of people shamelessly up to it along the prom this weekend, lot’s of couples have been doing it to each other and even the gardener in the Pavilion Gardens was up to it, in full view of the tourists.  It feels like half the city is up to it.

What is it? I hear you feebly cry, almost worn out by my over- extended smutty innuendo, it’s this years ‘City Reads’ of course.

Each year one book by one author is selected for the whole city to read, debate and engage with at events across the city. This years book is the James Bond/Ian Fleming classic, 'From Russia with Love' and until May 23, a host of events, workshops, and film screenings are planned to focus on the counter espionage novel and its related themes.  A-hah! That’s why the number 7 bus is now called the 007, and the lady in the post office is affecting a Russian accent, now it’s starting to make sense.

The fifth in the Bond series, it has had some high profile supporters. Kennedy included it in his list of top 10 favourite books , Mrs Thatcher loved it, Castro adores it, HM the Queen has been seen reading it & Comedian and Bond enthusiast Charlie Higson named From Russia with Love as his favourite of the Fleming series saying; 'If you've never read a Bond book before you've picked a good place to start’.

There are even free copies of the book to read, scattered like radioactive diamonds across the city. Look out for free copies of From Russia with Love - in cafes and launderettes, on beaches and benches and on the 007 bus route…Get a copy and get involved, its great fun and there’s something for everyone whether you're an occasional reader or a confirmed bibliophile, there will be an event that fires your imagination, from Bond screenings, to Book Karaoke and quizzes.

One event that Fleming would no doubt approve of is Bedtime Bond where the Penthouse at myhotel plays hosts the hotel’s very first Reader in Residence, actor Damian Barr who will read excerpts from the novel while the audience sips a Vodka- Martini.

More info on all the Cityreads events here: