Are you a reader? Whatever the answer, 2026 maybe the year you start to be as it has been designated the National Year of Reading. This UK-wide campaign has been designed to inspire more people to make reading a regular part of their lives. We are all being encouraged to ‘Go All In’ and take some time to read as it can expand worlds, sharpen minds and fuel creativity.
The curated display in the library foyer could help you to ‘Go All In’ with books linked to Dundee. All titles are set in the city, or created by authors with experience of living here so might provide the inspiration to start you reading. Goodreads has a selection of over 200 titles set in the city. A selection of these are available physically and electronically in the library collections.
TARTAN NOIR
I was surprised to find out how much crime fiction has been set in the city, ranging in time period from Michael Archibold’s Sergeant Watters set in the 19th century, to R.D. McLean’s Detective Burnett working in 1970s Dundee. Hania Allen’s books featuring DS Dania Gorska are set in the mid-2010s. She is working in Dundee’s specialist crime division, and experiencing the city for the first time after being relocated from London. Dundee is an established location for Tartan Noir.
MORE THAN A CITY OF CRIME
Not everything about the stories relating to Dundee are of a criminal nature, the city’s location on the Firth of Tay has inspired meanderings, art, poetry, music and even a best-selling book on seasonal soups. Some authors have also taken the University of Dundee as the setting of their works or have characters studying and working at the University. If you want to use your reading time to learn a little more about Dundee there is a range of non-fiction available in the leisure reading and main collection of the library, or you can browse historical material relating to the city in the archives. The collection incorporates education, culture, environmental and business history, medicine and health.
BOOK FESTIVAL
If you are determined to make the most of the Year of Reading, you might be interested in the Dundee Book Festival being held this June (18th-21st). The festival is a celebration of writers and reading and is taking place in venues across Dundee. Some of the authors on display will also be appearing at the book festival.
MORE BOOKS
If you want your reading to take you to a world beyond Dundee and think of a title that we could add to our collections, please send us an email to morebooks@dundee.ac.uk
Hope you find some time to read in 2026 and beyond.
View the online scrolling book jacket display for the ‘Dundee National Year of Reading 2026’ display
#NationalYearOfReading #GoAllIn2026
