Book lovers can get an insight into life in Antarctica, while crime thriller fans are also in for a special treat during Book Week Scotland.

Both Largs and West Kilbride libraries are hosting events to celebrate literature later this month, and are free of charge, although you need to book tickets in advance for each event.

Crime fiction author James Oswald is fast gaining an international reputation, and you can get the chance to hear his book talk at Largs Library on Thursday 24 November from 7-8.30pm.

James is behind the popular Inspector McLean series including Natural Causes and its sequel, The Book of Souls, when he released them, and the international rights were sold to six countries.

And then in West Kilbride Library on Wednesday 23 November from 7-8.30pm, Gavin Francis will speak about 14 months as base camp doctor at a remote British research station in Antarctica. Gavin experienced a year of isolation, a summer of perpetual sunshine and a winter of darkness when temperatures plunged to 50 degrees below zero. The talk is entitled "Empire Antarctica: ice, silence and emperor penguins".

It is all part of Book Week Scotland which is taking place Monday 21-Sunday 27 November as audiences across Scotland get the opportunity to take part in a national celebration of books and reading.

Keen readers can get involved by voting for their favourite http://scottishbooktrust.com/reading/book-week-scotland/scottish-book-to-screen-vote, challenge themselves or a friend to a #ReadingDare and during the week, a brand new Book Generator quiz will be available on http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland, enabling participants to uncover the perfect book match for themselves or the ideal present for a friend.

The 2016 events programme is a literary box of delights, with something for people of all ages to enjoy.