World Book Night

Congratulations, Grandmanorm. I've just got the e-mail too and will be giving away copies of The Reader. I did it in 2011 and it was great - I even made a quilt in honour of World Book Night that year. This time I'll be giving the books away in the far north of Scotland rather than in the south of England.

Quiltinggran, congratulations to you also. I hadn't realised that that the first book on one's list was the one that you were given. My choice is a really hard (emotional) book so I think I shall have to be very careful to whom I give it. I chose it because was a Relate counsellor for many many years and thought it would be an interesting read.
I shall certainly apply to do this next year, it is such a superb idea.
I would love to do quilting but have stinky arthritis in my fingers!!! It could be worse though, so I am not complaining.

Would you explain what world book night is please? I've never heard of it?

I did it in 2011 - gave away 24 copies of Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Some people reacted very strangely - backing away and saying as if I was about to attack them (!) although others were delighted. Perhaps it was my choice of book which put them off

Stansgran see www.worldbooknight.org. It's easier than trying to explain it!

sorry - i-pad fingeritis - delete 'saying' and it was 20 copies not 24

I remember someone trying to give me a copy of that in Durham . I didn't want it because I'd already read it. It was about 5pm and the student was obviously fed up with trying to shed the books. Don't think it was you Gally. Should I have taken it and given it to oxfam?

This is my 3rd year- I do give a copy to eveyone in my Reading group & we make it that month's book - I know that is not quite the idea but I know that at least those copies are going to people who will read, appreciate & hand on the books. After that I just stand in the shopping mall & accost people. It is fascinating the reactions you get- I always start with- I'm not asking for any money I just want to GIVE you a free book & it is not a religious thing. Then I ask about their reading habits. You get some very mixed reactions!
I was really pleased by a young mum last year who said she never read books as she had no time but then came back a few minutes later & asked for a copy as she said it sounded interesting & maybe she should find the time. That one encounter made it all worth while- I DO hope she read it.
This year I have gone for a Jojo Moyes- Me Before You. It is an easy read I know but I enjoyed it & I think it would encourage younger people to read so that's the market I'm aiming at this year.
Enjoy the experience all you new 'givers' & for the record I do it when I can during the following week as I am never going to be able to give books away at night round here- it's deserted unless you go into a pub or restaurant.

Just collected my books!
You don't have to write all those numbers in them this year! Hooray!!
It took ages & I always went wrong & had to go back to the beginning & check I hadn't used one twice.
Plus they came to my local library so I didn't have to travel miles to get them- much improved this year.