BBC 2 News item...only One Million to give away, books I mean...

2 December 2010

'World Book Night: One million books to be given away                                                     

Alan Bennett's A Life Like Other People's and Nigel Slater's Toast are among books being given away.    One million books will be given away free in the UK and Ireland on 5 March for the inaugural World Book Night.

Some 20,000 volunteers will hand out 48 copies each of their favourite book from a 25-strong list. A further 40,000 will be distributed by organisers.

Would-be volunteers apply through the event's website, choosing a book from the list which features Alan Bennett, John Le Carre and Margaret Atwood.

 ‘Having one million books given to one million different people on one night in this way is both unprecedented and hugely exciting.’

Patrons include JK Rowling.

‘A book allows us to hold the experience of another in our hands and absorb it in our minds.'

The 20,000 people selected will be invited to take part in parties and celebrations on World Book Night, which is being supported by BBC Two.

Books on the list include Atwood's The Blind Assassin, Bennett's A Life Like Other People's, Nigel Slater's Toast, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, and Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning Life of Pi.'

The luxury of curling up on the sofa, cup of coffee at hand and a pack of chocolate biscuits on my lap with a small dog snoring away either side of me and a new book to read is all too rare.

With the snow outside and my fire glowing red in the grate I can't think of anything more comforting, cosy or secure.

Ok, maybe that is a romanticised version of events but at least once a year I try to arrange that I have the peace and quiet to enjoy such an experience.

Most of the time I only read in bed and fall asleep after a chapter or two but the pleasure of holding a book in my hand is still with me! Maybe in a few years time I will be just another Dodo and perhaps a million or so books will have joined the endangered species list although I am sure the British Library will have something to say about that! 

I love the new technology, hooray for Kindles and their like... but dont forget paper, print, and the sensuous pleasure of holding the latest hardback in your hand as you fall asleep...

Forget the small screen for once - READ A BOOK