About four Acton-ites did it last year and we eventually bumped into each other mostly at the market, so I wondered....I will have copies of Small Island by Andrea Levy to give away - but have NO recollection where I said I would give them and to whom. Oops!And it's a Monday this year so no market.
Sara Nathan ● 5324d33 Comments
So I will pick up all these lovely books from Acton Library...My pitch was to distribute at Acton market again....So either I jump the gun and do it the previous Saturday.Or I find somewhere else which would appreciate Small Island by Andrea Levy.Any ideas?
Sara Nathan ● 5315d
I am sorry but what is this?
Doda Hos ● 5315d
It's a scheme - now in its second year - to distribute books to people who otherwise have little access to them.Each "giver" signs up to give out one particular title - of 25 I think. Last year we each had 48 to distribute so I assume it's the same this year.The organisers print special editions for distribution. Each book has an identifier and all teh recvipient has to do is say they will read the book. Th eorganisers hope they will be passed on or exchanged but I dont think there was nay evidence of this happening last year.There's a website and a facebook page - both World Book Night - if you want further information.Oh and its on April 23rd - Shakespeare's birthday.
No other Actonites with books to collect from the Library this week and give away Monday week?I will have 25 copies of Small Island to distribute - I think probably outsie Morrison's that day and would love to see other givers.But are there any?
Sara Nathan ● 5268d
Missed the deadline to take part. Glad it is still going - the Booked Up scheme, which offered a book to every Year 7 student, has ended despite lobbying by high-profile authors. Instead we are invited to a scheme that charges £2.50 per child. Hope World Book Night survives.
Jan Norman ● 5267d
Has no government funding - and is largely in the self interest of the publishers - apparently last time sales of nominated books went UP following the distribution. Plus it has now spread internationally. So it's looking ffairly positive
Sara Nathan ● 5267d
Perhaps I am being dim but you say people who otherwise would not have access to books, can they not go to the library?
Jen Morty ● 5267d
They could but many don't. And owning a book is a different sort of experience. Plus havng a recommended one might get you going when you are rudderless in a literary sea.And there's being given something which is rather entrancing. Just because you are there and might be interested.
I must have confused it with Govt schemes now defunct. I must be more alert. Agree with you about owning a book - our Yr 7 children really appreciate the 'free' book.
I'm not sure where the money comes from - though it is at least partly publishers - and they get a lot of coverage, promotion and credit.I think its a brilliant idea and hope it does well - invented here but now happening in the States for the first time.It was really fun last year - and there's a big event at the south bank that evening I think for chaps as likes literary stuff.
Apparently our books have now arrived at Acton Library...can't wait.
Sara Nathan ● 5266d
Ho humPenguin have sent not "Small World" which I have read and love but "Sleepyhead" which I haven't and don't.Hope WBN can sort it.The other Acton givers are Sandra Brown and Saleh Rahman with Tale of Two Cities and The Road. So look out for them.
Sara Nathan ● 5265d
Ah I loved Tale of Two Cities when at school......
Jen Morty ● 5265d
Yes would have been tempted to switch cartons but was under surveilance.Apparently mine will arrive in a couple of days
Love this idea. I'm a lifelong bibliophile but haven't organised enough to participate this year. If I could I'd certainly bring along either King Lear or Othello in honour of the Bard!I would highly recommend Small Island by Andrea Levy, great insight into the Windrush experience etc.Do you remember the recent riots? They raided every shop but Waterstones stood was untouched. Goes to show, trainers and plasma tvs are more cache. Sad.We do 'Book Crossing' [google it] at work and drop books for that. Read on read on read on....
T Beme ● 5260d
I do book crossing a bit - but a local place to do it would be great - Vanilla gave me a shelf but I haven't asked anyone since its demise.There's also a group who install bookshelves in train stations - for people to donate and pick up from. Brilliant idea. I'm hoping they might do Acton Central.I'm distributing outside Morrison's tomorrow lunchtime
Sara Nathan ● 5260d
Agree Acton Central would be perfect for a bit of book crossing.I had a very nice message in one of the books I picked; I never leave messages, if I did I'd probably write a novel! Heh.
I am afraid I cant make a collection tomorrow, but would love a copy if one is spare Sara! I have just got back into ready after entering a very bad habit of spending each free minute to and from work buried in a blackberry; not healthy at all and it the makes it very difficult to define the start and end of the day and personal time!
Sarah Allan ● 5260d
I'll let you know if there are any left over - but they are supposed to be targeted (though quite how I am not sure!) at people who wouldn't naturally have access to many books.Lets see how I do at Morrisons
It was too wet for Morrison's and Maureen suggested the Oaks - which was a happier hunting ground. then I wrote up my experience and sent it in to World Book Night:http://www.worldbooknight.org/wbn-blog/a-very-moving-givers-story.html
Sara Nathan ● 5259d
Sara,Thank you for my book - I am looking forward to starting it later!
Amanda Knights ● 5259d
Good luck with the illiterate ... I was going to say old lady then realised she's barely older than me!
Susan Kelly ● 5259d
I know - can you imagine going through life as obviously a fairly intelligent, conversible person and unable to read.I'll do my best!
great blog - enjoyed reading it. i think the god's were directing you to the Oaks where you have found the 'right' people to receive these wonderful gifts. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.Good on you
Sally Rivlin ● 5259d
Any Jean Plaidy, AKA Eleanor Burford,Elbur Ford,Kathleen Kellow,Ellalice Tate,Anna Percival,Victoria Holt,Philippa Carr.
Nicola Howard ● 5259d
I can't imagine not being able to read, no; it doesn't bear thinking about. Reading is a great comfort, I find. I've got my Dad into it recently, mostly by giving him novels set in Ireland, and he's whizzing through them.
Susan Kelly ● 5258d
My dad, being a scientist, usually read non-fiction, but I introduced him to the books of Jane Austen when he was in his 80s and he loved them! It's never too late...
Lorna Dodd ● 5258d
Does he like the detective series set in Dublin in the 50s that you weren't so keen on Susan?
Sara Nathan ● 5258d
He's read all four of those Benjamin Blacks now, Sara. It wasn't that I wasn't keen on them: if you remember, it was I who suggested that we read the first one at Book Club.Having run out of novels set in Ireland, I am now trying him out on a few other authors.
Oh Sorry - I wonder who it was really disliked them. I have now read another and rather enjoyed it.Am making slow progress with Oscar and Lucinda though.
One thing about introducing someone who has never done much reading to the joys of it is that they have no pre-conceived ideas about what they like.Probably won't be offering him The Waves any time soon, though.
Three cheers for Brent library services - my lady who wants to learn to read has an assessment booked for mid May.
Sara Nathan ● 5255d
That's brilliant Sara, well done for setting it up.
Chris Hurley ● 5255d