World Book Night!

Is anyone doing anything interesting?

I went to an early event this morning. Our local private (subscription) library is in some beautiful public gardens which lock up at night, so they had to do theirs in the daytime. It was really fun. Loads of people there, from children to OAPs, and they served scrummy cream teas for everyone.

I got a copy of John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold which, embarrassingly, I've never read. What's really nice about it is that it has 'World Book Night 2011' printed on the cover, along with a blurb about WBN on the back. It's a really nice keepsake.

Tonight our local public library is holding an event, so I'll be going to that. Several local authors will be speaking there too, so it should be good. And who knows what other book I'll come home with!

Just me then?? 

Last night was even better! I think the library expected about 20-30 people, but had nearly 100! Standing room only, and we were packed in like sardines. Still, I managed to snag copies of Alan Bennett's A Life Like Other People's and Ben Macintyre's Agent Zigzag. And had some really entertaining book chat with four local authors to boot.

I loved World Book Night. Roll on WBN 2012!

I'd never heard of it.  Heard of World Book Day for kids (this past Thursday) but didn't know about this. 

Haven't read Agent Zigzag but enjoyed his Operation Mincemeat.  Alex's cousin Andy is married to the daughter of one of the guys who was behind Mincemeat in fact (Charles Cholmondeley) only his family knew nothing about it until Macintyre wrote the book! 

Haven't read Agent Zigzag but enjoyed his Operation Mincemeat.  Alex's cousin Andy is married to the daughter of one of the guys who was behind Mincemeat in fact (Charles Cholmondeley) only his family knew nothing about it until Macintyre wrote the book! 

How cool!  I haven't read either Mincemeat or Zigzag, but am looking forward to it.

World Book Night was a giveaway of one million books all over the UK. You had to apply to be a 'giver' and were then sent 48 copies of the book you chose. Then there were events held all over the place to distribute the books. It was fabulous.

What a cool idea!

We went to the launch in Trafalgar Square on Friday.  I wanted to find some events yesterday, but the site wasn't very search friendly.  I am getting one of the books from a friend, but I am not sure if she realises it's on the list.

We were out in Hampstead yesterday, and were given Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin. Looking forward to reading it!

We saw a big tent/event in Trafalgar Sq on Friday night, but I think you needed tickets to get in, and we were on our way to the theatre so couldn't investigate too much.

Nothing (to my knowledge) was going on here, but it did inspire me to pick up three of the selections that Ive never read (Stuart: A Life Backwards, The Spy Who Came In From the Cold & A Life Like Other Peoples)

I was surprised that Amazon didnt even have mention of it on its books section.

I was surprised that Amazon didnt even have mention of it on its books section.

That is surprising - especially since Amazon's head of book buying was on the World Book Night committee which selected the books.

I was hoping there would be re-direction to authors and their selected books, and there was nothing I initially tried searching for selections by world book night and nothing came back.

VERY disappointing for something thats a very good cause.
Actually Ive just found their 'feature' section. Its located on the left hand side of the page half way down. Not very obvious.  

Aww, I didn't even know about this..

Aww, I didn't even know about this..

If you register on the WBN website, you'll get reminders for next year!

If you register on the WBN website, you'll get reminders for next year!

Thanks! I certainly will!