Southampton Central Library is supporting World Book Night – which aims to introduce reading to those in hardest to reach communities by sharing and giving away books – with an open mic event on Tuesday, April 23.
World Book Night is celebrated across the UK, Ireland and the USA.
Councillor Warwick Payne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure (left) said: “Some 60 people in the city came forward to register their interest in World Book Night, and each giver will receive 20 free copies of their favourite title from the list of 20 available, to pass on to individuals who they believe will benefit from the richly rewarding experience of reading.”
First-class entertainment
“As part of this Southampton Central Library will be hosting an Open Mic Poetry Night at 7:30pm and giving away copies of World Book Night titles. I would encourage everyone to come along – perhaps you might like to share your poetry or simply come to enjoy an evening of first class entertainment with internationally renowned poet Bohdan Piasecki, local poetry champion Stewart Taylor and up and coming star Angela Chicken.”
100,000 of the 500,000 books distributed on World Book Night will be going to prisons, care-homes, hospitals, hostels and other institutions.
World Book Night CEO, Julia Kingsford, said: "It’s wonderful to celebrate World Book Night with Southampton Library. Libraries are absolutely vital to communities and we`re incredibly proud that more than 2000 across the country are joining us to share their love of reading and celebrate the power of books."
'Libraries make civilised society'
The Reading Agency’s founder, Miranda McKearney, said: “Where better than your library to celebrate the awesome power of books to connect us to each other? Libraries’ precious presence at the heart of our communities makes us a civilised society and we’re working hard to make sure local people get the chance to experience the excitement of World Book Night in their library.”
This year’s titles are more varied than ever. Prize winners, bestsellers, classic tales, contemporary crime, quick reads and even a graphic novel - there is something for everyone, no matter what their interest or reading ability.
The 2013 Titles are:
1. The Secret Scripture
2. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (RHCB)
3. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier (HarperCollins)
4. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Hodder)
5. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (Vintage)
6. A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich (Yale)
7. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (Simon & Schuster)
8. Little Face by Sophie Hannah (Hodder)
9. Damage by Josephine Hart (Virago)
10. The Island by Victoria Hislop (Headline)
11. Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay (Picador)
12. Last Night Another Soldier… by Andy McNab (Transworld)
13. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (Penguin)
14. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Walker)
15. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (Orion)
16. No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Little, Brown)
17. Treasure Island by R. L. Stevenson (Penguin)
18. The Road Home by Rose Tremain (Vintage)
19. Judge Dredd: The Dark Judges by John Wagner (Rebellion)
20. Why be Happy When You Could be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson (Vintage)
- Hear poet Angela Chicken on our own previous podcast
- Hear Councillor Warwick Payne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure (and others) talking to bitternepark.info about the future of local libraries
- Southampton City Council has announced reductions to library opening hours from May 13 on its website, and libraries around the country are facing cuts, closure or transformation into voluntary enterprises; Shirley Burnham monitors press coverage on libraries and campaigns on her website, and there's more news on Public Libraries News.