I’ve just collected my World Book Night 2012 books from the library. I have 24 copies of The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic
by Sophie Kinsella to distribute on Monday 23rd April. In my application to be a ‘giver’ I said that I would distribute them in the casualty department of my local hospital – so that’s where I’ll be on Monday.
The purpose of World Book Night is to give away books to those who don’t regularly read, and thus spread the love of reading. According to the World Book Night website, “the aim is to reach and inspire those who have never discovered the value of reading”.
So I’m hoping to find lots of bored ladies waiting in casualty who might be persuaded to give reading a try. I need females because Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series is essentially a chick-lit novel that I can’t see many men enjoying – but maybe they’ll take a copy home for their wife or girlfriend.
But before I can get stuck into the giving I have to write in the front of each book – my name, where I collected the books from and the book’s unique identifying number (this is logged via the World Book Night website each time the book is passed on so that its journey can be traced). I’ve written in 8 books so far and its becoming a bit of a chore – but maybe I should look upon it as practice for that book-signing that I might do one day far in the future!
Next week I’ll let you know how I got on with the giving – and if there are any other ‘givers’ (or ‘receivers’) out there, do let me know how you get on.
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by blogaboutwriting on April 19, 2012 - 2:29 pm
Sally, you are very brave to be venturing into the casualty dept! Eek – I’d be scared of seeing blood. But it could give you some good ideas for a story, perhaps! Anyway, good luck with your very worthy task – I’m sure it will be fun too! I love that book and it’s nice to think that you’re giving something away that hopefully will make people laugh and forget about their problems and pain for a while!
#2 by Sally Jenkins on April 19, 2012 - 7:49 pm
Helen – I never thought there might be blood! Now you’ve put me off…
#3 by juliathorley on April 19, 2012 - 2:40 pm
Sally, I’m a giver of ‘Rebecca’. I’m giving the copies to the (mostly) ladies who come to my yoga classes. (I also had that feeling of an author doing a book-signing!)
#4 by Sally Jenkins on April 19, 2012 - 7:50 pm
Julia – Rebecca is one of my favourite books. Your yoga class ladies are in for a treat!
#5 by journeyofjordannaeast on April 19, 2012 - 3:26 pm
I wish I had fictional books on hand to participate in something like this. Sounds really cool.
#6 by Sally Jenkins on April 19, 2012 - 7:51 pm
Jordanna – may be you can sign up next year.
#7 by journeyofjordannaeast on April 19, 2012 - 7:52 pm
Sounds good!
#8 by susanjanejones on April 19, 2012 - 6:51 pm
How exciting Sally, good luck, hope you get lots of interest going.
#9 by Sally Jenkins on April 19, 2012 - 7:51 pm
Thanks, Susan.
#10 by Vikki (The View Outside) on April 20, 2012 - 6:55 am
Good luck Sally 🙂
Picking up mine today lol
Xx
#11 by Sally Jenkins on April 20, 2012 - 12:04 pm
Hope it goes well for you too, Vicki.
#12 by Ceinwenn on April 22, 2012 - 12:57 pm
Good luck Sally! I too was chosen as a giver – my book of choice being The Time Traveller’s Wife. I had to do my giveaways yesterday because I’m now not able to do it on Monday & I have to say it was…….interesting! People really were skeptical of my motives & I got a lot of grief. I’d do it all again though!
#13 by Sally Jenkins on April 22, 2012 - 7:13 pm
Hi Ceinwann – I was hoping that people would welcome me with open arms if I was giving out free books, but maybe that won’t be the case! Glad to hear that you’d do it again though. I haven’t rwead the Time Traveller’s Wife but thought the film was great.
#14 by Ceinwenn on April 22, 2012 - 7:28 pm
The film was great, Sally, but as usually is the case, the book was far better! Althought, that being said, I did prefer the ending in the movie to the ending in the book.
I hope that people are more accepting that free book really does mean free book, no strings attached.