Saturday, March 05, 2011

World Book Night, One million Book Giveaway


So, it's the first World Book Night tonight, and the organisation aims to give away one million books. There are 25 titles being given away, and folks wanted to be part of the process were invited to make contact a few months ago, indicating which book they'd like to give away and why.

I applied, and asked to distribute the book "One Day" by David Nicholls. I'd picked up a copy whilst on holiday a couple of months ago, a friend had suggested it, and said there would be a particular reason I'd like it.

It's a book that is set on July 15th, St Swithin's Day, my birthday, and follows the relationship of two very different kind of people. It wasn't the usual kind of book I'd read, but I found it terrifically moving, very funny, and quite insightful about human relationships, life, and slowly growing older. Here's the blurb from the World Book Night site:


I can imagine you at forty,’ she said, a hint of malice in her voice. ‘I can picture it right now.’ 
He smiled without opening his eyes. ‘Go on then.’ 
15 July 1988. On their last day at Edinburgh University, Emma Morley wakes up next to Dexter Mayhew. She prides herself on her social commitment. He prides himself on his ability to extricate himself from one-night stands. 
This time, however, things get more complicated. They decide to spend the day together. They are completely mismatched. The timing is all wrong. They’re better off as friends. But from that one day grows a complicated friendship; a strange and tangled love story that weaves their disparate lives together.
So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? 
Every year on 15 July we spend a day with Emma and Dexter. From these snapshots we build up a collage of two flawed people, struggling to find their place in the world and working out what they mean to each other. 
One Day is a funny/sad love story spanning twenty years, a book about growing up – how we change, how we stay the same…


Well, I have collected my books, and have 48 to give away. A few folks got wind of this earlier and have bagged a copy, but that means I have at least 45 copies to give away. If you want one then comment on this blog, and include an email address if you don't think I'll have yours. Preference will be given to folks local to Wolverhampton, or those I'll see in the immanent future.

Happy reading!

17 comments:

jonbru said...

Certainly up for a copy!

mazzer said...

Sounds like my cup of tea... maybe you could send one to sunny BH - by post if necessary - or with a lovely friend at some random point in the summer.......

Kay wheatcroft said...

Yes please. It sounds interesting.

Juliet said...

Me please :-) Will give me something to read in Blackpool!

hollie* said...

I think I'd like one Jonathan! Ellis and I could share it! Would take me a lot longer to read it than him though :)

Tim Judson said...

Looks very intriguing mate. I'll take any recommendation you suggest, still working through the Jimmy Carter one about Palestine too. My email is tim.judson@hotmail.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Chris Fagg says yes please - will be just right for my hols.

Jonathan said...

Chris, when's your holiday? I can send you a copy with whoever comes to Assembly in may..

build-a-bear said...

Oooh please. Always up for another book to add to our bookshelves!

Smoffi said...

ok that last comment would be me not TJ.. didn't realise my machine was logged into her google account!

Donald NÖE Clankenstein said...

and me please

David O'Brien said...

Oooh yes please - I've heard its good

worthlessidle@hotmail.co.uk

How marvellous!

aliciamarie911 said...

This book sounds amazing! You've sparked my attention...got a copy still?

Jonathan said...

aliciamarie911, email your contact details to jon.somerville (at) gmail.com

I do have a couple of spare copies.

aliciamarie911 said...

Happy Birthday! I remembered reading that the book begins on your birthday (July 15).

Jonathan said...

thank you, Alicia, that's very kind

aliciamarie911 said...

Just finished the book! I couldn't put it down! I'm quite sad that I've finished it, but I guess that means I have to read it again (AND watch the movie!). Thanks again for the book. Great choice!
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