World Book Night 2011

World Book Night 2011

I saw this on the news at the weekend, and  friend has helpfully posted the link to the application. This first World Book Night will take place in the UK next year on 5th March and the organisers are arranging for people to give away copies of thier chosen book on that night for free. The books to be given away are:

• Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
• The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
• A Life Like Other People’s by Alan Bennett
• The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré
• Killing Floor by Lee Child
• The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
• New Selected Poems by Seamus Heaney
• Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hahmed
• Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre
• Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Stuart by Alexander Masters
• A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• One Day by David Nicholls
• Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
• Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
• Toast by Nigel Slater
• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

I'm happy to see a good mix of books on the list, and even some poetry. You have to be over 18 and in the UK to apply to be a giver and I'm toying with the idea. One of the main reasons behind the event is to get books to people who wouldn't usually get them and encourage reading. I think everyone should read, because there will be something out there that you enjoy reading and when youi find a book like that its brilliant. You don't have to like what I like, or read the stuff that was forced on you in high school.

Of course the question is should I apply to be a giver? I'm working late at an event on Saturday 5th March, but that might be a good oportunity to give away some of the books as its a public event. If I do apply, what book do I want to give away and how do I get the book to a wide range of people who wouldn't normally read it?

What do you guys think? If you're not in the UK, what would you do if you were eligable? If you are in the UK, will you be applying? Check the link in the caption for more information.