World Book Night 2013

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World Book Night is nearly upon us.  This is a yearly event that takes place on the 23rd April (Shakespeare's birth and death day) across the country.  It is a time to celebrate the brilliance that is reading.  World Book Night is designed to encourage people to immerse themselves in books (not that there really needs to be a reason - books are great!).  For more information, you can have a looksee at the World Book Night website.

Lowestoft Library is holding an event for World Book Night.  Last year was really successful, so we're hoping this year will follow suit.  One of the best parts of the night (in my opinion) is the dressing up.  This is purely optional, so don't let that put you off if dressing up isn't your thing.  As it's World Book Night, people dress up as literary characters or authors.

Indiana Jones, Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, Little Red Riding Hood

Last year there was a great array of characters; The Cat in the Hat, The Wicked Witch of the West, playing cards from Alice in Wonderland, Miss Marple, Pinkie from Brighton Rock.  I dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood, and this year I will be Christopher Robin.

We've got so much going on this year.  The Great Book Swap started about a week ago.  There is a table in the library covered in books.  You take along a book you've read and loved, and leave it on the table.  You then take a book from the table.  You can read it and keep it, or bring it back to swap for something else.

We also have the book tree.  By the main desk in the library, there is a giant tree covered in leaves.  People have written the name of their favourite book on the leaf and a brief paragraph outlining why they liked it, and have pinned it to the tree.  If you'd like to do this, please ask a member of the library staff for a leaf.  I took this photo a while ago, so it looks a bit empty, but when I was in the library on Saturday (without my camera) it was covered in leaves.  I will take a better picture when I'm next in the library.

Update - the tree is filling up, which is great, so if you haven't written a leaf, get yourself down to the library and do it!

We have a busy night planned for the actual night.

5pm - 7pm - World Book Night Book Givings

From 5pm, in the library, a number of people will be giving out free books.  Each year, World Book Night selects various books that will be given out on the night.  At the end of last year a lot of us registered to be book givers.  We choose from the list of World Book Night books, and this year I will be giving out The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fford.  I read this book when I was at university, many many years ago, and really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to sharing my love of this book with the unsuspecting public.  

7pm - 8pm - Quiz

Like last year, we will be holding a quiz; literary based, of course.  If you want to take part in the quiz, you need to book up NOW!  Get it touch with a member of staff at Lowestoft Library.  It costs £1 per person to take part in the quiz, with a maximum of 6 people per team.

8pm - 8:30pm - Raffle and Readings

At 8pm there will be an interval.  During this time, members of Lowestoft Library Writers' Group will read short pieces of their own work.  Alongside this, we will be selling (and drawing) raffle tickets.  The prizes this year are very special.  We are giving away signed copies of books written by local authors.  A lot of authors have donated their books for prizes (myself included), which is great.

8:30pm - 9pm - Quiz

The second part of the quiz will take place between 8:30pm and 9pm, with winners announced at the end, and prizes given.

9pm - 9:30pm - Readings by Torchlight

Members of Lowestoft Library staff will read passages of their favourite books to end the evening's events.

All funds raised from the evening will go to The Friends of Lowestoft Library, who will use the money to help the library continue its great work in the community.

So, things to remember if you want to join in with the World Book Night shenanigans at Lowestoft Library -

• Pop into the library to write your favourite book on a leaf and pin it to the book tree
• Take along a book you've read, and swap it for another book from the Book Swap table
• Get your quiz team together (maximum 6 people, £1 per person) and contact the library to register
• Hunt through your wardrobe for a costume (optional)
• Get yourselves to Lowestoft Library on Tuesday 23rd April from 5pm to pick up a free World Book Night Book
• Bring your own refreshments for yourself/your team
• Have fun

Hope to see you there!

Please feel free to print off these posters and display them in your windows or pass them on to a friend.