London’s BIG READ Launches on World Book Day

World Book Day marks the launch of London’s BIG READ, a new campaign that encourages Londoners to pick up books with potential to ignite social change. LIBRARY  will host London’s BIG READ in a month-long programme of talks and panel discussions with authors and literary figures, as well as special events in partnership with local libraries.

Among London’s most exciting authors, those participating in the festivities are June Sarpong, star of The Apprentice Bianca Miller-Cole with fellow entrepreneur Byron Cole, as well as the writer, journalist and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, historian and broadcaster David Olusog, former boxing champion Kevin Lueshing and actor Paterson Joseph.

Celebrate Books This Month with London’s BIG READ

The BIG READ will focus on six non-fiction titles by London-based authors. The books have been nominated for their bold approach towards topical subjects such as identity, equality and entrepreneurship in the UK. LIBRARY will open its doors to non-members during the BIG READ and every book purchased from the club will come with a free cocktail made using Bimber London Vodka and Dry Gin and inspired by the authors of London’s Big Read titles.

Other Cultural Affairs in 2018 that We’re Excited About

The six nominated books include:

Self Made by Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole (Published by John Murray, 2017)

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsh (Published by Penguin, 2018)

Julius Caesar and Me by Paterson Joseph (Published by Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2018)

Belt Boy by Kevin Lueshing and Mike Dunn (Published by Austin Macauley, 2016)

Black and British by David Olusoga (Published by Pan Macmillan, 2017)

Diversify by June Sarpong (Published by Harper Collins, 2017)

The authors will be in conversation as follows: June Sarpong on the 9^th, David Olusoga and Afua Hirsh on the 13^th, Kevin Lueshing and Mike Dunn on the 20^th, Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole on the 22^nd and Paterson Joseph on the 29^th. The events are free and tickets will be available to reserve at LIBRARY.

The six nominated books will be available to buy from LIBRARY throughout the month of March, with £2 from each sale going to two children’s charities: Room to Read, a non-profit organisation supporting girls’ education and literacy and Ndoro Children’s Charities, which supports education for children in underprivileged parts of the world.

LIBRARY will be inviting 600 Londoners to come and exchange their well-worn books for one of London’s BIG READ’s shortlisted publications. The front doors of LIBRARY will be open to the public for one day only from 8:30am until 8:30pm on 1 March. All swapped books will be donated to Ndoro Children’s Charities.

What else are we getting up to this week? Follow us around with our trusty Town Culture Diary.