Slightly Foxed

Another excellent place with whom we have an affinity--Slightly Foxed-- has written very warmly about us. Thank you, Slightly Foxed. And all good things to you in the New Year.

The Reader org

The excellent Reader org has blogged about Give a Book. Thank you so much. They have a saying on their website: "You need it, you just don't need it." We're sure we have a natural affinity.

Give a Book for Christmas

The always admirable National Literacy Trust has just published one of their dismaying reports about declining literacy standards and the correlation between literacy and having books in the home. 1 in 3 UK homes have no books. That's 3.8 million children who don't have a book of their own. We can all help them in their work to change this by going here to help give the gift of reading for Christmas.

'Every printed page is a swinging door,' David Gascoyne

‘Every printed page is a swinging door’ David Gascoyne

“While every printed page is a swinging door/ Through which one can pass in either of two directions/ On one’s way towards oblivion.” From David Gascoyne, “Elegiac Improvisations on the Death of Paul Eluard” quoted by James Fergusson for his catalogue of books from the library of David & Judy Gascoyne

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jul/03/david-gascoyne-poetry-kate-middleton

Blake Morrison on The Healing Power of Reading

There's a wonderful article by Blake Morrison published in The Guardian in 2008 on The Healing Power of Reading.

Florence Nightingale and Reading Rooms

Florence Nightingale introduced reading rooms into hospitals. As important as opening the windows.

http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/995-103116

http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/cms/index.php/visitor-info

I prefer reading

Lyn at I Prefer Reading kindly blogged about Give a Book in the summer. Great photo on the site and quote too: "Some people say life is the thing, but I prefer reading." Logan Pearsall Smith.