'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.

Everyman's Library

Give a Book has received a wonderfully generous donation from Everyman's Library

Thank you to David Campbell and all at Everyman for their support.

Why is reading important?

In his July article (see earlier post) Charles Moore asked "Why is reading important?"

"Read in order to live." Gustave Flaubert, letter to Mlle de Chantepie, June 1857.

Volunteer Reading Help

Give a Book is now working in conjunction with Volunteer Reading Help to give books to children who struggle with literacy. They believe that every child deserves the opportunity to develop to their full potential and literacy is essential to achieving this in both education and in life.

Give a Book to a Child through Give a Book. Every month a special guest suggests a new book to give.

New research, obtained exclusively by The (London) Standard, reveals that one in three children does not have a book of their own at home…

Regular access to books has a direct impact on pupils’ results, irrespective of parents’ own education, occupation and social class, it was claimed in a major study which analysed more than 70,000 people in 27 countries to gauge the effect of family circumstances on educational chances. The report – published in the journal Research in Social Stratification and Mobility – also revealed that having as few as 20 books in the home still had an impact.

The results of this study indicate that getting some books into their homes is an inexpensive way that we can help these children succeed. Even a little bit goes a long way.