Free books for York residents

English Literature students from York St John University are sharing their passion for the written word by giving away free books to York residents at St Deny’s Church on Walmgate, between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesday 23 April, as part of World Book Night.

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers gift specially chosen and printed WBN books in their communities to share their love of reading.

Second year English Literature student, Jocelyn Habberley, is one of the students organising the event as part of a work-based module ‘Working With Words’ which aims to enhance employability in York St John University literature students. She said: “We want our event to celebrate reading. Our aim is to encourage people who aren’t regular readers and perhaps people who love reading but have fallen out of the habit of doing so, to enjoy a really good book which will hopefully encourage them to read more in the future. We’re really looking forward to sharing our love for books with everyone who attends.”

York residents who would like to read more are welcome to attend the event where the students will be on hand to describe the books, which include The Ladies No1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman and Last Night Another Soldier by Andy Mcnab, and offer some recommendations.

The York St John students are also donating books to York Hospital and the Arc Light Homeless Centre as part of World Book Night.