Give A Book: giving the benefits of reading

Our Reading Revolution is all about spreading the culture of shared reading to everyone, but especially to the members of society who can benefit most from the healing and health-giving power of literature. That's why we're delighted to hear about the work of a new charitable initiative that puts books directly into the hands of people at times in their lives when they really need the boost that reading can so powerfully provide.

Give A Book donates the gift of books to other charities, giving books where they are most needed - at present, they give books to people helped by Maggie's Centres, Age Concern, First Story and also work with Volunteer Reading Help to help children who are struggling with literacy. People who wish to donate a book can select from a list of books on the Give A Book website, which will be sent to the chosen charities for a fraction of the retail price.

The list contains such wonderful classics as Great Expectations, Cranford, Anna Karenina and Middlemarch and is added to every month with a new book recommended by a range of very interesting people - books of the month have previously been chosen by friend of The Reader Organisation Howard Jacobson, Dominic West and winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize Julian Barnes. Children's books of the month are also selected, with the first choice coming with a royal seal of approval from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Give A Book was set up in honour of writer and playwright Simon Gray, who loved to read and share his reading with others.

...I could escape for as long as I was reading... (Coda, Simon Gray)

To find out more about Give A Book or to donate a book, visit their website and take a look at the Give A Book blog.