BBC Two announces partnership with World Book Night

BBC Two today announces its partnership with World Book Night, the biggest ever book giveaway. The charity initiative invites 20,000 passionate book-lovers to give away up to one million books on the inaugural World Book Night on Saturday 5 March 2011.

BBC Two will broadcast the event in March as part of a evening devoted to books and tonight’s Culture Show (at 7pm) will report on today’s announcement of the project, extending the invitation to become book-givers to BBC audiences.

Following a nationwide call to the UK book trade for recommendations, of which hundreds of lists were received, an independent editorial committee of industry professionals and cultural commentators, including the BBC’s Creative Director Alan Yentob, were invited by World Book Night to refine the list of books that givers can choose from, to just 25 titles.

Mark Bell, Arts Commissioning Editor of the BBC, says: “Reading and sharing a good book is a pleasure enjoyed by millions of people in this country so it is fitting that the BBC, as part of its continued commitment to literature and reading, partners with World Book Night.”

Alan Yentob, Creative Director, BBC, and member of the World Book Night editorial committee, adds: "BBC Two will host World Book Night from its inception on 2 December through to the event itself on 5 March.

“Whether as a giver, recipient or viewer, we hope that BBC audiences will be inspired to get involved with this ground-breaking project.”


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The independent editorial committee comprises of a broad mix of 28 industry professionals: booksellers, librarians, authors and broadcasters.

The final 25 books selected offers a wide array of outstanding literature encompassing all types of fiction be it historical, literary, crime as well as poetry and memoir.