You might think giving away books is a breeze. But in London -- as in any big city -- freebies are looked upon with suspicion. My strategy is to ambush the good people of West London, thrust a copy into their hesitant hand, then melt back into the crowd like a reverse pickpocket. If I'm feeling bold, I may even chuck a few books up into the air of a Tube station. If I manage to knock out a punter or two, they'll get to take home a copy. Who knew reading could be so much fun?
If you see a story on the BBC about book-related injuries, you'll know that my strategy has been successful. I want to make an impact! (Literally.)
*If World Book Night folk are reading this, not to worry. I will distribute my books with the ultimate graciousness and decorum, I promise. :)
Happy World Book night, everyone!
Thrust away lovely Talli!!!! How could anyone resist such a thing! :-)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously - have a great Book Night!! Take care
x
Hee hee! I hope you will also be enclosing a leaflet detailing all your own novels and books! It would be rude not to share that with people Talli...
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun...potential injuries aside, of course:)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun! Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteActually, it's not as easy as it seems. People do appear to be quite suspicious of something being given away as free don't they? I found a video on YouTube of one of the book givers last year who had that self same experience. I guess it's sad but true but that statement from our parents to 'never speak to strangers' seems to be coming back to haunt us. Hope you have fun, I'm off to the Watch House Cafe in West Bay in Dorset to celebrate instead - hopefully at least it won't be wet and everyone there will actually want a book too. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave fun! I can't think of anything better than getting a free book (but you can keep your germs to yourself :-P)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of World Book Night. Hope you feel better and your books are received with the spirit intended!
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea. Never thought of it. It should prove to be as rewarding to the people on the receiving end as it is to you.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun! Hope you feel better. Maybe add some cough syrup to your wine. lol
ReplyDeleteI loved the Time Traveler's Wife. It's such a shame that people are naturally suspicious of freebies, let alone that someone like you wants to pass on a copy of a book they loved. It's a pity you can't magically transport yourself in and out of places tonight while giving the books away - now that would really freak people out!
ReplyDeleteHave fun tonight, Talli!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, it wouldn't be London without rain.
On this side of the Atlantic, we happen to be getting snow, you know....
Hi Talli, hope you feel better soon. What a great book you've chosen-one of my favourites too-so beautifully written and originally structured.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in the Knotting Hill, Kensington areas in spite of your cold. Hope the crowd appreciates such a determined author! Great book to choose. Be well.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's funny how society has changed. I have to say, I would have to give a second look to someone giving something away for free because it's just not done anymore, is it?
ReplyDeleteAww man! How awesome is that?!
ReplyDeleteI would totally take a free book
Sounds a great idea - we could do with that downm here in Cornwall!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best of luck and fun giving away the free books. And I know exactly what you mean about people looking on something free with suspicion. As I drove along a main vein of our growing town, I saw a few folks with posters, shouting about free car washes. First thought was, "yeah, and what is the catch". It is hard, but perhaps you'll have so much fun the good folks with have you coughing, sneezing and dancing for joy.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know about this. Hope it goes well and that you're feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, fun! I will be watching for you on the news. Tee, hee. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon! :-)
ReplyDeleteJamie at Mithril Wisdom has participated in this before. Just give them your smile, Talli! (Try to keep the flu to yourself though.)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. I hope you have a great time Talli. I wish I could come along with you it sounds a hoot!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and I hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteTry not to brain anyone!
Lx
What a trooper! Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteHave a good night but take care if not feeling too well.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
That is so cool! You have to tell me how it goes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you're feeling much better!
I've never heard of this before - very cool! Have fun - don't get in any scraps and hope you feel better soon! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time doing it.
ReplyDeleteWill that be called a hit and run? I got fed up with the time travellers wife but you just reminded me I still have the film to watch on dvd so thanks.
ReplyDeleteHope you were able to give away all your books. Also hope you're feeling better today.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're not well, Talli, and heading out into that miserable London weather wouldn't help much. So hilarious that it'd be hard to give away copies of books but I get the drift. Even when we practise a RandomActofKindness and pay for the next person's coffee, it's, like, what's the catch? Well, we must get our laughs where we can.
ReplyDeleteLove Time Traveller's Wife. I'm currently re-reading it in between upsetting morning coffee drinkers, lol.
Denise
Sounds like fun, other than the flu! Good luck passing on some literary goodness.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Hope you give away lots of free books and also get rid of your cold.
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice of you to give books away, especially a good book like that one. I have to admit that I'm also sometimes suspicious when people in the neighborhood or downtown are giving stuff away, but that's partly because I think that living in the city for so long has made me suspicious of everything. I usually stop, though, when people are giving out free samples of food. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a successful Book Night and you're feeling better! Take care of yourself Talli! Julie
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the news and didn't hear you mentioned, so I'm assuming you had a great evening without knocking anyone out!
ReplyDeleteLOL... that's great!! I hope you made it thru unscathed. And hope you feel betters soon!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Time Traveller's Wife. I hope someone accepts it and I hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeletesounds like so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteHaha sounds like a brilliant plan! Can I join in? I LOVE The Time Traveller's Wife.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon x
I hope you're feeling better, Talli, and that you had fun at the event!!
ReplyDeleteLol, I can just see the headlines, "Woman hit by flying novel on the Piccadilly line".
ReplyDeleteTake care and get rid of that cold.
CJ x
Hope you recover soon Talli. It's miserable having the lurgy...
ReplyDeleteBut the book handout sounds fun! Not seen any reports of death by flying book yet...
I hope you had a great time and hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy World Book night. I'll be checking the news in the morning. : ) Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope World Book night went well, and that you are feeling better real soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've heard about this night. It sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling better.
Oh! Don't injure anyone! Otherwiise they may look at the book with hatred! *just kidding!*
ReplyDeleteRiya.
Can you drink wine as you do it?? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great night, Talli! Wish I could have been there to distribute with you (I can't believe Canada doesn't do World Book Night!). We were in London the day before, marathon day!
ReplyDelete