1,000 copies of Mike Gayle’s book, Brand New Friend, were handed out free of charge in Bromley high street on Saturday as part of Bromley’s National Year of Reading campaign to change attitudes to all types of reading and get more people reading for pleasure.
Mike Gayle is the author of seven best-selling lad-lit novels. His books have been described as “Bridget Jones for the boys” and “full of belly-laughs and painfully acute observations”. Library staff took to the streets to talk to shoppers about Mike’s book, encouraging them to read it and then pass it on to friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues.
Bromley’s Head of Libraries, David Brockhurst, said: “We want to create a real buzz about reading in all its forms, whether it’s books or blogs, newspapers or novels. By giving free books away in different venues across the borough, we hope to get more people to discover the joy of reading, read something different and talk about it with their friends. During this national Year of Reading we’re calling on everyone to make reading a part of their everyday lives.”
Readers will get to meet Mike and talk with him about his book when he visits Bromley Central Library on Saturday 14 June 2008 from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. Free tickets are available on a first come, first served basis from the Central Library or by telephoning 020 8460 9955. His visit is part of The Blurb, Bromley first festival of books and reading organised by the library service. Details of all events for adults and children are listed in a handy festival guide available from all Bromley libraries.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Brand New Friend: When Rob's new girlfriend asks him to leave London and live with her in Manchester, it means leaving behind his best mate in the entire world. Believing that love conquers all and confident that he'll meet new mates, Rob takes the plunge. Six months in, and yet to find so much as a regular drinking buddy, Rob realises that sometimes making friends in your thirties can be the hardest thing to do. With drastic action needed, his girlfriend places an ad in the classifieds for him. Three excruciatingly embarrassing "bloke dates" later, he's on the verge of despair... until his luck changes. There's just one problem. Apart from knowing less than nothing about music trivia, football, and the vital statistics of supermodels, Rob's new friend has a huge flaw. She's a girl.
Mike Gayle is a former NME journalist and agony uncle and now the author of seven best-selling novels including Turning Thirty and Brand New Friend. His new romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here, is a wise and witty tale of women, mates and the perils of cheap sambuca. More information at www.mikegayle.co.uk. A photograph of Mike Gayle and jacket image of Brand New Friend is available from ian.dodds@bromley.gov.uk.
The 2008 National Year of Reading is a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms. It will help to build a greater national passion for reading – for children, families and adult learners alike. The Year will encourage people to read in businesses, homes, and communities around the country, providing new opportunities to read and helping people to access help and support through schools and libraries. Campaigns and activities throughout the year will inspire everyone to read more, with a focus on reluctant readers, those with low confidence, and boys and dads. The Year will promote reading as an enjoyable activity which is everywhere and is not just about books: it is about reading anything, anywhere and anytime. More information at www.yearofreading.org.uk.
Photograph attached: Resident, Alistair Barnes, collects a free copy of Mike Gayle’s book, Brand New Friend, in Bromley town centre from librarians Paula Young and Kate Farmer.
For media enquiries, please contact Ann Clay on 020 8313 4391 or email ann.clay@bromley.gov.uk.