MORE than 1,300 books will be given to people across Newcastle tomorrow (April 23), plus a further 11,300 in Yorkshire.

It's Unesco international day of the book and Shakespeare’s birthday, so 250,000 books of 20 specially-printed World Book Night titles will be handed out by a network of volunteer reading enthusiasts and institutions around the UK, focusing on reaching the 35 per cent of the population who, for whatever reason, don’t read for pleasure.

More than 70 passionate book lovers from Newcastle and 630 from Yorkshire have successfully applied to be World Book Night volunteers.

This year’s list includes bestsellers like Lynda La Plante’s Prime Suspect, David Almond’s Skellig, Roddy Doyle’s Quick Read Dead Man Talking, Rachel Joyce’s The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Moaning of Life by Karl Pilkington.

The Northern Echo:

Gateshead Central Library is hosting author Jennifer Klinec and her book The Temporary Bride. This event is free. Book tickets on 0191-433-8420. Holy Trinity Church in Sunderland is hosting a Murder Mystery Night with Theatre Space North East. Tickets are free and available from the City Library and Arts Centre.

Local authors Karen Perkins, Rose Marie Shaw, Morag Macrae, Pam E Currie and illustrator Fiona Odle will be at Knaresborough Library, reading from their books and answering questions. Tickets are free and refreshments will be provided from 7pm.

The Ryedale Book Festival is joining with Malton Library to host a special late opening at the library. Drop in between 6-8pm for drinks and nibbles, plus the chance to pick up a fantastic new book.

Libraries at Billingham, Helmsley, Houghton, Kirkbymoorside, Knaresborough, Newcastle City, Newcastle University, Teesside University, York and the White Rose BookCafe at Thirsk are all staging evening events.

More details on Twitter (@worldbooknight), or worldbooknight.org

Viv Hardwick