This is a very quick blog post to remind everyone that World Book Night is on 23 April, with #ReadingHour from 7-8pm (BST). Is this an international event or just ‘a thing’ in the UK? I don’t know but wherever you are in the world, I hope that you would like to join in. If you go to the World Book Night website, you can find out all the details – plus how to get a free audiobook and ebook, sign up to online events, get reading ideas and more! This year’s theme is Books To Make You Smile.
I think you can guess the author I will be reading on World Book Night, but I haven’t decided yet which Mary Stewart to read. Which Mary Stewart book makes you smile? Will you join in on World Book Night?
Mary Queen of Plots 
I have never heard of world book night but thank you so much for the shout out! I will definitely participate and spread the word.
Since the theme is books that make you smile… The one I started last night Jim Herriot’s All creatures great and Small will definitely fit the bill.
As far as what is the funniest Mary Stewart I would have to say my most recent read of the Gabriel hounds… I loved the self talk of the heroine Christabel and the banter between her and Charles was so fun! I laughed out loud on several sections in the book. And of course that ending scene finale extravaganza was beyond hilarious!
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Nice choices, I haven’t read James Herriot in years but I remember his books as heart-warming and humorous, and yes I agree The Gabriel Hounds has some funny scenes. The Mary Stewart I first think of as making me laugh is My Brother Michael – I think I’ve written somewhere on this blog about how I accidentally LOLed in a *silent* National Library of Scotland reading room while reading in the manuscript about Camilla’s driving 🤗
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I love World Book Night and have it on my calendar. I’m so glad you’re spreading the word and that you’re back to blogging again.
It would be fun to read a Stewart novel “with” you and this community that night. The problem, of course, is that ALL of Stewart’s books probably make us smile. Rather like trying to choose a favorite flower…too many choices!
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I think that is true, and even if we chose a book how would we choose a time zone to suit?! Just taken a look at my blog stats for April – most readers are from the US and UK but also 35 other countries including Australia, NZ, S Africa, UAE etc…
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I’ll be reading Frost on the Window. No murder mystery or exhilarating history there; just lovely, thought provoking poetry.
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Lovely choice.
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I would love to join in but I live in Los Angeles. I hope I will find the info I need on the website to be part of the reading.
Frankly, a gem of a part is in “Airs Above the Ground”, when the heroine sees the old hair-dyed horse in the field responding to the music he used to dance by in his younger glory days. It’s an aha! moment for her as this is when she realizes that the horse is an old Lipizzaner and had been stolen and camouflaged with dye. I took my kids to see a show of these horses in Northern Vermont and it was indeed amazing to see what these huge animals can do (although frankly I am very opposed to using animals for entertainment in this way).
The dolphin rescuing the heroine in “This Rough Magic” is a beautiful passage but not one to laugh at as she only narrowly escaped death.
Since discovering Allison’s site I have been revisiting the books I enjoyed as a young adult…so much fun! Thank you!
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These are great moments in those books, Debbie, and I’m guessing by your selections that you love animals as Mary Stewart did?
To join in with World Book Night, really the idea is just to take time to read on the 23rd, whether that is at 7pm BST (11am your time?) or at whatever time best suits you – and obviously I personally would love to think of us reading Mary Stewart. And it would be wonderful if on the 23rd/24th you (or anyone reading this) wanted to share your thoughts on what you have read.
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I have never heard of world book night either but any excuse to sit down and read any Mary Stewart book for an hour is welcome. I will definitely participate and spread the word.
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Excellent, thanks Diane!
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World book night is new to me also. But I’m always ready for a bit of ‘required’ reading. Although it will be 2 pm EST for me. A lovely time for a cup of tea and an hour of reading. One of my favorite scenes is from ‘The Gabriel Hounds” when a group of tourist mistaken Christy and Charles for poverty-stricken locals. A truly delightful encounter!
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Glad to hear you are up for this, Nan, that will be a lovely passage to read.
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