Sandi Toksvig to host live stream for World Book Night's 10th anniversary

Sandi Toksvig will be among the big names supporting World Book Night later this month.

The comedian and presenter will be joined by the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro and Kate Mosse on a live stream as the event celebrates its 10th anniversary on 23 April.

The online event will be themed around “Books To Make You Smile”, in response to the impact of the previous year.

We have a busy night planned for 23 April that you can join for free! Our programme brings you a host of authors including Kazuo Ishiguro, @katemosse, @DavidNWriter and @BeeBabs, as well as the return of the #ReadingHour. pic.twitter.com/ZIIThWfvub

Streaming in partnership with The British Library, Toksvig will be joined by authors David Nicholls and Bolu Babalola, as well as the founder of the event Jamie Byng.

Elsewhere during the event, The Remains Of The Duty writer Kazuo Ishiguro will chat to Mosse about his new book Klara and the Sun, and discuss the impact of his writing on readers.

A new collection of short stories has been commissioned for the event by The Reading Agency, and will feature contributions from comedians and writers such as Mark Watson, Jenny Eclair, Richard Madeley and Helen Lederer.

Some 3,000 copies of the collection are being given away through competitions, while free versions of the e-book will be available to download on the day.

On top of that, the audiobook will be narrated by Hugh Bonneville, Samantha Bond and Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh.

People will be encouraged to join-in with Reading Hour once more this year too.

Toksvig said: “I am so excited to be the lead ambassador for The Reading Agency’s World Book Night 2021 campaign, bringing the nation together to celebrate the power of books and reading on Friday 23rd April.

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“This year marks the campaign’s 10th anniversary and it feels more important than ever to celebrate the power of reading to inspire, entertain and challenge.

“We all could do with some light relief from reality which is why this year’s theme Books To Make You Smile is so perfect.”

Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “We’re hugely excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Book Night with such a fantastic array of events.

“Given the challenges of the past year, our theme feels particularly resonant and we’re immensely grateful for the support from authors, publishers, bookshops and libraries to help spread the proven power of reading.

“We plan for this year’s World Book Night to be the biggest and best yet and look forward to celebrating the Reading Hour with people across the country, ahead of what we’re sure will be a brilliant livestreamed event at The British Library – which is sure to make us all smile!”

World Book Night will be held on 23 April.

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