World Book Night giveaways

Devon libraries are handing out 300 free books on Wednesday, April 23, as World Book Night returns with a countywide push to reach adult readers. (news.exeter.gov.uk) St Thomas Library and Pinhoe Library in Exeter are among the branches giving away copies of *The Last Bench* by Irish novelist Carmel Harrington. Other participating libraries include Barnstaple, Tiverton, Paignton, Okehampton, Bideford and Appledore. (news.exeter.gov.uk, devontoday.com) The Devon giveaway is being run with The Reading Agency, the charity behind World Book Night in the United Kingdom. World Book Night takes place every year on April 23 and is aimed at adults and young people, with a 2026 theme tied to the National Year of Reading. (worldbooknight.org, worldbookday.com) This year’s campaign is built around Quick Reads, short books by well-known writers designed for adults who want an easier route back into reading. *The Last Bench* is one of six new Quick Reads titles released ahead of World Book Night 2026. (worldbooknight.org, thedevondaily.co.uk) Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs Devon’s public libraries, said some branches will hand out books during regular events while others will take them into town centres. The group also said 2026 marks 10 years since it was commissioned to run Devon County Council’s library service. (exmouthjournal.co.uk, wearesouthdevon.com) The print giveaway sits alongside a national audio push. The Reading Agency and Spotify said free-to-stream Quick Reads audiobooks would be available for World Book Night on April 23 as part of the same National Year of Reading campaign. (readingagency.org.uk) Local library organizers are framing the event around access as much as promotion. Devon library partners said readers can also use BorrowBox for free eBooks and eAudiobooks, and the Home Library Service delivers books to people who cannot get to a branch because of health, mobility or caring responsibilities. (devontoday.com) The giveaway lands as reading charities keep pointing to a gap between the benefits of reading and how many adults say they do not read books. Exeter City Council, citing YouGov data, said 40% of Britons had not read a book in the previous 12 months. (news.exeter.gov.uk) For Devon libraries, April 23 is a one-day free-book drop with a longer brief behind it: get a short novel into someone’s hands, and make the next book easier to reach. (news.exeter.gov.uk, readingagency.org.uk)