World Book Day 2018: London's Big Read wants to get the capital talking about six great books

Londoners looking to celebrate World Book Day, look no further: today marks the launch of a major new initiative to get the capital reading a diverse range of brilliant authors.

London’s Big Read is a new campaign that features a month-long programme of events around six exciting new reads.

The featured books are six non-fiction titles, all by London-based authors and nominated for their positive impact on society and culture.

They are:

Self-Made by Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole, a handbook for anyone thinking about setting up their own business.

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch, a personal and provocative exploration of British history, race, identity and belonging.

Julius Caesar and Me by Paterson Joseph, a record of Joseph’s experience playing Brutus in Julius Caesar and working with a majority black cast.

Belt Boy by Kevin Lueshing and Mike Dunn, an account of Lueshing’s life as British boxing champion following a traumatic childhood.

Black and British by David Olusoga, a re-examination of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa, which was recently made into a BBC TV series.

Diversify by June Sarpong, a call to arms that puts the spotlight on marginalised groups and looks at how they can overcome societal challenges.

Each author will take part in a discussion event at LIBRARY in Covent Garden, and all tickets are free - you simply need to reserve through their website. You can buy copies of the books there, too - and every sale will see £2 donated to two charities supporting literacy for underprivileged children. AND... you’ll get a free cocktail with every book purchased.

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As part of today’s World Book Day celebrations, you can also head down to LIBRARY from any time until 8.30pm and swap one of your current books for one of the shortlisted publications.

And look out on your journey home - each author will be leaving a number of copies of their book on tubes and trains, with a handwritten note encouraging them to pass the book on.

For more information about London’s Big Read, which runs until March 31, visit bigread.london

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