London, 31 July 2007: Six reading groups across the UK have been shortlisted for this year's Penguin/Orange Broadband Readers' Group Prize; the UK's only annual award for reading groups.
Now in its sixth year, the aim of the prize is to find the reading groups that illustrate individuality, reflect diversity of reading choices and demonstrate the pleasure of shared reading.
The six shortlisted reading groups are:
• The Rugeley Book Club, (Staffordshire). This mixed group was formed four years ago in response to the lack of arts facilities in the small ex-mining town and has now expanded to over 20 members.
• St Mawgan Readers' Group, (Cornwall). This all female group began meeting in the local 16th century pub two-and-a-half years ago. They have flourished and are now promoting reading by fundraising for local schools and Book Aid International.
• The Book Gluttons, (London). This mixed group of all ages started just over a year ago in London in Victoria Library. The group meets the needs of commuters who would otherwise get home too late to join a local reading group.
• The Book Groupies, (Lincoln). This mixed group of five members has gone from being acquaintances to true friends over the past seven years and the book group has become an important part of all their lives.
• Books on the Broad, (Oxford). This mixed group of all ages meets in a local bookshop where they discuss novels from around the world as well as the history and culture which informs the writing.
• VIP Readers' Group, (Kent). This mixed group has been meeting for less than a year. All the members are visually impaired and the book group has helped build new friendships.
Entrants were asked where they meet, what they read, how they choose their members and what their reading group means to them. Entrants were also asked to write up to 500 words about what makes their reading group special.
The judging panel for the Penguin/Orange Broadband Readers' Group Prize 2007 consists of:
- Kate Jones, literary agent, founder of the Penguin readers group website, (Chair)
- Nicci Gerrard, Penguin author and one half of crime writing duo Nicci French
- Professor Jenny Hartley, Roehampton University, Author of The Reading Groups Book
- Guy Pringle, publisher of newbooks magazine
- Clare Chandler, of the reading group website, www.bookgroupinfo.co.uk
- Dymphna Flynn, producer of Radio 4's Book Club
- Jane Mathieson, Regional Reader Development Co-ordinater for Time to Read
Kate Jones, literary agent and Chair of judges commented; “""We had the most difficult choices we've ever had to make - it was the strongest ever shortlist and all the judges were inspired by the range and enthusiasm shown by each group.”
The winning group will be announced on 28th August and first prize will be a day at Penguin's central London office for the winning group. The prize will include meeting editors and publicists, lunch and a reading group session with a Penguin author. Second prize winners will receive two sets of the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction 2007 shortlisted books.
Scott Jacobson, Director of Communications at Orange, commented: ""The prize forms an integral part of Orange's portfolio of literary partnerships, which includes the flagship Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction. The aim of the prize is to support and encourage enjoyment of reading at a grassroots level across the UK.”
Louisa Symington, Publicity Director, Generic PR, commented: ""We're delighted this year with the wide variety of entrants - some from very rural communities in Cornwall, to an inner city group in London to a visually impaired group in Kent. This shows the tremendous power books have to unite people through a love of reading.”
All six entries are up on the Readers' Group Prize website (www.readersgroupprize.com).
For further information:
For further press information:
Naomi Li at M&C Saatchi: Tel: 0207 544 3687 Email: naomi.li@mcsaatchi.com
Or Louisa Symington at Penguin
Press release: Sponsorship & Entertainment, Orange Prize For Fiction
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