Readers' Group Prize 2007
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The Penguin & Orange Readers' Group Prize 2007 - The Winners!
The Books on the Broad Reading Group from Oxford has won the 2007 Penguin & Orange Readers' Group Prize. As part of their prize, the reading group received a visit from author Naomi Alderman who led a session on her book, Disobedience (Penguin). You can see how she fared with Books on the Broad by clicking here.
Now in its sixth year, the aim of the prize is to find reading groups that illustrate individuality, reflect diversity of reading choices and demonstrate the pleasure of shared reading.
Books on the Broad is a mixed group of all ages and includes housewives, a mathematician, a political sociologist and a school governor. The group hold their monthly meetings in Blackwell's and also have an online presence with a number of virtual members; as well as links with other book clubs in Germany and Italy. Kate Wilson, a member of Books on the Broad, said: "We were over the moon when we heard that we'd won! We've had so much fun together planning for the Penguin/ Orange Readers' Group Prize. It's a splendid focus for all the energy and creativity that's out there in reading groups."
Kate Jones, literary agent and Chair of judges said: "Books open many doors for many readers and after a lot of passionate debate we finally decided upon Books on the Broad, who brought an individual sense of adventure to the shared pleasures of finding new voices from around the world and rediscovering fresh delight in old favourites. They represent something found in all this years entries and as such are worthy winners."
Second place was awarded to The Book Gluttons from London. This mixed group of all ages started just over a year ago in Victoria Library and offers commuters a much valued service. They win two sets of the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction shortlist.
Entries from Cornwall, Kent, Lincoln, London and Staffordshire were among the finalists. 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.
Scott Jacobson, Director of Communications at Orange, commented: "The variety of entries this year has been fascinating. It's great to be able to reward the shared pleasure of reading and congratulations again to Books on the Broad."
In addition to the prizes, groups also had a chance to win visits from Penguin ambassadors including Helen Dunmore, Clare Clark and Nicci French. They will each undertake a reading group session with the following reading groups chosen at random from the 2007 entries:
VIP Reader's Group, Kent– will receive a visit from Nicci Gerrard.
Sheffield University Women's Reading Group – will receive a visit from Clare Clark
Final reading group will be confirmed for Helen Dunmore's visit.
Previous winners of the Penguin & Orange Readers' Group Prize include the Parish Reading Group from Leicestershire (2006) and the High Down Prison Reading Group from Surrey (2005).
Find out more about the Readers' Group Prize here www.readersgroupprize.com
The Book Gluttons, (London) came in 2nd place. 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 Shortlisted Readers' Groups
- Previous Prize Winners
- Readers' Group Favourites
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