09/07/2010

Residents and visitors are in for a real treat next week, with the chance to spend an evening with Joanne Harris, as she discusses City of York Council's Big City Read 2010, the internationally renowned Chocolat.

The city centre York Explore will open its doors on Wednesday 14 July - at the already sold-out event  - when Joanne will be available to answer questions about Chocolat, which was famously made into an Oscar nominated blockbuster movie starring Johnny Depp.

Attendees can expect to receive a copy of the novel at the city centre York Explore event on Wednesday from 7pm.

Organised by the council, York's Big City Read is an annual event where residents are encouraged to read the same book and then take part in events celebrating the chosen novel.

Following on from the success of the annual Big City Read last year, over 7,000 copies of this year's popular novel will be handed out over the summer from Wednesday 14 July to the end of September.

Working together with Big City Read partners, including York Museums Trust and the York Festival of Food and Drink, there will also be a chance to discover the importance of chocolate in York's history as well as enjoying a bar or two of the favourite indulgence.

With York being renowned for many things, including its reputation for being a chocolate city, playing home to big names past and present, including Nestlé, Rowntree's and Terrys - it's therefore apt that this year's summer Big City Read is about Chocolate.

In addition to the evening with Joanne Harris, many authors and storytellers will also be making their way to York, Reading groups and local history workshops will be held to discuss and share readers' views on the magical book, which is about a woman who creates a stir when she moves to a small French village with her daughter and opens a chocolaterie.

Residents can pick up a copy from any explore centre and library across York this summer and copies of Chocolat will be available in audio formats and in different languages to encourage everyone to join in.

For those who have missed out on the chance to see Joanne next week, there will be another chance to see her on Tuesday 21 September from 7pm. Everyone is being encouraged to read Chocolat and attend the event to discuss the book. Tickets for the evening cost just £5 per person and include refreshments (a glass of wine for adults) and Joanne will be signing copies of the book.

Tickets are available at York Explore direct or by calling 01904 552828

For more information about this year's Big City Read and to view full details of the programme go to www.york.gov.uk/libraries.

(ENDS)