Book club is a lifesaver

saying: “I remember having tonsillitis very badly as a child and my brothers had the entire set of Richmal Crompton Just William books, which they gave me to read. I laughed so much at the stories, which was not too good for the tonsils, but they made me an avid reader.”

Actor Jim Carter also plumped for a book from his young days, saying: “I’m not sure that Well Done Secret Seven actually changed my life but learning to read and being given the ability to enter the imaginative world of books certainly did. And my early reading was dominated by the healthy adventures of Enid Blyton’s gang. I haven’t stopped reading since.”

Author Nina Stibbe added: “The book that changed my life was

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend.

When it first came out everybody I knew was reading it and declaring it hilarious, satirical and miraculous. So I borrowed a copy and it was immediate joy and relief. Here was this very ordinary boy from Leicester telling us about his hopes and dreams, and his dysfunctional family. What thrilled me was that he made it seem normal – and very funny – to worry. I’d just turned 20 and felt I’d been worrying my entire life. Adrian’s main concerns were similar to my own. Laughing with him I felt elated, relieved, and normal.”

Robyn Cummins, ShelterBox director of fundraising and communications said: “It’s wonderful to have the support of such star-studded book lovers. We’re really excited by our new book club. As you turn the pages of a great book, you’ll be helping real families rebuild their lives. The more people who join, the more disaster hit families we can help.”

Book Club members can also join the conversation online at the ShelterBox Book Club Facebook page where they will have access to special content, video chats and have the chance to post thoughts and reviews with fellow members, as they read along with ShelterBox staff and emergency response team members.

Launching this week, the first title members will receive is The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a collection of short stories focusing on life in Nigeria and what it’s like to be Nigerian in America.

All profits go towards providing specialist disaster relief for families around the world. For details visit shelterbox.org/BookClub