Jane Asher donates one of her favourite books for the Big Book Swap

Friday, September 16, 2011

Is there a book that has inspired and challenged you?

We asked actress Jane Asher to tell us about a book that has inspired her. She chose The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins.

Here's what Jane says about her choice:

"This is the first of Dawkins' books that I read and perhaps his greatest. I thought - like many people I suspect - that I knew what evolution was, but it was reading this book that really brought home the wonder and complexity of it. It's always reassuring, when life seems just too sad or tough, to remind myself just how infinitesimal mankind is in the scheme of things and just how short a fraction of time we have been - or will be - on this planet."

The Big Book Swap auction

The actress and writer's copy of Richard Dawkins' The Blind Watchmaker is one of a number of books donated by famous faces supporting the Big Book Swap including comedian Frank Skinner and singer Frank Turner. Bowel Cancer UK are auctioning the books from 00:01:13 BST 24th until from 00:01:13 BST 31st October on ebay. Lucky members of the public have the opportunity to own them by placing a minimum £5 bid on the auction website.

From 24th October you can find the books on ebay by searching:

• 'Big Book Swap - The Blind Watchmaker' to bid for Jane Asher's book

• 'Big Book Swap - American Gods' to bid for Frank Skinner's book

• 'Big Book Swap - Catch-22' to bid for Frank Turner's book

Share your best loved book this October

Jane joins a host of famous faces who are urging the nation to dig out their favourite books this October and host a book swap to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK.

Hosting a Big Book Swap is easy

Hold one at home or at work and invite friends, family and colleagues to swap their favourite books. Why not hold a competition with colleagues submitting their favourite books and guessing whose is whose - there may be some surprises! Or, if you're part of a book club, use one of the meetings already in the diary. A suggested donation between £5 and £10 from those attending will ensure you raise lots for Bowel Cancer UK.

For more ideas about how to take part in the Big Book Swap download a fundraising pack now or call the team on 020 7386 4006.