Aylesbury based Calibre Audio to add nearly 50 new books for Christmas Holidays

The campaign will add 48 new book recordings to the free, accessible service.

Calibre said:

"Increased time at home and isolation during winter lockdown has highlighted the need for wellbeing, connection and entertainment. Reading can be a solace and comfort for those who

are isolated, as evidenced by booming book sales in the first lockdown, yet, only 7% of print books are converted to audio, the format needed for print-disabled people.

"Print disability is wide-ranging and affects people of all ages, with conditions such as dyslexia; cognitive and visual impairments; physical dexterity problems, terminal illness and early

dementia.

"Christmas can be a particularly lonely time when people might need extra comfort in the form of escapism from books and gripping fireside tales."

Success with, For the Love of Books fundraising campaign will enable Calibre Audio to turn this around and reach lovers of reading with audio editions including popular culture and specific titles requested by members.

The 48 books include must reads from the last 5 decades and new publications for 2020, drawing on themes of fantasy, mystery, romance, adventure, hardship, migration and real life autobiographies.

Children’s titles include new popular works such as David Walliams’ Slime and winner of the Costa Children's Book Award Tamarind and the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan, alongside

Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake’s October 2020 collection: On the Move: Poems About Migration.

Adult’s titles include 2020’s New York Times bestselling thriller, The Goodbye Man by Jeffrey Deaver and Fern Britton’s new romance Daughters of Cornwall alongside biographies Behind

the Mask by Tyson Fury and How Not to Be a Professional Racing Driver by Jason Plato.

Nila James, Director of Fundraising at Calibre Audio says “This is a very exciting opportunity to bring new audiobook titles to our 15,000 members, who all have a disability that makes

reading print difficult. This will be a lovely gift this Christmas after a year that has been especially isolating for many of our service users.”

Calibre Audio member says: “The service has certainly helped to make isolation more bearable. It is such a relief to hear a wallet drop through the letterbox. It means that for a few

hours one can escape from all the present problems.”

Every pound donated will be matched by Calibre Audio champions, up to the amount of £4,500.

Click here to DONATE to For the Love of Books from December 1 onwards.