MAXINE GORDON speaks to Chocolat author Joanne Harris as York prepares for its third Big City Read.

THERE may be no such thing as a free lunch – but what about a free book? Or 7,000 of them, to be exact. That’s the number of copies of Chocolat that City of York Council is preparing to give away during its third annual Big City Read, which launches tomorrow and runs until September.

The aim of the Big City Read is to encourage residents to read the same book and take part in a string of events over summer to celebrate the chosen novel.

Previous works in the past have been Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children in 2008 and CJ Sansom’s Sovereign, last year – a murder mystery set in Tudor York at the time of Henry VIII.

Chocolat is an appetising choice – not just because author Joanne Harris is a Yorkshire lass, but because York’s history is rich in the dark gooey confection.

Joanne kicks off the three months of literary fun with a reading and a question and answer session at York Explore, the city’s refurbished central library, tomorrow night at 7pm.

That event is sold out, but the author will be back again on September 21.

Copies of Chocolat will be available from city libraries throughout the summer – available in large print, audio formats and in different languages so everyone can join in the big read.

Joanne, born in Barnsley but who now lives in Huddersfield, is looking forward to coming to York for tomorrow night’s event. She will be reading from Chocolat – something she hasn’t done for about ten years. The book, a dark yet sumptuous tale of a woman’s efforts to set up a chocolaterie in a sleepy, conservative, French town, was a best-seller and was turned into a movie starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

Although it was Joanne’s third novel, Chocolat was the one that launched her career and allowed her to give up her teaching day job and focus on being a full-time author. She has written eight more novels, a series of short stories and two cookbooks since. Her latest novel, Blueeyedboy, a thriller set in the on-line community, is out now (Doubleday, £18.99).


Joanne is delighted that York has chosen the novel as its Big City Read, pleased that it will be finding new audiences again. “I look back at it (Chocolat) fondly. It’s great that people still love it so.”

And she is right behind the Big City Read’s aim of getting more people to switch off the telly, put down their computer games and pick up a book.

“Anything that encourages people to read and celebrates reading is great thing,” she says. “The Big Read works really well; it generates an excitement about reading and all kinds of things based on the book.”

And what things are in store for the people of York. To complement the book, the city has concocted its own Grand Festival Du Chocolat, featuring a tasty and tantalising calendar of events for all ages.

Guided tours around York will explore the city’s chocolate history, while chocolate-making workshops will give people the opportunity to get to grips with the sweet stuff. There will be events looking at French art and culture as well as kids-only events such as chocolate tasting and magical poetry workshops.

Chocolat, says Joanne, is read and loved by people of all ages.

One of the great things about events such as the Big City Read is that it encourages adults to pick up books – and hopefully children too.

Joanne says: “There is no point encouraging children to read books if you don’t read; it’s not going to work; children tend to do what parents do. My daughter grew up in a house full of books. So reading and enjoying books is the first step. Reading aloud to children is really good too, and reading aloud to adults is great as well.”

Also, Joanne believes it is right to invest in libraries, to make them places people want to visit. More than £5000,000 has been spent on York Explore, which now includes a café, a new children’s area and 20,000 new books. An earlier revamp at Acomb’s library saw the number of users treble.

Joanne said: “Libraries should be evolving and accessible to people.

“They should be places where people can go to meet other people. We can get books at a book shop, or order them online, or get the mobile library to come to your door.

“There is a bigger aspect to libraries than just books; it’s a place that celebrates reading. It’s a place where people can go and find information, but there is a social dimension too; libraries have an atmosphere that you don’t find in a bookshop.”


Where you can join in York’s Big City Read fun

Here are some highlights of the Big City Read events

YorkWalk Chocolate Walks: Friday, July 16, 10.30am and 2pm; Sunday, August 8, 10.30am and 2pm; Wednesday August 18,10.30am and 2pm; Thursday September 2, 10.30am and 2pm; Tuesday September 21, 10.30am and 2pm. From the Rowntree and Terry’s factories and the workers’ village of New Earswick, to the city’s many chocolate shops, York’s chocolate heritage is rich indeed. All tours leave from Museum Gardens’ gate. Prices £5.50 adults; £3.50 children; £5 concessions and YorkCard holders. Under fives go free.

A season of French films – City Screen is staging a series of French movies – new and old – to tie in with the Big City Read: Sunday July 18, 8pm – Breathless (15). The new digital restoration of Jean Luc Goddard’s 1960 classic.

Sunday July 25, 8pm – Jour De Fete (U). Jacque Tati’s 1949 debut, hailed as a comic masterpiece.

Tuesday August 3, 6.15pm – Villa Amelia (PG). A 2009 film about a woman who begins a new life after seeing her lover kiss another woman.

Tuesday, August 17, 6.15pm – The Girl On The Train (15). Based on the true story of a girl who lied about being a victim of an anti-Semitic attack.

Monday, September 26, time to be confirmed – Chocolat (12). Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

Basic French Taster Session: Tuesday, August 24, 2pm, £3, York Explore – An introduction to some basic phrases in a friendly atmosphere.

Roald Dahl Day: Saturday, September 11, York Explore, drop in between 10am and 5pm, – a chance to watch a magician in the morning or visit the travelling zoo in the afternoon, and hold a tarantula if you dare; listen to tales of magic and chocolate and solve Roald Dahl puzzles.