Bookshop.org and the Independent Alliance launch Books That Give initiative for Bookbanks

Bookshop.org is launching Books That Give, a charitable initiative that will see 10% of sales of select Independent Alliance titles donated to the Bookbanks charity. Bookbanks provides free books at food banks in London and Norfolk.

Through November and December, readers can support Books That Give by visiting Bookshop.org and purchasing any book from a list of 30 titles, which have been nominated by each of the participating Independent Alliance publishers.

The list includes fiction titles like In Ascension by Martin McInnes (Atlantic), Kala by Colin Walsh (Atlantic), Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan (Faber) and The Glutton by AK Blakemore (Granta). Non-fiction food and cooking books are also well-represented on the list, which includes titles like The Cheesemonger’s Tour de France by Ned Palmer (Profile), Soups, Salads and Sandwiches by Matty Matheson (Murdoch Books) and Seasoning by Angela Clutton (Murdoch Books).

Proceeds will assist the charity in its long-term mission of expanding to further locations across the UK.

"We are so grateful to Bookshop.org and to the Independent Alliance for this inspired partnership that will enable us to give more books to more people who would otherwise struggle to afford them," said Emily Rhodes, the founding director at Bookbanks. "At Bookbanks, where we have now given out over 3,000 books to people accessing food banks, we see just how powerful this connection can be."

The initiative has drawn support from Bookbanks’ ambassadors and authors O’Hagan and Elizabeth Day. "I grew up in a family that needed help, and books were instrumental in enlarging my sense of community and possibility," O’Hagan said. "I’m thrilled that this initiative will help Bookbanks reach more of the many families who need support today, and help other children access the benefits of reading."

Nicole Vanderbilt, managing director of Bookshop.org UK, added: “At no extra costs to customers, these exciting titles will make great gifts in their own right, but thanks to the generosity of our partner, the Independent Alliance, they will provide vital support to indie bookshops during the most important retail period of the year and to Bookbanks as it seeks to grow its much needed community across the UK.”