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Books Gone Wild will create book chains around the city,country & world. Read on…

“From my kitchen table back in London,where I began writing my books to here in Chandigarh,the word’s spreading and it’s a fascinating journey,one that I would love to be a part of,’’ smiles British novelist Jenny Valentine,as she released books into the wild at the British Library on Monday evening. To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the British Council,75 of the best contemporary books with a British connection and of various genres have set out on a journey around the city,country and the world. Book Gone Wild strives to create book chains linking people together as the books are passed on from one person to another and anyone can be a part of this chain,either by reading,passing the book or browsing their website! “It’s a wonderful way to get people to read and the idea’s inspired the beginning of another book,’’ Jenny wants to see the shape of the map the books make. Jenny’s first novel,Finding Violet Park won the Guardian Children’s Fiction prize and she’s now on a roll,with three more books published. Children are the central characters in all her books,and Jenny clarifies that doesn’t mean the books are targeted at children. “I don’t write for anyone,I just write. When you get self-conscious about your readers,the style,plot,market,you ruin the magic of the the story. I am fascinated by people and they inspire me to write. I love to sit and listen,overhear and make things up,’’ laughs Jenny. As for children,Jenny believes they and young people cope with things much better than adults,they know how to live in the moment and get on with living,with resilience. Sans any plot or plan,Jenny writes as soon as she gets a beginning,one with a spark,that can hold the readers’ attention and the characters,story and end develops as she writes along. “If I know the end,I won’t write,’’ Jenny’s Finding Violet Park is the story of an unusual friendship between a young boy and an old,dead lady,while Broken Soup tells how a little girl gets a negative of a photograph and as the story unfolds,the picture tells her who she is! “A little secret or mystery is important to get the readers,especially children hooked,’’ Jenny’s latest is The Ant Colony and Iggy and Me,which has been inspired by her two daughters and their pranks. “Iggy…was fun all the way,and gave me a breather too,’’ Jenny invites you to log on to http://www.britishcouncilonline.org\ooksgonewild.