World Book Night is celebrated annually on 23rd April. It ‘brings people from all backgrounds together for one reason – to inspire others to read more.’ (The Reading Agency, 2026).
Each year, the Library devises a range of activities to help inspire reading for pleasure at DSFC. This year our Librarian, Mrs Chávez, organised three competitions with prizes of chocolate and a National Book Token, as well as a college book swap. “I’m always trying to think of new ways to encourage reading for pleasure amongst our students. Unlike World Book Day, which is targeted at younger pupils, World Book Night provides an excellent opportunity to foster a culture of reading across our 16+ cohort and staff”, Mrs Chávez says. Here’s what happened this year:
Book Character Dating Profiles
Students were given ten ‘dating profiles’ and asked to guess which fictional character they thought the profile belonged to. You can have a go by looking at the profiles below – then check your answers at the bottom of this page!
1. Well-educated gentleman of pureblood heritage, looking for like-minded individual to help rid the world of lesser mortals and annoying boy wizards.
2. 30-something with fulfilling career in media, impressive ability to fall over in public and deep commitment to becoming a “better person” every January. Looking for someone who will like me very much. Just as I am.
3. Confident High Lord, charming with considerable power and impressive wingspan. Believes in freedom above all else. Looking for partner who enjoys the night and slow-burn tension. Challenge me mentally, love my family and court as much as I do, and we’ll get along well.
4. Girl with great survival skills. Expert with a bow and arrow, looking for someone with equally great survival skills who can light my fire and help overthrow a corrupt regime. Soft spot for bread makers.
5. Determined and loyal teen obsessed with escaping reality and finding our OASIS. Looking for 80s and 90s-loving knight to join me in the ultimate scavenger hunt. Ready to be my player two?
6. Intelligent and quick-witted young woman. Will quickly form an impression of you. Looking for gentleman free of pride ad vanity. Dear suitors, it is a truth universally acknowledged that I am a good walker.
7. Avid diarist, keen to be popular, but keep finding life tough. Should note – still at school. Looking for date who can stand up for me when I’m too scared. Must get on with my best friend, Rowley.
8. Outcast all my life due to skin colour. Never been popular but learnt I can fly if I believe in myself. Looking for fellow crusader to stand up against over-powering wizard leader. A love of green would help.
9. Owner of red and white hat and I speak in rhyme. Let’s go on a date and have a good time. Looking for my Thing One – a game-loving friend to cause some mischief with.
10. Small but tough girl, navigating new life with dragons instead of quiet life with books at Basgiath. Proving quite hard to kill! Looking for someone comfortable with dragons, intense eye-contact across sparring mats and the possibility of near-death experiences before dinner.
Congratulations go to our two joint-first student winners – Olivia and David – who both identified all ten characters correctly. Congratulations also go to Mrs Gill who guessed the most correct characters from the staff. All three won a bar of chocolate.
Whose ‘Shelfie is This?
Displayed outside the Library were twelve ‘shelfies’ – photos of bookshelves taken by their staff owners. Students were challenged to try and match each shelfie to a member of staff at the college. Congratulations go to Nathan who successfully matched an impressive nine out of the twelve shelfies to the correct members of staff. Nathan won £10 to spend towards books of his choice, as well as chocolate.
Book Swap
Thank you to everyone who donated books for this year’s DSFC Book Swap. “It was lovely to see so many books taken to new homes”, says Mrs Chávez.
British Book Awards – Win Chocolate with a Guess!
“This has always been my most popular competition since I started running it in 2021.” Mrs Chávez explains. “Inspired by The British Book Awards which are held every year in May, students and staff are invited to try and guess which books are going to win each of the award categories – absolutely no prior knowledge or skill needed! This year there were thirteen categories, including new categories for science fiction & fantasy and graphic novels.” Our winners this year correctly predicted five of the winning books. Congratulations to Olivia and Zarah who were our student winners, and to Dr Barrett from the Geography department who won the staff prize. All three won a bar of chocolate.
Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s celebrations and congratulations to our seven winners.
Book Character Dating Profiles – ANSWERS
1. Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. Bridget Jones from Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
3. Rhysand from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
4. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
5. Wade Watts from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
6. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
7. Greg Heffley from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
8. Elphaba Thropp from Wicked by Gregory Maguire
9. The Cat in the Hat from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
10. Violet Sorrengail from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Well done if you guessed all ten correctly!