Before I Die was selected as one of the top 100 books for this year's Spread the Word campaign - the only young adult title on the list. The campaign was started to get people reading and talking about novels of outstanding quality by living writers that haven't been treasured as much as they deserve to be.
The public were able to discuss and vote for their top ten titles on the Spread The Word website and Before I Die made it into the Top Ten shortlist.
Despite not winning, there's no question that Before I Die is still one of the books to talk about in 2008.
Have you read Before I Die? What did you think? We would love to hear your thoughts. Simply click on the 'Your Feedback' header above to read what others have said, then on the 'post a comment' link at the end of the current posts to add your own.
Book of the Month
Simon Mayo’s book panel have chosen Jenny’s Downham’s BEFORE I DIE to be one of their two July books of the month.
The programme will air on BBC Radio 5 on Thursday 12th July at 3pm (BST).
Jenny Downham will be appearing on the show to join in the debate, as the book panel and Simon discuss the title.
Visit the web site to find out more.
A message from David Fickling
Dear Reader
Before I Die is a quite outstanding novel by debut writer Jenny Downham, which DFB will be publishing in hardcover this July. We are, by modern standards, publishing Before I Die in record quick time and there is really no time for the usual word of mouth to gather momentum so I am relying on you reading the proof!
I don't want to say very much about the book at all, except for three things:
Firstly, I urge everyone to read Before I Die. You will not be disappointed. It is an extraordinary book. It is both searing, unsentimental and honest and at the same time almost shockingly affirming of life. If anyone has got closer to imagining what it actually means to die (and so to live!) then I have yet to read them. It is, in the proper sense, a joy to read.
Secondly, Jenny Downham is a formidable writing talent and Before I Die is stark, poetic, and both beautifully written and unstoppably readable.
Thirdly, Why are we publishing so quickly? Partly and very plainly because I don't think the public should be kept waiting a single second longer than necessary to read this book. And partly to show we can. Nowadays books sometimes have to wait an inordinately long time to get published. Often a book taken on by an editor is not published for one, two, three years... I have always revered to the nimble publishing of legends of yore like Victor Gollancz who could receive a manuscript in August and have it in the shops by Christmas. A small, personal imprint like DFB can be nimble and quick, SHOULD be nimble and quick.
Especially with literary gold dust in its hands.
Yours sincerely
David Fickling
PS But don't just take my word for it. Rights have already been sold in no less than TEN languages, in less than two weeks.
