No collections of poetry are being given out on World Book Night 2012 – I guess that, once Heaney and Duffy were expended in 2011, nothing was left for this year. In the nation’s psyche, a biography or a novel constitutes a book. World Book Night is designed to promote the industry, like giving ciggies to kids. Sure, it’s commendable to give free Ishiguro or Donoghue to a stranger in the street. ‘You can’t make a gift of an ebook download, the volunteers will say with a nod and wink’. By all means sock it to Apple and Amazon. I want a bookshop in my town. But, for God’s sake, mix it up a little. The book is a many splendored thing, and the World Book Night list should have been better.