January 26th, 2012
EPL Reading Stars: Several Players Booked
Oh Niko. You tousled literary conundrum, you. Images via premierleague.com.
EPL footballers are currently involved in a scheme intended to improve literacy levels and encourage people in the UK to read more books.
Please. It’s not that funny.
It’s actually pretty cool. Each EPL club nominates a player as their representative on the scheme and that player then selects his favourite books (one children’s book, one grown-up book) and they are added to a list of recommendations. You can watch videos of each club’s ‘Reading Star’ talking about their choices here.
While we mostly loved the selections in the kid’s books section (you’re not going to find anyone around here moaning about too many Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton or Gruffalo appearances), we feel a little like we need to share the following thoughts with you:
- Our comments moderator says that reading Dan Brown does not make you an intellectual.
- She also thinks that the heavy Harry Potter representin’ is a ruse and that the players claiming to have read the books have just watched the movies instead. She’s very cynical, isn’t she?
- Niko Kranjcar chose Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ as his grown-up book. We adore him even more now.
- We really, really hope that Josh McEachran hasn’t mistaken Roger Hargreaves’ ode to untidiness for a biography of one of football’s biggest stars.
- Joey Barton is as scary off the pitch as he is on it.
Would you be prepared to let Niko Kranjcar, Theo Walcott and their friends into your room for a little light reading, Kickettes?
Good stuff as per usual, thanks. I do hope this kind of thing gets more exposure.
Oh Niko….how I love thee. And to kill a mockingbird? Very impressed. Oooh, maybe we could start a player-kickette book club? We would of course set a dress code for any baller attendees.
reminds me of Xabi
his favourite book is The Great Gatsby. Just shows his classiness, no?
I'm sorry, but nikos favorite book is not to kill a mocking bird. I'm almost positive they shoved two english books in his hand and snapped a picture.
This comment on Twitter from the Official Spokesman of the Premier League would suggest otherwise:
" Niko Kranjcar of @SpursOfficial says his favourite book is To Kill a Mickingbird because Atticus Finch inspires him as a father."
I've just realised Niko's got a kid hasn't he? That makes sense. Aww
I like your comments moderator.
"To kill a mockingbird"? Niko, you are the perfect man!
Awesome!!! What an exciting, and hopefully successful campaign!!!! I am so happy that the EPL is showing kids that reading is something their "heros" do as well, and can hopefully improve the literacy rates, and encourage youngsters to read more!!! Good one EPL!!!
Storytime with Niko! Oh there he is, reading Harry Potter to us all with that ridiculously gorgeously soft accent of his…..mmmmm………ten points to Gryffindor!
eww I hate the Da Vinci Code
Niko is perfect as always!
NIKO, I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO LIKE YOU. As a huge potterhead and a bookworm, Niko holding books – specifically the philosophers stone gives me butterflies.
Did I mention I'm a gooner as well?
Stop making it so hard for me Niko
Niko, you are perfect inside and out!!! (And cheers to Spurs for choosing a decent adult level novel. I'm disappointed in Chelsea. Sorry for my snobbery, but with Lampard, Drogba, Mata on the squad, they could have come up with something a little better.)