How does it work?

Situated in the lovely World of Words area of the Arboretum at WOMAD you will find our Human Books. We have a selection of 42 humans, all of whom have encountered discrimination or some extraordinary situation in their lives.

You will be able to read a tantalising synopsis of their tale in our Booklist, check out when they are available and book them out with one of our expert Librarians. When your allocated borrowing period arrives you will be introduced to your human book and then you can choose where to converse. We have 3 beautiful furnished yurts available and beanbags dotted around in shade or sun.

You can chat about any aspect of the book and each session lasts 30 minutes. Oh & it’s all FREE. See this year’s booklist HERE.

There are 8 x 2 hour sessions during the festival, with 10 – 12 books normally available for each session. Come & see the whole timetable but note that we only take booking for the current or next session at any time (otherwise it gets booked up on Friday!).

Choosing books

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Feedback from 2016

This is such a fantastic idea, an amazing experience! Amazing to feel so connected to someone that was a stranger minutes before. Thank you so much, we will be back again!

Very interesting & thought provoking experience. As immersive as a book! Thank you.

I found it so powerful to have such an easy introduction to someone I would not normally get a chance to meet – to hear her story and to be able to ask questions. Such a generous gesture – to share brave stories from difficult times and we laughed and I shared my thoughts too. Time for a cuppa & some reflection! Ali

Today has got me one step closer to doing rather than thinking.

I felt honoured to listen & question.

Thank you – a lovely project & one to stimulate conversation of the best kind.

Another novel experience at Womad thankyou – arbitrary collision of thoughts in conversation. Great. Lucy

Really Great. What a good idea – feel energised and engaged with.

Very good conversation with a really interesting person. Amazing concept. I really enjoyed the discussion. Please get in touch to tell me where you are again.

This was a really interesting story – so much better than Wikipedia!!
The story was fascinating and told with passion.
I will hope his advice affects my life as much as it has affected his.
A big THANKYOU to WOMAD for making this possible & being here. Max Great to get rid of the barriers, would definitely read another book!

This human book thing is a marvelous idea! It should be at every festival and town centre.

It was a great experience. It is a very good concept to bring people together in a more deeper level..loved it. Keep up the good work

Never judge a book by its cover.
Everyone was really welcoming and fun to chat with. Simply Inspirational!

WOMAD 2017

Yes, from the 27th – 30th July, the WOMAD Human Books event is ON! Check out the World of Words page on the WOMAD website and the Human Books page. Applications are now closed. Take a look around this blogsite for details of previous years and how it all works. Katy

WOMAD 2016

What a great success!   41 Books had a total of 290 conversations over the two & a half days of WOMAD.

This is such a fantastic idea, an amazing experience! Amazing to feel so connected to someone that was a stranger minutes before. Thank you so much, we will be back again!

Very interesting & thought provoking experience. As immersive as a book! Thank you.

I found it so powerful to have such an easy introduction to someone I would not normally get a chance to meet – to hear her story and to be able to ask questions. Such a generous gesture – to share brave stories from difficult times and we laughed and I shared my thoughts too. Time for a cuppa & some reflection! Ali

Today has got me one step closer to doing rather than thinking.

I felt honoured to listen & question.

Thank you – a lovely project & one to stimulate conversation of the best kind.

Another novel experience at Womad thankyou – arbitrary collision of thoughts in conversation. Great. Lucy

Really Great. What a good idea – feel energised and engaged with.

Very good conversation with a really interesting person. Amazing concept. I really enjoyed the discussion. Please get in touch to tell me where you are again.

This was a really interesting story – so much better than Wikipedia!!

The story was fascinating and told with passion.

I will hope his advice affects my life as much as it has affected his.

A big THANKYOU to WOMAD for making this possible & being here. Max

Great to get rid of the barriers, would definitely read another book!

This human book thing is a marvelous idea! It should be at every festival and town centre.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Everyone was really welcoming and fun to chat with.

Simply Inspirational!

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Human Books @ WOMAD 2016

This year WOMAD will run from 28th – 31st July. We now have the booklist ready for you! See it HERE. Check the criteria for books here, and take a look at the 2014 details here to see what a typical weekend at Human Books looks like.

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Books & Readers

Yet again our WOMAD experience was unique and beautiful. The Human Books event produced 268 conversations with 38 living books! If you were either a Reader, a Book or a Librarian we would love to hear your thoughts here. Many thanks, Katy.