YORK author Matt Haig's latest novel The Humans - a quirky, satirical story about an alien stranded on earth in a human body - will be handed out free to people across the country as part of World Book Night tonight (Weds April 23).

It is one of 20 titles chosen for this year's event. Altogether, 250,000 books will be given away tonight by volunteers.

Matt, who lives in central York, admits he's delighted by the honour .

"The Humans will be handed out for free by thousands of volunteers across the country," he said. "The response has been overwhelming with lots of volunteers getting in touch."

Matt will be joining other authors, include Adele Parks and Ben Aaronovich, for the official launch of world Book Night in Birmingham.

The Humans, published by Canongate, was described by The Press books editor Stephen Lewis as "a funny and moving outsider's look at what it is to be human" on its publication last year.