Tuesday April 23 is World Book Night.
Despite its name, World Book Night is a day where thousands of people across the USA give away free books to help promote reading.
Here’s a snippet from the World Book Night website…
Why does World Book Night exist?
Reading for pleasure improves literacy, actively engaging emerging readers in their desire to read. Reading changes lives, improves employability, social interaction, enfranchisement, and can have a positive effect on mental health and happiness. Book readers are more likely to participate in positive activities such as volunteering, attending cultural events, and even physical exercise.
Or more simply put, books are fun—and they can be life-changing.
With the passionate volunteer support of thousands of people across the country, World Book Night USA is spreading the love of reading, person to person.
I’m proud to be a World Book Night volunteer for the second year in a row. Last year I gave away The Book Thief, a compelling story set in Germany during WWII. It is the story of a young girl whose love of learning is so strong it compels her to steal books to further her education.
This year I am going to give away Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s the story of a society in which women belong to men. I think it is a particularly relevant book in these days of attacks on reproductive rights and women’s fight for equal pay for equal work.
If you see someone in your community giving away books on Tuesday April 23, take one. Engage the book giver in conversation about why he or she chose that particular book to give away. Go home and enjoy the book. Then pass it on to someone else.
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