This coming Monday April 23rd is the first World Book Night in the US and I AM SO EXCITED to be a part of it! Successfully launched in the UK last year, World Books Night will take place on the 23rd in the USA, UK , and Ireland.
It will be like the books heard around the world! 😀
I am thinking most of you have heard about this but in the event that you are scratching your head and saying “What is world book night, Sheila?” I am all too happy to share with you!
World Book Night is a day when a half a million free books will be given away around the world! Those who signed up had a chance to pick from 30 wonderful titles in which if selected, you would be given 20 copies of that book to give away on World Book Night to hopefully non readers to encourage them to READ! I chose Hunger Games because I feel this is a book that speaks to a multitude of ages and with the recent movie release may be a great book to encourage non or light readers to pick it up and READ.
Additionally, April 23 is UNESCO’s World Book Day, chosen due to the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, as well as Shakespeare’s birth and death.
I will be picking up my books at Barnes and Noble this coming Friday. My friend and I will road trip our way to St Cloud, about an hour drive from here, but worth it for a trip to B & N, possibly lunch at one of my favorite lunch spots (Hello Mongo’s!) and perhaps a little shopping.
I know a lot of book bloggers all over the world are also participating in this incredible event and I would like to do two things here.
On Sunday afternoon I am going to set up a sticky post and a linky for all who participated in World Book Night to share their stories in a post. What I am saying is if you write about your world book night experience – I would love it if you would link your posts up here on Monday or Tuesday, when ever you write them so we can all check out your experience.
Secondly, I encourage you to send a picture in of your World Book Day experience to my email at journeythroughbooks@gmail.com. I would like to put together a post of the pictures that come in of you and the books and where in the world you are located. I think it would be awesome to see the books, the people handing them out… etc.
IF you are not participating in World Book Night but stumble across someone in your area who is, you can send in a picture of that as well… cool if you can get in on the pic, but if not, a picture of the books being handed out and where in the world you are would be just fine.
This post here, is just to chat with you all about World Book Night. The linky post will go up later on Sunday so on Monday, World Book Night, you can start linking up. And I hope you do as this is going to be an incredible world-wide experience that I am proud to be a part of.
Book Journey 
I’m giving The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Fiction Addiction had a reception for givers this past Monday night.
That is so nice Kathy! I am not finding any celebrations near me and I an bummed! The closest is in Minneapolis, right on Hennepin Ave… a few authors will be there and it sounds fun but that is a 3 hour drive for me… each way!
The book store that I picked mine up had a champagne and sweets reception for all of us in the area. Media was contacted as well.
That’s nice Angie, I googled our area and found nothing close. I asked Barnes and Noble about it and they said they had such short notice on finding out they were a pick up site they did not have time to plan. Glad you found a good spot to celebrate! 😀
This will be a wonderful event! Enjoy!!
I haven’t signed up and so I’m not participating, but I’ll be “lurking” to read about some stories….
I am excited to hear where people give the books away and what happens when they offer people a free book 😀
I will be giving away The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I pick up my books tonight. One of the pickup points is the indie bookstore right here in my town. They’re having a party tonight for the givers and we get our books. Must remember camera!
I loved that book Leslie! And how fun to have a get together right in town… I thought for sure St Cloud would have something, but nothing I can find on line. I kind of feel my area dropped the ball (or book) on this one….
The pick-up party was a success. We had 15 attendees, lots of book talk, a WBN cake and wine. And the cake was delicious!
I’m lucky enough to be giving away one of my all-time favorite books…The Kite Runner! I am thrilled to be a part of this event in Northern Wisconsin, and also surprised to hear that there are about 10 of us in the area participating.
That is a great read Jo-Jo! Awesome pick! How did you find out how many in your area are doing it? Is there a chart or map somewhere? That would be cool!
I and my older daughters are participating, we are handing out copies of Ender’s Game!
I’m also acting as editor for a special event series of blog posts for World Book Night & UNESCO’s World Book Day over at The Dragon Page http://www.dragonpage.com/ on Monday please spread the word and check it out.
Nice! I will come and check it out for sure! 😀
I’m here in Alberta, Canada. We definitely need a World Book Day here! Looking forward to hearing all the stories!
Yes you do! I think they are planning on making it bigger next year so maybe then it will include Canada! *fingers crossed*
Yea! I’m so excited. I picked up my books Tuesday, and I’m giving away The Book Thief, one of my favorites. In fact, I’ve already written my post for Monday to talk about my plans. Can’t wait!
NIce! Cant wait to check out your post!
I picked up my books Tuesday at a B&N. I’ll be giving away The Stand by Stephen King. I haven’t heard of any WBN celebrations in my area, but that sure would be fun!
Try Googling the event in your area to see if any of the book stores are doing anything. I wish outs were! Have fun Vicki, cant wait to hear how it goes!
Yay for the US joining in the party. My local bookshop did a book party on last year’s WBN and it was brilliant – free books, book swap, wine and nibbles and (I think) discounts on all purchases. So I did a little happydance to see that it was happening again this year. I’m not giving away any books this year, but I’ve read and loved nearly half of the UK selections and am looking forward to the chance to fangirl with the book-givers.
Katie that celebration sounds wonderful – really that’s what should be happening everywhere! 😀
This sounds like such a fun event! Since it’s not happening in Canada, I’ll have to live vicariously through all the stories and pictures that are posted next week.
Well… we will try to do a good job! 😀 Lets hope Canada is in on it next year! 😀
Sheila, what a great idea!!! 😀
I’m giving Ender’s Game to a class-full of reluctant readers at the mid-school!!!
Laura that sounds awesome! 😀
Sheila, I think it’s so good that so many bloggers have signed up to share their love of reading with others. I hope everyone has a great time.
I do too Vasilly! I cant wait to hear the stories!
I picked up my books last night at my local indie bookstore. They had extra boxes of books so I am giving away three books: Wintergirls; The Book Thief; and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Oh that is pretty cool Helen! I just picked up Wintergirls on audio… that is one I have been wanting to read. Have fun with all of those books!
I decided not to participate because I thought I had a schedule conflict, but it turns out I don’t. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to.
You can check in with your local stores that are participating Alyce, I heard they sent out extra boxes in the event of mix ups. 😀
I wanted to sign up, but didn’t get to it in time. Hope you have tons of fun
Thank you Ryan! I wish you would have got in on this too! I think it will be pretty cool 😀
Sheila Maybe you can talk to a couple of book stores locally and try to have a local WORLD BOOK NIGHT event here. 🙂 I hope you have a GREAT WORLD BOOK NIGHT time. 🙂
Thanks Millie, yes I will be working with out local library more this year and need to meet with the manager soon – I want to promote this better next year and hope I can help initiate some events 😉
I am giving A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving! So excited!!
We actually have 3 generations giving books.
My mom is also a giver, and she is giving Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton
My 17yr old daughter is also a book giver. She is giving The Kite Runner.
Cannot wait for tommorow! It’s like waiting for Christmas….lol
And our pick up reception was at my favorite indy RJ Julia Booksellers. We had live music, wine, cheese/crackers….and goody bags for the givers.
Rosie that is so cool! Three generations! Really this is an amazing time in the world … enjoy and be glad you were a part of it 😉
The wine, the cheese – that is so cool. We need to do better at this in out area.
I’m giving away Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham in the UK.
Nice! I am not familiar with the book! I should have asked people to takes pics of the book covers – I think they are fabulous!
I shall post mine on my photo blog.
http://readingbetweenthelines.edublogs.org/ A middle and high school librarian’s experience with World Book Night. I hope to do it next year too!