National Read a Book Day on September 6 calls all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free. Bringing new worlds to life, books enlighten us and transport us on exciting adventures. They can challenge our perspectives on the human experience in ways unmatched by other media. In a world deluged by technology, National Read a Book Day encourages us to silence the noise and turn the pages for a while.
When is National Read a Book Day 2023?
National Read A Book Day is celebrated on September 6 every year.
History of National Read a Book Day
While National Read a Book Day is believed to have originated in the US, other details of the day’s history are unclear. What is clear, though, is Americans’ love for books! And, for many, this is a welcomed day because 81% of us don’t feel we spend as much time reading as we would like. So, today is the perfect opportunity to set aside a little time to catch up on our “to read” list.
The popularity of book clubs points to our ongoing love for books. They date back to the 1600s with women’s Bible studies. But, in the last few decades, reading has taken on a much more social element influenced, in large part, by Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club. Starting in 1996, Oprah’s Book Club recommended 70 books contributing to over $55 million in sales and has been credited with inspiring millions of people to read books.
Over 74% of Americans have read at least one book in the last 12 months. Sure, the busyness of life definitely gets in the way of our reading pursuits with many other activities competing for our time. Luckily, electronic platforms have made it easier for us to read on the go. Almost 20% of books consumed are now via electronic platforms. Whatever format you prefer, grab or download the book on the top of your stack and dive in!
National Read a Book Day timeline
Paper and the papermaking process are invented in China.
One of the earliest-known books is printed using a printing press in Europe making, it widely available to the average person.
The first novel in the "Harry Potter" series is released and goes on to sell over 500 million books, making it the highest-selling series of all time by a single author (J. K. Rowling).
66% of public libraries now offer electronic books (or e-books).
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National Book Lovers Day – August 9
Books are the purest form of escapism. They transport you to any time, place, or culture.
See MoreNational Book Lovers Day By The Numbers
1,207,937 – the number of reading sessions started on Bookly in the past year.
8.27 – the number of books per person by which book sales fell in 2001.
359,803 – the number of books and e-books added on Bookly between 2019 and 2020.
16,555 – the number of audiobooks added on Bookly between 2019 and 2020.
909,394 – the number of reading sessions started by female users on Bookly between 2019 and 2020.
350,485 – the number of reading sessions started by male users on Bookly between 2019 and 2020.
25–34 – the ages between which the most books are read.
80 million – the number of active users on the popular book site Goodreads.
24% – the percentage of American adults who have not read a book in 2018.
6 – the number of books by Dr. Seuss that rank among the top 20 bestselling children’s books of all time.
National Book Lovers Day FAQs
Is there a National Book Day?
World Book Day is observed annually on April 23.
What month is National Book Month?
National Book Month is held each October. The month-long celebration focuses on the importance of reading, writing, and literature.
How do you celebrate Book Lovers Day?
Some ways to celebrate Book Lovers Day include starting a book club, supporting a local indie author, recommending books to others, and even starting to write your own book!
When is National Book Lovers Day 2021?
National Book Lovers Day 2021 will be observed on the 9th of August.
National Read a Book Day Activities
Visit your local library
Public libraries have been around since the Middle Ages. But back in those days, books were often chained to the bookcases to prevent theft. On National Book Lovers Day, reconnect with the past by browsing the shelves at your local library. Bonus points if you pick a book off the shelf, find a cozy nook and read it right there at the library.
Make as many literary references as possible
National Book Lovers Day is a day of great expectations. It's not a quixotic task to make as many literary references as possible. If you manage to reference at least 10 books, you deserve a red badge of courage.
Participate in a book exchange
What better way to celebrate National Book Lovers Day than by trading an old favorite with a friend in exchange for something new? Better yet, get a few friends together for a group book exchange. Before handing off your book, share a few words about what that book means to you.
5 Things Every Bibliophile Agrees With!
Best gift ever!
A book is the best present that someone can give you on your birthday
The book was better
The book will always be better, no matter how faithful the movie adaption is.
No fancy bookmarks here
Anything can be a bookmark if you are creative enough.
Lost in translation
Bibliophiles take time to recover from the stories they have been immersed in, especially if there is a death of their favorite fictional character!
Books that don’t get returned!
People who borrow books and never return them are the bane of a bibliophile’s existence!
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY
Books connect us to the universe
American novelist James Baldwin said it best: "You think your pain and heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read." Books help us understand each other, feel less alone, and put our complex emotions into words.
Books let us escape the limits of time and space
Books are powerful. They're the only medium that can transport us through time and space — into the past, present, future, and faraway worlds — galaxies away. We don't even have to leave our couch or change out of our pajamas!
The book Is (usually) better than the movie
Can you think of many movies that break this rule? Screenplays often simplify subtle complexities of the book and sadly, in many cases, the original author may have very little input. Go to the movies? No, thanks. We'd rather read a book! At least on National Book Lovers Day.
National Book Lovers Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 9 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | August 9 | Friday |
| 2025 | August 9 | Saturday |
| 2026 | August 9 | Sunday |
| 2027 | August 9 | Monday |
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