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Read an E-Book Month encourages everyone to explore the vast world of digital literature throughout March. Dive into new genres, revisit old favorites, and discover the convenience of e-reading. Share your digital library, join online book clubs, and support authors by reviewing their e-books.
Want to sponsor Read an E-Book Month? Learn how
Expected Read an E-Book Month Deals
Throughout Read an E-Book Month, expect major e-book retailers to offer significant discounts and promotions on digital titles. In previous years, platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play Books have featured daily deals, themed collections, and subscription service trials. Publishers such as Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster often participate with sales on their e-book catalogs. Additionally, digital libraries like Libby and OverDrive frequently highlight popular e-books for borrowing. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March approaches.
Platform Guide for Read an E-Book Month
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #ReadAnEbookMonth. Share quick reviews of your favorite e-books or showcase your e-reader setup.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ReadAnEbookMonth. Post aesthetic photos of your e-reader with current reads, or create carousels of e-book recommendations.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ReadAnEbookMonth. Start a discussion in a reading group about the benefits of e-books or share free e-book resources.
Read an E-Book Month Hero
Michael S. Hart
History of Read an E-Book Month
The 1970s witnessed the completion of an electronic index to Thomas Aquinas’ works prepared by Roberto Busa, S.J.; a journey that started back in 1946. It became known as “The Index Thomisticus,” and is considered by many the first e-book ever made. Initially, it was stored on a single computer, until a distributable CD-ROM version was released in 1989, which became the very first distribution of an electronic book. But that’s not the only discovery element that led to Read an E-Book Month. The idea of dedicating a complete month was preceded by a week, so there was Read an E-Book Week.
Read an E-Book Week, founded by Rita Toews, who is a mother and avid reader, is an annual international celebration of e-books. It brings together e-book retailers, publishers, authors, device makers, and readers looking for new stories to read and enjoy. She was inspired by her own experiences in authoring and assisting other authors she knew with their memoirs and novels. She ultimately approached her local library in 2004 launching the Read an E-book Week.
Read an E-Book Week was the seed implanted that led to the dedication of the whole month of March as Read an E-Book Month. It is now celebrated by both readers and authors around the globe, with many e-book events and sales taking place throughout the month. The sole purpose of this extra special month is to honor the history of e-books and celebrate the efficient purchasing, storing, and reading of these books. In contrast, physical books can cost more, weigh more, and are not as easy to carry around when traveling, especially if you’re a bookworm.
Read an E-Book Month timeline
Michael S. Hart creates an electronic document by typing the “Declaration of Independence” into a computer in plain text to make it easy to download and view on different devices.
Sony launches the Data Discman, an electronic book reader that could read e-books stored on CDs.
Read an E-Book Week is founded by Rita Toews.
An Amazon sales report indicates that e-book sales for their Kindle outnumber sales of hardcover books.
Barnes & Noble releases the most prominent e-reader with a 7.8-inch E Ink screen and calls it the GlowLight Plus.
Read an E-Book Month FAQs
When is Read an E-Book Month?
In 2027, Read an E-Book Month takes place during the entire month of March, from Monday, March 1 to Wednesday, March 31. This annual observance encourages readers to embrace digital formats.
How popular are e-books?
By 2027, e-books are projected to continue their steady growth, particularly among younger demographics and those who value portability. Industry reports indicate that e-books account for a substantial portion of overall book sales and consumption.
What are the benefits of reading e-books?
Beyond convenience, e-books are environmentally friendly, reducing paper consumption. Their instant availability means readers can purchase and start a new book in seconds, and many platforms offer features like highlighting and note-taking that enhance the reading experience.
What is the history of e-books?
From early text files to sophisticated e-readers and interactive digital formats, the evolution of e-books has been driven by technological advancements. By 2027, the history reflects a continuous shift towards more immersive and accessible digital reading experiences, integrating with audiobooks and multimedia.
Read an E-Book Month Activities
Buy an e-book reader
We get it; bookworms like the smell and feel of a brand new or old and aged book in their hands. But think about an all-you-can-read feast of books, stored safely in an electronic device at your fingertips anytime you feel like reading. Sounds exhilarating, right? Give it a try.
Gift a loved one with an e-book
Many of us have trouble buying gifts for some of our relatives. Why not gift them an e-book or voucher for an online e-book store?
Reread your favorite novel on an e-book reader
If you’ve already jumped into the e-books realm, why not revisit some old hardcover books from your past? Find your favorite work online and purchase it so you can read it on your device.
5 Facts About E-Books
Libraries are going digital
The British Library began digitizing its most valuable manuscripts.
You can subscribe to e-book libraries
The world’s first subscription-based e-book platform was launched in 2011.
E-Book readers almost looked like gameboys
GemBook was a 1999 concept e-reader that used replaceable memory cards and did not require connecting to another device.
You can fit thousands of books
A typical school library's entire collection could fit into a single e-reader, which can go up to collections of about 25,000 books.
A leader in the e-book realm
"The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown was the first novel from a major publisher to be released simultaneously in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.
Why We Love Read an E-Book Month
Another platform to encourage reading
We love how the younger generations can now choose to go digital and read e-books. For once, screen time will actually be beneficial.
E-Books save trees
Going electronic saves hundreds or even thousands of trees every year that would have been used to make paper for books. Saving the environment sounds like a great reason to use e-books.
You can revisit books without damaging them
Farewell, torn, and loose pages. Say hello to compact and effortless reading without books getting worn out.
Social Media Tips for Read an E-Book Month
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