Read An eBook Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Activities Books
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September 18
Holiday emoji:: 📚

Read An eBook Day arrives every September 18, celebrating the unparalleled accessibility and convenience of digital literature. Dive into a new genre, revisit an old favorite, or explore independent authors. Take advantage of this day to expand your reading horizons and embrace the future of books.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Read An eBook Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that Read An eBook Day often brings exciting deals from major retailers and publishers. Expect significant discounts on popular titles and entire series from platforms like Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Kobo. Publishers such as Penguin Random House and HarperCollins may offer flash sales or bundled collections. Look for free ebook giveaways from independent authors and smaller presses on sites like Smashwords and BookBub. Digital library services like OverDrive and Libby might highlight popular titles with shorter wait times. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 18 approaches.

Platform Guide for Read An eBook Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ReadAnEBookDay. Share your current read, a stack of digital books, or your favorite e-reader setup.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #ReadAnEBookDay. Film a quick review of an ebook, share reading hacks, or showcase your digital library.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #ReadAnEBookDay. Tweet about your favorite ebook authors, recommend a digital title, or join a virtual book club discussion.

Read An eBook Day Hero

Michael S. Hart

Michael S. Hart is widely recognized as the inventor of the ebook. In 1971, he digitized the U.S. Declaration of Independence, marking the first document to be stored and retrieved electronically. This pioneering effort led to the creation of Project Gutenberg, a massive online library of free ebooks, making countless public domain works accessible to everyone.

History of Read An eBook Day

The idea of an ebook was born in 1930 after Rob Brown watched his first talkie — movies with sound. He introduced this idea in his manifesto, explaining what he envisioned the future for books should look like.

In 1949, a Spanish teacher, Angela Ruiz Robles invented the first automated book reader, the Enciclopedia Mecánica. Texts and graphics were loaded onto the device using spools and operated with compressed air. Robles’ idea of an automated reader was born out of the desire to reduce the number of books that kids had to carry to school every day. However, the device never went into mass production, and the prototype ended up at the National Museum of Science and Technology in A Coruña.

Despite Robles’ invention, it would take 22 years for the first ebook to appear, and that was by a stroke of luck and the introduction of the internet. After being given unprecedented computer time, Michael Hart decided to type his copy of the Declaration of Independence into a computer in plain text. He then shared it on the ARPANET to be freely downloaded by everyone. That led to the founding of Project Gutenberg, which focused on creating electronic copies of texts and publications.

The late 1980s and the 2000s saw different inventions and innovations that helped shape the ebook into what it is today, including the introduction of the first e-readers, standardization of ebook formats, and online ebook stores.

In 2014, OverDrive got the idea to create a day to celebrate the existence of ebooks. That eventually led to the annual celebration of Read An Ebook Day every September 18.

Read An eBook Day timeline

1930

The Readies

Bob Brown introduces the concept of an ebook in his manifesto, “The Readies.”

1971

Project Gutenberg

Michael Hart launches Project Gutenberg to create electronic copies of texts and books.

1993

Ebook is now commercial

BiblioBytes introduces a website for selling ebooks on the internet.

2014

Read An Ebook Day is Born

OverDrive, an ebook distribution company, launches Read An Ebook Day.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Read An eBook Day

Local bookstores can partner with digital platforms to promote ebooks, perhaps offering in-store tutorials on using e-readers or highlighting popular digital-only titles. Cafes could host ‘digital reading nooks’ with free Wi-Fi and special discounts for patrons reading on their devices. Tech stores can showcase the latest e-readers and tablets, offering special bundles or trade-in programs. Libraries can run digital literacy workshops, demonstrating how to access their ebook collections via apps like Libby or OverDrive, encouraging new users to explore the world of digital reading.

Read An eBook Day FAQs

When is Read An eBook Day?

Read An eBook Day 2026 falls on Friday, September 18. It’s the perfect occasion to download a new digital book and settle in for a good read as the weekend approaches.

How many ebooks are published annually?

While precise figures vary, it’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of new ebooks are published globally each year, with a significant portion coming from independent authors. This vast output ensures a constant stream of new content for readers.

How popular are ebooks compared to print books?

Ebooks hold a significant share of the publishing market, with millions of readers preferring digital formats for their convenience and portability. While print books still dominate in certain segments, ebook sales remain robust, especially for genre fiction and academic texts.

What are the benefits of reading ebooks?

Ebooks offer numerous benefits, including portability (carrying an entire library on one device), instant access to new titles, adjustable font sizes, and often lower prices than physical books. They also reduce paper consumption.

Read An eBook Day Activities

Read an ebook
What better way is there to celebrate Read An eBook Day than to read an ebook?! You can use this day to read one of your favorite books or the next book on your reading list that is available in ebook format. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or hot choco while reading. You can also go to your favorite spot in the city and read the ebook.
Start an ebook club
An ebook club offers a lot more options than your average book club. That means you can meet online and collaborate on your reading. Also, you won't have to wait for the print copy of a book before starting your reading. Starting an ebook club is not as complicated as it may seem. Invite a few friends to work together with you on it, write a list of books that should be read for the first months, set meeting times, and promote your club on social media and event websites.
Write and publish your first ebook
Another way to celebrate Read An eBook Day as an aspiring author is to write your first ebook. In this internet age, getting your book out there is easier than ever. Using tools like Bit.ai, Google Docs, Calibre, and Scrivener, you can convert your novel into ebook formats within minutes at little to no cost. You can even have it for purchase online within hours with platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct, NOOK Press, Lulu, and Google Play.

5 Interesting Facts About EBooks That You Don't Know

A Bible commentary is the longest ebook
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is the longest single ebook, equivalent to 13,080 print pages.
Fiction reigns supreme
Fiction is the highest-selling ebook genre.
56,000 ebooks every 30 days
Every month, about 56,000 ebooks are self-published and released for readers' consumption.
Only a minority consume just ebooks
According to statistics, it's just 7% of the American adult population that only read ebooks.
Print books still outsell ebooks
Despite the global pandemic, sales of print books increased by 13.2%, and that of ebooks fell by 8%, compared to 2020.

Why We Love Read An eBook Day

eBooks are sustainable
Unlike print books, you don't have to cut down trees to publish ebooks. Also, you don’t need a dedicated room or library to store ebooks. That helps reduce your carbon footprint and the impact of climate change.
eBooks are accessible
Since ebooks are available online, you can quickly go to an online store, search for the latest book from your favorite author, and buy and download it in less than 10 minutes. With your smartphone, e-reader, or tablet, you can store hundreds of ebooks, placing information at your fingertips. These save you the time of driving to a bookstore or lugging books with you.
eBooks make it easier to become an author
With ebooks, you can have a book written today and publish it by the following day. You don’t need to have an entire editorial team or the backing of a major book publisher. That is especially helpful if you are a new author looking to build their experience or have a limited budget.