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Today is World Book Day

Bull City Press books on display at NCWN’s 2017 Fall Conference (c. David Leone)

Happy World Book Day!

This holiday for bibliophiles is celebrated the world over each year on April 23–the date Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all passed away.

(It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors, including Maurice Druon, Haldor K Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.)

As pretty much the entire world also is staying at home right now, this year’s holiday offers four slogans:

  • Read… so that no strangers remain
  • Read… grow wings and travel
  • Read… so that no culture stays unknown
  • Read… so you never feel alone

Businesses and organizations all over the world are getting in on the fun.

To help people discover the written word from around the world, Amazon has made nine books free for the Kindle.

This rundown highlights some international happenings.

If you’re helping a young person learn from home right now, why not tour and download free stuff from The Library of Congress?

Closer to home, many of us celebrate April 23 as “Give a Book to Your Loved One Day.” While it might be hard to grab a book today from your local bookstore (if you haven’t already), a homemade card with an “IOU” works just as well.

Or browse your local Free Little Library and gift something curated and personal!