Celebrate World Book Day 2011

Today World Book Day, if I'm to believe what I read on Twitter, although I also have it on good authority that World Book Night is on Saturday 5th March, so I'm not quite sure. Anyway it is a worldwide celebration where one million free books are given away across the UK and Ireland to encourage reading and enforce the importance of books. 

With the plight of the local libraries and the decline in book sales in the news at the moment, I can't think of a better time to revive our love for the written word. Books are fabulous resources, escapism and educational tools and we must help celebrate and preserve them for future generations to come.

The joy of reading is one that transcends age, gender, race, culture and even technology, whilst I am a bit of a purist when it comes to books I encourage children to engage in reading and writing on any media available. Young people are all about technology and ebooks, ipads and iphone apps simply make obtaining and reading titles and print media that much easier. However for me you just can't replace the comfort of turning crisp pages of a new novel, so if you love books why not get involved.

Kirkdale Bookshop will be having book themed events on Saturday 5th March, from 7pm - 9.30pm to mark World Book Night and customers are being asked to bring with them a wrapped copy of their favourite book, to exchange for another. Lovely, now I can make good use of the titles I have already read.

Forest Hill Library will be holding special events on Saturday including guest readings and performances from 4pm - 8pm, in order to mark World Book Day. Places for Forest Hill Library are limited so book in advance for a chance to win a free book: 020 8699 2065.

If you're planning on celebrating World Book Day or Night at your local library, then we would love to hear about it.

Photo: Wikimedia