World Book Night

World Book Night is a campaign to find light or non-readers in the community and hand them each a book. Person-to-person. To get more people reading.

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers give away books in their communities to share their love of reading. Successfully launched in the U.K. in 2011, World Book Night will also be celebrated in the U.S. and Germany in 2012, with more countries to come in future years.

How does World Book Night work?

In the U.S., 30 titles have been specially chosen and will be printed in their thousands in special World Book Night paperback editions. Givers apply to give away a particular book (you get a first, second and third choice) which they must commit to give away to those who don't regularly read to share and spread their love of reading. Each Giver receives 20 copies which they pick up from their local bookshops and libraries - the very heart of our reading communities - in the week before April 23. (The Regulator will be a World Book Night pick up location).

The greatest reading journeys start when you put a book in to someone's hand and say 'this one's amazing, you have to read it' and by applying to be a Giver you can help World Book Night give that experience to a million new readers on April 23. World Book Night, through social media and traditional publicity, will also promote the value of reading, of printed books, and of bookstores and libraries to everyone year-round.

Why April 23?

April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature. It is the date of the birth and death of Shakespeare, as well as the day Cervantes, the great Spanish novelist, died. It is in their honor that UNESCO appointed it the International Day of the Book and that it has been chosen to celebrate World Book Night.

Be a part of World Book Night! Go to http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/ to sign up to be a Giver, and to learn all about this fabulous program. All you need to become a giver is a little time, a love of books, and the desire to give something to your community. Think about where you'd like to give away the books before you go online to apply. You pick the place: hospital or diner, school or ... well, lots of possibilities. Be creative. And thank you! We love this idea and we will be your community center for World Book Night support.

The deadline to sign up is February 6th! And yes, you can give your books away during the day of April 23rd as well as in the evening.