National Book Lover’s Day: Celebrating the Love for the Written World

As popularly quoted by people, “there is no friend as loyal as a book” (Ernest Hemingway) we assure you that this is absolute truth. Books have a universal language of love that binds people from all over the world. From the scent of a new book, finding a second-hand book in a local market to procuring a rare edition of a book in a library, books have a unique way of making their space in our lives.

Reading is one of the best hobbies one can inculcate in themselves. It is not limited to any one kind of genre, be it children’s books, fantasy, dystopia, or autobiographies, there is no benchmark for a reader as such. So as an ode to this paradise of the written word that lets you imagine and create your reality, National Book Lovers Day is celebrated on 9th August every year. And what better way to celebrate this day than by revisiting your favourite books or reading the book that is on your to-be-read list for so long?

Back to the Origins of the Book

While the day’s origin and how it came into being is still a mystery, we can think it must be the enthusiasm of a fellow bibliophile. But we can dive into the history of the book and educate ourselves on that. As Stephen King rightly said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic”, it started by carving on stone tablets, the book was meant to make portable the writings and drawings of people that could not carry about stone tablets. It was originally made of parchment or vellum(calf-skin), which was securely bound with a wooden cover. To keep the wood from becoming wet, the wooden cover was often firmly wrapped in leather and secured with clasps or straps.

Then the Printing Press was invented and took over the book printing business. This made the procuring of books cheaper and more accessible. Typewriters and computers also made a significant change in the market of books. Taking over everything is now the digital arena of smartphones. Technological advancement has made it possible to carry a whole library in our pockets anywhere we want. Be it the traditional way of paper books or digital copies, one thing that binds everyone is our endless love for the magic of books.

Also Read: Top 5 Books to Add to Your Reading List in July and August

National Book Lover’s Day: 10 Ways to Celebrate the Special Day

1. The best way is to put your phone away, sit back, relax, and read your favourite book in your favourite corner of the house.
2. Host your book club– share your thoughts on your favourite author book. Have endless discussions on everybody’s favourite books, exchange copies, and swoon over your favourite character.
3. Attend a virtual event– several authors, publishers, and readers hold such events where one can participate and engage.
4. Visit a Library- enter into the plethora of old and new books where you can find notes on the books and smiles across the room of fellow bibliophiles.
5. Take yourself on a date to a cafe– What better than dressing up, taking your favorite book, ordering hot coffee or your favorite food, and reading while sitting on the seat near the window. Looks straight out a dream vision.
6. Listen to an audiobook– If you haven’t tried audiobooks yet, take this chance to do so. They are relaxing and calming for you.
7. Start something new– Waiting to start a blog or a YouTube channel? Consider this as a sign to start that right away and present your thoughts to the world.
8. Catch up with your reading buddy– Contact old friends to borrow an old copy or to share the memories of childhood or school libraries.
9. Organize your bookshelf– If you have been lazy and have been wanting to clean the mess for a long, use this opportunity and organize your shelf. Who knows you might find something interesting resting within one of your books?
10. Donate- One of the best things one could do to celebrate this day. Share the gift of knowledge and donate the books to NGOs, schools, or children in your building or area.

Top 5 Recommended Books

This article is incomplete without mentioning some amazing books from around the World. Here are some top picks:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. A Chronicle of Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Towards Zero by Agatha Christie
4. Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai
5. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Ending this piece with a quote by Jhumpa Lahiri, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”

So, pick your dearest book and travel to the world of your imagination this National book lovers’ day.