Today marks World Book Day, a global celebration of literature, story-telling, illustration and all things which belong parked on the page. This amazing charity is all about bringing people together through the power of books, in their own words offering ‘a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures….standing up for creativity, diversity and equal access to knowledge’. And truly, that’s something we should all be getting behind. With that in mind, and with the help of Happy Beds, here are 7 IDEAL ways to celebrate World Book Day.
THROW A ‘NOVEL’ THEMED COCKTAIL PARTY
Throwing a cocktail party based around a famous novel, perhaps serving up the author’s favourite drink, is a great way to get fully immersive and imaginative with reading. Of course, attendees will have to be familiar with the literature in question to participate; you could go the extra mile and ask people to come dressed up, in character, as their favourite person from the book. Sounds like a fun-filled evening to us.
MAKE A BEDTIME READING RESOLUTION
As the old adage goes, book lovers never go to bed lonely. However, this isn’t the only reason to read before bed. Curling up with a book can help boost well being, knowledge, imagination and restfulness. What’s more, it keeps at bay the temptation to be glued to the dreaded blue light of a phone, tablet or laptop right before you close your eyes. The holy grail of a great night’s sleep is closer with a good book.
START A BOOK CLUB
No, book clubs are not confined to romcom scenes of middle aged women gossiping about their husbands. Ditch the tea, biscuits and 50 shades, and instead start something unique and fulfilling. When done right, a book club can bring people together, encourage a greater sense of community and of course, get people reading more. Just what the mind and soul ordered, we think. In our experience, the best don’t revolve around a single friendship group, rather have a diverse, inclusive mix of folk from different backgrounds with varying tastes and opinions.
The majority of book clubs now take place online, allowing for people from different time zones, or those constrained by distance, to participate. For us, though, face-to-face, with physical books, is simply better. Anything to get away from those pesky screens, right?
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
Libraries are so much more than simply somewhere to find a book. They offer a shared experience, a safe haven, and somewhere where people can go to learn without having to spend money. They’re particularly important to those without the means to use the internet; allowing, for instance, the homeless to have access to computers. Vital work indeed.
In 2018 approximately 130 public libraries closed, with funding cut and government interest in keeping them running non-existent. Most local libraries are now run by volunteers, so on World Book Day the best thing you can do is support yours, either by donating money or your time.
WATCH A FILM ADAPTED FROM A NOVEL
Not much of a reader but still want to participate in World Book Day? Well, you could watch the film adaption of a famous novel to get into the spirit of the occasion. Some of the best of recent years include the Lord of the Rings series, the Life of Pi and of course, Harry Potter.
DONATE A BOOK
A favourite book is a cherished possession; something which has been through a roller coaster of emotions with you and has the marks to prove it. And as such, we often want to keep our most beloved books to ourselves for sentimental reasons. But sometimes, it’s better to let go. Rather than allowing a book to gather dust on your shelf, why not pass it on to someone you care about, and extend the shared experience. You’ll also free up some room for something new. Everyone’s a winner!
TAKE A TRIP TO A FAMOUS AUTHOR’S HANGOUT
Why not channel the inspiration behind one of your favourite authors by taking a trip to their old hangouts, haunts and stomping grounds. We’ve written more about planning your next holiday around a beloved book here. Check it out!
