World Book Night

April 23 is Shakespeare’s birthday, the UNESCO International Day of the Book and, since 2011, World Book Night. Each year, 30 books are selected and specially printed in paperback editions that are given away by volunteers on World Book Night. In 2012, poet/writer/artist Nancy Canyon* was a volunteer ‘giver’ in Bellingham. Here’s what she has to say about the experience:

“World Book Night was exciting and eye-opening. I handed out Maya Angelou’s book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings at the train and bus station in Fairhaven. Some folks said they rarely read or had little time to read. But receiving a free book gave them incentive and they were excited to crack it open. A few folks turned down the free book. One homeless woman whom I’d seen around the area was particularly excited, as she’d lost her job and home had lots of time on her hands.

World Book Night was as good an experience for me as it was for the receivers, as I walked past many judgments I had about who would be a reader, who would be open to a gift of a book (some folks wanted to know what the catch was), and who would be friendly to a stranger approaching them. I would highly recommend participating in this event.”

To see the titles of this year’s books, click here, or visit the World Book Night website for more extensive information. To sign up in Bellingham (it’s not too soon), contact Village Books. If you’re not in Bellingham, ask your local independent bookseller for information.

*Among her many credits, Nancy Canyon was a 2007 Walk Award winner and she created the cover art and was an editor for Poetry Walk: Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest, The First Five Years. You can download Nancy’s e-books here, visit her website, and check out her writing blog and art blog.

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