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I was so excited to find out September 6th is National Read A Book Day #ReadABookDay. I don’t know about you but I love reading books and I never leave home without a book. How about you? Are you reading a book this week if so what book are you reading and why?
I was going to start reading Danielle Steel’s book Golden Moments this morning but I decided I needed to save the book until we go to Oklahoma next week because a #RoadTrip calls for a book or two doesn’t it? Instead I read a book Charlie would have enjoyed as a child Construction Site: Garbage Crew to the Rescue for a review you can see here.
National Read a Book Day falls on September 6th and National Read A Book Day calls all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free. Bringing new worlds to life, books enlighten us and transport us on exciting adventures.
Books can challenge our perspectives on the human experience in ways unmatched by other media. In a world deluged by technology, National Read a Book Day encourages us to silence the noise and turn the pages for a while.
While National Read a Book Day is believed to have originated in the US, other details of the day’s history are unclear. What is clear, though, is Americans’ love for books! And, for many, National Read A Book Day is a welcomed day because 81% of us don’t feel we spend as much time reading as we would like. Today is the perfect opportunity to set aside a little time to catch up on our “to read” list.
The popularity of book clubs points to our ongoing love for books. Did you know books date back to the 1600s with women’s Bible studies. But, in the last few decades, reading has taken on a much more social element influenced, in large part, by Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club. Starting in 1996, Oprah’s Book Club recommended 70 books contributing to over $55 million in sales and Oprah’s Book Club been credited with inspiring millions of people to read books.
Over 74% of Americans have read at least one book in the last 12 months. The busyness of life definitely gets in the way of our reading pursuits with many other activities competing for our time. Luckily, electronic platforms have made it easier for us to read on the go. Almost 20% of books consumed are now via electronic platforms. Whatever format you prefer, grab or download the book on the top of your stack and dive in!
National Read a Book Day Activities
- Read a book is the point of the day but you can put a fun spin on reading by joining a reading challenge. To find a reading challenge Google “reading challenge” images and you’ll see dozens of checklists and ideas on selecting books that will stretch your imagination while finding a book you won’t be able to put down.
- Chances are, you have a local public library that can always use volunteers because libraries do a lot of important work for their communities creating a safe, quiet space for children to learn. Community meetings are held in libraries and many functions including polling places during elections.
- Donating books to your local library is a great way to share knowledge with your community and book donations often help libraries flesh out their shelves.
- Share your passion for reading with someone. Read to your children and pass along your love of books to them. You could also volunteer to read to an elderly adult unable to read on their own. Reading aloud to other children and adults not only improves your brain function and reduces your stress level, but it also creates a connection they will treasure forever and stimulates their brain activity as well.
Fun Facts About Bookworms
- Over 675 million print books were sold in the US throughout 2018.
- Americans spend an average of $28 on books annually.
- Adults aged 18 – 29 are most likely to have read at least one book in the last 12 months.
- The US tied with Germany as #22 in the world for time spent reading at just under 6 hours per week; India holds the top spot at almost 12 hours reading per person per week.
- One study showed adults who read at least 30 minutes per week are 20% more satisfied with life than those who are not spending the same time reading.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY
- It’s rare that you would read a book and not experience a new thought or perspective you’ve never considered before we open ourselves to new information when we read and can walk in someone else’s shoes for a while.
- Frequent readers tend to be more aware of cultural differences and social issues while showing more compassion and understanding.
- Studies prove that avid readers show fewer signs of stress and have higher problem-solving abilities than people who don’t read.
- Reading renews energy, elevates mood, promotes more restful sleep, and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia through brain activity. Overall, reading leads to a longer, healthier life.
- With the popularity of book clubs, reading is now considered a team sport. Having a group of friends to share the highlights, learning points and humor of books makes reading that much more fun.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
