World Book Night is a national celebration of reading and books that takes place on April 23^rd every year. Up and down the country, everyone from libraries, local businesses, health organisations and many more celebrate the difference that reading makes to people’s lives. People from all backgrounds are brought together for one reason – to inspire others to read more.

This year, there will be a #ReadingHour from 7pm to 8pm and students can also register now to download one of four free audiobooks. They will then receive an email on April 23^rd to download their free audiobook.  (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the four available and is recommended for sci-fi and comedy fans of all ages). Registration closes at midnight on April 22nd.

Of the other books being featured this year, the following titles are suited to children/young adults are:  

• Crossover
• Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy
• Things a Bright Girl Can Do
• On the Come Up
• Somebody Give this Heart a Pen
• The Truth About Lies
• One of Us is Next

How students can get involved in World Book Night:

• Read a book on April 23rd! Share what you’re reading on social media using #WorldBookNight to join the online celebration
• Join Cambridgeshire Libraries online if you have not already, and help a member of your household to do the same 
• Recommend a book to a member of your household (or on the phone to a friend) that they can either read now or add to their own TBR (to be read) list.
• Sort through your bookshelf into piles to keep, piles to swap, piles to donate to a charity in the future.
• Read an extract of a favourite story to a member of your household and get them to do the same to you, then talk about why it's your favourite.
• Read a passage from a book you are currently reading to a member of your household - this could include pets! 
• Write or update your TBR list of books for the rest of the year, aim for a minimum of 16 titles but add as many as you want! Keep it going throughout the year, adding new titles and ticking them off as you go.
• Swap a book with someone in your household.
• Have literary themed food/drinks on April 23rd, with a menu designed by you for members of your household to choose from (how will your favourite books or characters, such as Harry Potter inspired potions, translate into your food and drinks for the day?!)
• If you or one of your household is a budding author, read an extract of your own writing to them, or ask them to read some of their work to you.
• Watch a film adaption of a book as part of your evening entertainment.
• Host a quiz night for your household with bookish themed questions.
• Have some fun on World Book Night! Do you remember World Book Day in school last month? Try using clothes/items in your house to dress up as a book character for the day/evening.  Could you suggest outfits for members of your family too?!
• Could you do any of the above with a friend on the phone/videocall too?

Let us know if you have a go at any of the activities above.

Don’t forget that eBooks are available from Cambridgeshire Libraries. 

It’s worth remembering at this time that reading for pleasure is linked to fewer feelings of stress and depression, better sleeping patterns and improved literacy.