Friday, March 9, 2007
World Book Day
I was sad to learn that I missed World Book Day on March 1st (the 10th WBD, as it happens), but since it's only a few days since then - less than a fortnight as they'd say in some of my favorite books - I'm mentioning it now (with thanks to Stephen Lang). It's an occasion for celebrating, sharing (lists of books and, of course, books), and giving books. The British Library has an Adopt a Book plan which they call "a novel present idea" and I figure serious praise is due a title fashioned with two puns in four words! World Book Day seems a really big deal in the U.K. what with loads of inexpensive book tokens that purchase six- and ten-packs of ten books for pre- and secondary schoolchildren. There's also a survey to learn people's top ten books they can't live without. The #1 choice was Pride and Prejudice, followed by Lord of the Rings, Jane Eyre, all Harry Potter books, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Bible, Wuthering Heights, 1984, His Dark Materials and Great Expectations. Good books, all, though I'm a bit surprised there aren't more outrageous choices considering kids were involved. There's also a game matching public figures and books, and an e-cards page. All very cool. I will be aware and prepared next year. In the meantime, I'll just sacrifice myself this weekend and read a book in commemoration.Labels: anniversaries, books
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