Book Lovers Day is celebrated on August 9 every year. This is an unofficial holiday observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature. People are advised to put away their smartphones and every possible technological distraction and pick up a book to read. Looks as though my granddaughter’s dog is definitely loving some books while my granddaughter was going through her book collection to make room on her shelves for more books. She’s definitely a book lover.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” (Charles William Eliot)
Some worry that we are forgetting how to enjoy reading because of all our electronic distractions. I do think I may have lost some reading moments to my phone and computer, but then that computer has opened up a lot of reading possibilities too. In fact, I listened to an audio book today while canning beans. I do definitely agree with the above quote that books can be friends and teachers and entertainers too.
“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” (Groucho Marx)
Groucho Marx’s quote made me smile and actually I’m right there with him. I’d much rather read than watch television.
“′Classic’ – a book which people praise and don’t read.” (Mark Twain)
You think Mark Twain hit the nail on the head here? I read a lot of the classics back when I was in high school. Maybe I thought it made me look smarter, but I do think reading those classics put words in my head and helped me learn how to string them together to come up with my own stories.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” (C.S. Lewis)
Love sitting down with a book and a cup of tea.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” (Stephen King)
I totally agree with Stephen King here, and I also think I don’t read enough.
“Don’t ever apologize to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that’s what they’re there for. Use your library). Don’t apologize to this author for buying books secondhand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend’s copy. What’s important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read…”(Neil Gaiman)
I definitely agree with Neil Gaiman here. While I might prefer everyone buy their very own copy of my books so I might hit a bestseller list, I am happy to hear that someone has read my books and thought it good enough to share. And I love libraries. I’ve used libraries all my life so I can hardly complain when a reader tells me they’ve borrowed my book from their library. I’m happy my books are in their libraries. Indeed, the most important thing is that somebody is reading my story. I love sharing my stories with readers.
“Reader’s Bill of Rights”(Daniel Pennac)
1. The right to not read
2. The right to skip pages
3. The right to not finish
4. The right to reread
5. The right to read anything
6. The right to escapism
7. The right to read anywhere
8. The right to browse
9. The right to read out loud
10. The right to not defend your tastes
I shared parts of this post back in 2018, but thought it was perfect again for National Book Lovers Day. One of my readers, Phyllis, commented back then that she had definitely not forgotten how to read. She said, “for me nothing will ever take the place of the feeling of a good book in your hands and the adventure of turning the next page.” The same as Phyllis, I do love the adventure of the next page. I’m so blessed to have been able to share some of those adventures with you in my own books. Thank you for reading and happy National Book Lovers Day.
So what do you think about the Reader’s Bill of Rights? I know there are already ten of them, but would you add anything or disagree with one of the ten?
It’s a great time too for one of my books to be on ebook sale. Check out An Appalachian Summer at your favorite internet book site and grab a copy for less than $3.
Comments 12
An addition to the 10 Bill of Rights:
“The right to read the ending first.”
Now hear me, I never have done that but I know someone quite well that does. Hard for me to believe or understand. Oh well, each to their own. 😊
Author
It’s a reader’s choice, Karen. Sometimes a reader just wants to know it’s going to come out all right in the end. Sometimes a reader gets impatient to know what’s going to happen. I don’t read the end, but sometimes I peek ahead, especially if I need to put the book down and do something else. That’s one thing reading ebooks keeps me from doing and the same with audio books. But with paper books you can peek a few pages ahead very easily. As you say, each to their own. 🙂
Ohhh, I missed the Book Lover’s Day…but isn’t that actually every day for book lovers? I love the quotes and the Readers Bill of Rights. The only thing I would add is the right to collect as many books as you like.
My youngest son told me, after helping me with a new bookcase, that I might have a hoarding problem. I replied, “it’s not hoarding if it’s books.” Then he said, “well what is it then? A library?” That’s when he got that mom look from me. 🙂
Ohhh, and great news today…it’s not about books but I’m excited, so I just have to share….that same son is going to be a daddy again in the early spring! Just when I thought there’d be no more grandbabies. Yay!
Author
Wonderful news for you, Lavon. A new grandbaby is always a blessing. I have to wait for the great grandbabies to come along now. Different, but still a blessing although I’m not hurrying any of the youngsters into parenthood. Some need some more years to pass for that.
I like your son’s suggestion. Lavon’s Library. Sounds right to me. I need some extra bookshelves too. I don’t think I’m hoarding. Just sometimes being overcome with too many books and too little time for the reading I want to do. I’m glad some of my books are on your “library” shelves.
I like the Readers Bill of Rights. It’s about everything a person that loves to read books can do.
I took the great offer to buy your book, An Appalachian Summer. I’ve just finished reading it. It was another of your wonderful mountain stories that I loved.
Author
That’s great, Connie, that you grabbed my book on ebook sale. I hope a few more readers will too. It’s even better that you enjoyed my Frontier Nursing story. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the Readers Bill of Rights.
I love books and holding, smelling and turning the pages. I laughed at the comment from Groucho Marx I sometimes agree and just turn off the TV and read. Of all the books you had displayed my favorite has to be When the Meadow Blooms.
Author
So glad you enjoyed going to Meadowland with my girls, Calla and Sienna, Donna Jean. I worried while writing that story that I might not be coming up with a story that readers would like. And now it has been one to get the notice of several awards. I did like getting to know those characters and loved the flashback scenes to Anneliese and Dirk.
I always prefer a book to a tv show. I used to watch more tv than I do now. That was before we got satellite tv and my husband got a remote to scroll through so many shows. Jumping to other shows isn’t bad when you are the one with the remote, but jarring when you aren’t. So, I choose a book where I’m the one turning the pages. LOL
Since I am a very visual person I would and the following: The right to buy a book because it’s cover is so pretty.
Author
I love that addition, Karen, especially since the cover of my latest book, In the Shadow of the River, is very pretty. 🙂 I am pulled to books with great covers too.
Hi Ann, Happy Book Lovers Day! I love the 10 rights that are listed in the Readers Bill of Rights and I believe Daniel Pennac was spot on. The only thing I would add is “The Right to Never Apologize for Reading”. I know this may seem redundant to these already listed but I need it anyway! After I started reviewing books and sharing them on my blog, a former co-worker of my husband’s asked him if I didn’t do anything but read. You can tell that my husband isn’t malnourished, his clothes are presentable, and he hasn’t asked me for a divorce so, NO, I don’t read all of the time. I do, however, read as much as I possibly can and I share about the books as much as I possibly can. Thanks, Ann, for being one of the authors that I love to support!
Author
I like that addition, Connie. I sometimes feel that bit of guilt that I’m reading instead of doing something that I think I should be doing. But most of the time I shake it off. Reading is actually important for a writer and others reading is even more important for a writer. 🙂 Thank you for how you support the writers of Christian fiction.