World Book Night celebrates the pleasure and benefits of reading. It is promoted each year by the Reading Agency, a national charity with a clear message, that it doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you read!
#ReadingHour https://worldbooknight.org/get-involved
During the Covid pandemic it is more important than ever to engage in activities that help us to reduce anxiety and stress and promote good mental health and wellbeing.
Talking about reading and sharing book recommendations on April 23 as part of #Reading Hour will bring individuals, friends and families together to connect a nation in self isolation, whilst also stimulating learning and creativity and providing escapism and relief.” (Debbie Hicks, Reading Agency)
Why not spend an hour (or longer if you wish!) exploring your book of choice between 7-8pm this evening. Read alone, aloud with someone else, or call a friend to swap recommendations.
Share what you’re reading with us on Twitter @BSMHFT_Library, tagging #WorldBookNight and #ReadingHour too.
Read more about World Book Night
The social and health benefits of reading
The Reading Agency has revealed that the nation is reading more during lockdown with 1 in 3 adults reading more, rising to almost one in two (45%) 18-24 year olds (Reading Agency survey, 15-16 April, sample 2,103)
A study analysing social connectedness found that reading books significantly reduces feelings of loneliness for people aged 18-64 (Hilhorst, S, et al. (2018) A Society of Readers Demos p.12)
Resources for your reading journey
ManyRoadstoWellbeing – a collection of wellbeing themed reading suggestions
Birmingham Libraries e-book service (membership required)
Project Gutenberg e-book library (public domain)
Librivox audio books (public domain)
Subscription services – like Amazon Kindle and Audible UK
Access to some free content (usually on a trial basis – charges apply afterwards). If you already subscribe to Amazon Prime you have access to free e-book content. The Kindle app can be downloaded free of charge for Android, Apple and PC. Other free e-readers are also available from Google Play and Apple App Store.
