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National Read a Book Day

Once upon a time, a reader's journey began with a book in hand, and adventures unfolded within its pages. Let your imagination soar with every page turn!

Books & LiteratureHobbies & ActivitiesReading & Writing55
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Drive September book sales and library engagement by positioning reading as an accessible escape and personal growth opportunity for diverse audiences.

Relevance 55medium intent
  • Share your favorite book discovery this September—tag us for a chance to be featured
  • Back-to-school reading lists: curated picks for every age and interest
  • Bookstore/library spotlight: celebrate local reading communities with exclusive September discounts

History

The first celebration of National Read a Book Day was around the end of the first decade of the 2000s and was almost certainly the idea of a librarian, probably one who was encouraging youngsters to read a book.

Of course, there are a lot of significant dates in history relating to books. In 1455, people around the World were given the chance to read thanks to the Gutenberg Bible. This was the first book that was mass-printed. It was produced in Mainz, Germany. As the name indicates, it is a Bible. It was produced by Johann Gutenberg and it is written in Latin.

The first book that was printed in English was the “The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye.” This was printed by William Caxton in 1473. The text is a translation of the French stories about Troy. We’d have to wait several hundred years for the first book to be written on a typewriter. This was Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer.”


FAQ
When is National Read a Book Day?
National Read a Book Day comes every year on September 6 when people set aside other activities and enjoy the beauty of reading a good, old-fashioned book.[1]
How to Read a Book online?
The internet offers a variety of sources to read online books for free, especially older books that have aged out of their copyright. Project Gutenberg, Open Book, Open Library and The Library of Congress all have free items on offer.[1]
What is National Read a Book Day?
National Read a Book Day is just what it sounds like–it’s a day that encourages people to read a book! Set aside some time to sit in a room and quietly read a book–whether reading for yourself or to a child.[1]
How to celebrate National Read a Book Day?
Whether going to a library, starting a book club, donating a book or buying one, this is the day to enjoy everything that has to do with reading and sharing a book.[1]
How was the first book printed?
The first books were originally written by hand, then block printing was used in China in the Tang Dynasty, followed by the printing press that came into commercial use in 1450.[1]