The email came.  I whooped!  I hollered!  I yelled at the husband and told him that I was in!  Yes–this news deserves all of those exclamation marks, my friends, because “I” was selected to be a World Book Night 2014 giver!

One of my bloggy friends, Bernie, who writes a very witty and engaging blog over at One Mixed Bag got me interested last year when she put information on Facebook about World Book Night.  I had never heard of it before so of course I was drawn in since I am all about reading.

So what does it mean? It means I get to give away 20 free books! I checked with our local library and they agreed that I could give the books away in the commons area if I was selected. I completed a short application outlining where I would distribute books and how I hoped to reach those who did not have books of their own or access to them. I know that the library is a great place to reach readers but it is also a great place to reach those who may not have a massive collection of their own so I felt that my first “place” should be the place that I love the most in Mason City–the Mason City Public Library. I am hopeful that our library will step up to the challenge next year and be involved in World Book Night on their own and that I will have had a teeny part in getting the experience to them.

The following paragraph taken from World Book Night’s website details a bit about their mission:

Each year, 30- 35 books are chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions. Bookstores and libraries sign up to be community host locations for the volunteer book givers.

After the book titles are announced, members of the public apply to personally hand out 20 copies of a particular title in their community. World Book Night U.S. vets the applications, and the givers are chosen based on their ability to reach light and non-readers. The selected givers choose a local participating bookstore or library from which to pick up the 20 copies of their book, and World Book Night U.S. delivers the books to these host locations.

Givers pick up their books in the week before World Book Night. On April 23rd, they give their books to those who don’t regularly read and/or people who don’t normally have access to printed books, for reasons of means or geography.

The list of books for this year was impressive and it was difficult to narrow it down to my top three choices. When I got my confirmation email I was thrilled to see that my number one choice was selected and I am thrilled to be able to give out copies of Garrison Keillor’s Pontoon.

If you are interested in buying a copy click on the picture or this link to take you to the Amazon page where you can purchase a copy of your own.  Seems quite appropriate for our area and it is a wonderful book so I am quite pleased. If you have not heard of World Book Night before please take time to go check out their website and consider joining in in 2015.