World Book Night 2014 Is Here!

It is April 23rd and that signals two important events. First of all it is the 29th birthday of my sweet son, Micah! Happy Birthday to an amazing son! The other event is a world wide event. Back in February I shared the wonderful news that I was one of the chosen ones meaning that I was selected to be a book giver for World Book Night on April 23, 2014. You can read here how excited I was to be chosen.

If you are not aware of what World Book Night is all about it is an amazing opportunity for people like me to give away 20 copies of selected books to light and non-readers in their communities free of charge to both the giver and the receiver. According to their website at World Book Night the process is as follows:

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.

I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to give away 20 copies of Garrison Keillor’s novel Pontoon today, Wednesday, April 23rd at the Mason City Public Library from 5:30-7 pm in the Commons. If you are in the area and are a non -reader or light reader or know of someone who is please come over and pick up a copy. It is a wonderful way to share the love of reading with someone who has not discovered it and I am hoping that I can give all 20 copies away to folks who could really benefit from having a free book put into their hands. If I can’t give them away at the library I will be going out into the community to finish the giveaway to folks who might not otherwise get the chance to own this book.

There will be stories, I am sure, and lots of them. I would love to spend the time talking to people about their love of books and how they have been a part of their lives over the years. I feel very blessed to be a part of this great group and can hardly wait for the books to be in the hands of some hopefully new readers.

Linda Friedow, librarian at Britt Public Library shows off one of “my” books!

I picked my books up at the Britt Public Library and while I was unable to attend the special reception that they had for the “givers” this year I was thrilled to be able to only have to travel a short distance to the pick up location. I am hoping that next year the Mason City Public Library will become more involved and be a possible pick up location for anyone who wants to participate.

Want to know what books made the list this year? Below is the complete list of books for 2014—how many have you read?