Happy International Book Giving Day!

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You might already have been wished Happy Valentines Day, but maybe I am the first to wish you a Happy International Book Giving Day! This takes place on 14th February each year and aims to get books into the hands of as many children as possible. If you’d like to help celebrate you could give a book to a friend or family member, leave a book in a waiting room for children to read, or donate a used book, in good condition, to a local library, hospital or shelter. If you don’t have a suitable book to hand, there are many charities such as Book Aid International which would welcome your support.

I’ve also just found out today about a Crowdfunder to set up an international Directory of Independent Publishers. The founders want to make it possible for readers to discover exciting new titles, for writers to discover publishers that align with their interests, and for publishers to reach them.

I’ve enjoyed the gift of reading all my life and I want to pass it on. These two initiatives are a great way to do that.

Books and Libraries

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  3. I’m a bit late for the book day but I’ve just read a children’s book called ‘Flood and Fire’ for a second time by Emily Diamand , a Times Children’s Fiction Winner as it’ s an enjoyable read for both adults and children, likewise Simon Mayo’s ‘Itch’ about a schoolboy element hunter. I keep all the best books I’ve read but it’s a shame they are dying out in paper form but publisher’s these days, because of online competition, are mainly interested in books they think will make a sure profit for them and I’ve read a few articles that if you are an unsolicited author, like myself, and you submit an un-requested new manuscript it’s got one in a thousand chance of being read or accepted for print which is the main reason I opted for Kindle self publishing. There was a guy recently who had two best sellers out in print but it took him ten long years of trying to eventually get them noticed by a publisher and printed up. I didn’t want to wait that long. Mind you, vinyl records are making something of a comeback these days so maybe books will as well.

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    • I still buy paper books – and online books – and borrow them from the library, it just depends on circumstances at the time. I hope real books never die out – I don’t mind online for a novel I’m unlikely to read again, but some books I want to treasure.

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  6. Never heard of this Anabel but what a great idea. We already donate our books – we get through a huge number in our house – and like you say, anything that can pass on the gift of reading is a truly great thing.

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  11. Books are wonderful aren’t they … thanks for letting us know about these links … I’m happy giving books away – mine go to the local hospice charity … and I really must do more … thanks for reminding us of ‘the day’ other than a Valentine … cheers Hilary

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  13. My brother did Teach for America here – it’s a program to get people into bad schools in the hopes of improving them. Among the many striking things about the lives of the kids he taught was how few of them had ever owned a single book, let alone the many, many books I grew up with. He collected books for them that year, so that everyone could have a book of their very own – most of them for the first time.

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  16. Thank you, Anabel. I didn’t know it either. Is it possible that you invented this? Ha!
    Seriously, whoever came up with this idea deserve a big award!
    Have a great day.

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  17. Thank you Anabel; I didn’t know about this. I shouldn’t need an excuse to share books, but since you’ve given me the perfect one, I’m off to spend the Valentine’s Day budget (Big T is away and seems to have totally forgotten anyway) on a a few Kiwi classic kids books for my local Refuge.

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  19. Books any day are the best gift – especially for children and those who remember childhood.
    Still I wold prefer International Book Giving Day be awarded it’s own special space so as not to get lost in the sugar and tossed quickly aside. It’s too important to not be given full attention.

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  21. Can’t say that I’ve ever been wished happy International Book Giving Day. A first for everything. You sparked something inside me Anabel. Thank you! We have tons of children’s books that my kids have outgrown and now I have more ideas about their new home 🙂

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