#Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial by Bruce Porter

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Read a Book Day

For some people, reading is their ultimate form of relaxation and fun! For others, reading can seem like a bit of a chore. No matter what category you fall into, we encourage you to embrace National Read a Book Day. Usually, it is simply about finding the right book for you. From memoirs to sci-fi; there are so many different types of books out there today, so use National Read a Book Day to find the perfect book for you to really get stuck into. Read on to discover everything that you need to know about National Read a Book Day and the different ways that you can celebrate this date.

Learn about National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day is the perfect day to get lost in a good book. You are encouraged to get your head down and get lost in a story, whether fact or fictional. It is also a great day for encouraging others to read books and raising awareness about them. After all, there are many different benefits that are associated with reading. This includes the fact that it can lower stress, as well as improving concentration and memory. Studies have shown that adults who spend time reading tend to take part in activities over their lifetime that are more mentally stimulating when compared with those who don’t, as well as showing a slower cognitive decline. Plus, books are an inexpensive way of learning more about the world and having fun.

There are so many reasons why we recommend reading a book, not only on National Read a Book Day, but whenever you find time out of your bust schedule to do so. Reading a book gives you the chance to sit in your favorite chair and enjoy some peace and quiet after all. Plus, if you are one of those people that love quotes, you are going to find plenty of good ones when reading a book.

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

Other reasons why we recommend reading books is because most movies out there are based on novels, which often tend to be better than the films. After all, there is only so much that you can cram into a couple of hours on screen, whereas a book is going to enable you to delve deeper into the journey. Plus, books aren’t only about reading great tales. There are a lot of books out there that can change your perspective on life and help you to live life to the fullest. You will be surprised by how much a book like this can change your outlook and bring a lot of good to your existence.

History of National Read a Book Day

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.”

National Read a Book Day Timeline

4000 BC Writing begins in Mesopotamia

With some rudimentary squiggles and lines that represent pictures of animals, marks are made on clay that are the first parts of writing.

Akkadian Princess and High Priestess Enheduanna writes hymns and signs her name on the clay tablets. These and other early texts are meant to be read out loud.

7th Century BC First organized library is established

In the Ancient Middle East, an Assyrian ruler in Nineveh creates a collection of more than 30,000 cruciform tablets.

1450 Gutenberg invents the printing press

An invention that changed everything for education is developed as a working prototype in Germany by Gutenberg. It is ready for commercial use in just a few more years.

1800s-1900s Literacy rates rise

As the Industrial Revolution brings an increase of accessibility to books, the ability to read also increases for the common person.

How to celebrate National Read a Book Day

Reading is a form of prayer, a guided meditation that briefly makes us believe we’re someone else, disrupting the delusion that we’re permanent and at the center of the universe. Suddenly (we’re saved!) other people are real again, and we’re fond of them.

On National Read a Book Day, it’s not compulsory to read a whole book but the day serves as inspiration to people to read a section of a book they particularly enjoyed, to read with children, to donate a book to a children’s school library, or to host a book reading party.

Although the day was probably thought of with print books in mind, e-books are equally suitable for celebrating National Read a Book Day. The main goal is to encourage reading, as both fiction and non-fiction books open up huge unknown vistas to enquiring minds.

Taking the opportunity to enjoy some time out of the day to relax and read is good for the soul and the mind.

Not only is National Read a Book Day a good day for you to, well, read a book, but it is also a good day to encourage other people to do the same. You can spread the word online about the benefits that are associated with reading. You can share your favorite books, as they may encourage other people to give them a read.

We would also recommend joining a book club. You can join a book club in your local area or you could join an online book club if you don’t want to go to meetings face-to-face. Book clubs are a lot of fun because they encourage you to read more and you can share your thoughts on a good book with others. If you are already a member of a book club, why not use National Read a Book Day to organize a book party for them? You can invite all of the members of the book club and discuss a book. You can all bring a dish that is inspired by the book. This is a great way to have fun and celebrate your love of books together.

Another way to celebrate National Read a Book Day is by organizing your books. Do you have a whole host of books scattered around your home? Maybe you have a book full of books that is simply gathering dust? If so, now would be the perfect opportunity for you to organize your books. You can decide on which books you’re going to keep and which books you won’t read again. For the ones that you won’t read again, you have several different options here. You could take them to a second-hand book store, you could sell them online, or you could donate them to a charity. It’s up to you! You will feel much better for it. After all, clutter can cause chaos in the mind, and this can make it impossible for you to relax and fully embrace a good book.

So there you have it: some of the different ways that you can celebrate National Read a Book Day. Of course, the best way to celebrate this day is by grabbing a good book and getting lost in it.

National Read a Book Day FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

World Book Day

Some people like to read the biographies of the most influential people in history, like Martin Luther King or Mahatma Ghandi. Some people like novels that send chills down their spines, from goth horror novels like Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” to Stephen King’s epistolary novel, “Carrie”. Some prefer the classics, like “Pride and Prejudice” or the “Old Man and the Sea”.

But regardless of the kind of books you like the most, the indisputable truth is that the world would not be the same without books. Books have been educating and inspiring us for thousands of years, so it should go without saying that World Book Day is a more than a well-deserved holiday.

Books are more than simple pieces of paper with words on them (or, in the case of digital books, a bunch of pixels on a screen). They’re a door into another world, whether that’s one full of fiction and imagination or a factual world that teaches you incredible new things. World Book Day is all about celebrating the wonderful power of books and the joy of reading. It’s especially meant to help encourage a love of reading in children, but people of all ages can recognize and celebrate the day.

World Book Day has a strong connection with schools, and it’s used worldwide to allow school children to engage with reading and their favorite books. It’s not just a day to indulge a love of books, but also a day where children and young people can gain access to books.

History of World Book Day

Books did not always look the way they do today, with their glossy covers and creamy pages. When writing systems were invented in ancient civilizations thousands of years ago, clay tablets were used. Later, humanity moved on to using papyrus. In the 3rd century, the Chinese were the first to make something that resembled today’s books in that they consisted of numerous thick, bamboo pages sewn together. Then, in the mid-15th century, Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press brought books into the industrial age, making them readily available to anyone who wanted to read them. It is thanks to than ingenious invention that we are all able to enjoy the works of Shakespeare, Tolstoy and many others in the comfort of our own homes today.

World Book Day was created on April 23rd, 1995, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The connection between that date and books, however, was made in Spain in 1923, as it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, prominent Spanish Chronicler.

There were a few ideas for the day of the year that World Book Day should be held. Originally, Vicente Clavel Andrés, a Valencian writer, suggested that the day should be on a day that honored the author Miguel de Cervantes. This would be either his birthday, October 7, or his death date, April 23. The latter date is the one that was chosen because it was also the date that William Shakespeare died and when Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died too. In fact, several other prominent authors have also died on April 23 – perhaps authors should be wary of this date!

In some countries, World Book Day actually takes place on other days of the year, despite the fact that the international event was created by UNESCO. For example, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Ireland all celebrate their own World Book Day events on a different day. However, the international day has been held on the same day each year since it began in 1995.

World Book Day Timeline

4000 BC

While history is unclear about the exact timing, scrolls are used by well-educated people and act as the predecessors to books.

1st Century AD

More compact and durable than scrolls, codices are developed to make papers easier to handle and travel with, especially when assembled of parchment paper with covers created from wood.

1430s Printing Press is Invented

The earliest mention of a printing press in historical records in Strasbourg, Germany in relation to Johannes Gutenburg.

1582 First Dictionary is Printed

The first English Dictionary is created by Richard Mulcaster.

1923 Booksellers in Spain Celebrate Cervantes

In a nod to Miguel de Cervantes, booksellers in Catalonia instigate a book exchange on April 23, in honor of the famous author’s death.

1971 Books are First Digitized

The first supplier of electronic books, Project Gutenberg begins at the University of Illinois when Michael Hart transcribes a copy of the Declaration of Independence at the University of Illinois in the US. The project continues as a free online library of more than 60,000 eBooks.

1995 World Book Day Inaugural Celebration

The United Nations makes a push toward literacy with World Book Day (also called World Book and Copyright Day). Since Catalonia traditionally celebrates on April 23, the United Nations keeps this date. Incidentally, the day coincides with what is celebrated as the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

March 6, 1997 World Book Day Celebrated in UK and Ireland

While most countries celebrate Book Day in April, the UK and Ireland have a tradition of celebrating on the first Thursday in March. It began as Children’s book day, but has continued to foster reading for people of all ages.

2000 World Book Capital City Initiative Starts

This initiative seeks to motivate countries throughout the world to take part. Each year a capital city is chosen to maintain the drive of World Book Day all throughout the year, creating a deeper connection with literacy and publishing. World Book Capital for 2021 is Tbilisi, Georgia.

2011 World Book Night Begins

In an effort to move celebrations of reading into the evening and focus more on adults instead of children, World Book Night starts in the UK.

How to celebrate World Book Day

Passionate book lovers can celebrate World Book Day in a number of ways, and spread the positive ways reading can affect your life. It’s the day when you can put some thought into how to encourage others to read more too, especially if you’re a parent or you work with students. You can read a favorite book and even read it out loud to children, young people, or perhaps some older people who would appreciate someone reading to them.

The absolute best way to celebrate this day would be to find the time to do some reading. Do you have a book you just can’t get around to finishing? Today’s the time to curl up on the couch or a blanket outside with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy every last page.

If you have children, this could be the perfect day to teach them about the joys of reading. In today’s world, we are so flooded with images and videos that we run a very real risk of abandoning reading entirely–why bother if we can just watch a movie? Imagination is a child’s best friend, so make sure you contribute to keeping that little imagination as active as possible. Pick a topic your child is interested in, and spend part of this day exploring the magical world of literature together!

Yet another way to go about celebrating this day would be to get together with some friends for a reading of a book you all love. Hearing someone read aloud sentences you have only ever murmured to yourself could cause you to see them in a whole new way by adding feeling or emphasis of some certain elements. Furthermore, varied interpretations of a book could make for animated discussions about who did what and why they did it.

Whichever way you choose to celebrate World Book Day, make sure it’s an educational experience for you and those you care about. As acclaimed author Alan Bennett once said: “A book is a device to ignite the imagination.” World Book Day is a registered UK charity on a mission to give every child and young person a book of their own. It’s also a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.

Unlike some other days started by the UN, there are no themes for World Book Day, so you’re free to think up anything you like to celebrate. You can find various materials and inspiration from UNESCO each year, which will help to inspire you and encourage you to think of some creative ways to celebrate the day. You don’t need to be a teacher or someone who works with children to make this day a fun one, although it is a fantastic way to encourage children to read.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

National Read a Book Day

For some people, reading is their ultimate form of relaxation and fun! For others, reading can seem like a bit of a chore. No matter what category you fall into, we encourage you to embrace National Read a Book Day. Usually, it is simply about finding the right book for you. From memoirs to sci-fi; there are so many different types of books out there today, so use National Read a Book Day to find the perfect book for you to really get stuck into. Read on to discover everything that you need to know about National Read a Book Day and the different ways that you can celebrate this date.

Learn about National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day is the perfect day to get lost in a good book. You are encouraged to get your head down and get lost in a story, whether fact or fictional. It is also a great day for encouraging others to read books and raising awareness about them. After all, there are many different benefits that are associated with reading. This includes the fact that it can lower stress, as well as improving concentration and memory. Studies have shown that adults who spend time reading tend to take part in activities over their lifetime that are more mentally stimulating when compared with those who don’t, as well as showing a slower cognitive decline. Plus, books are an inexpensive way of learning more about the world and having fun.

There are so many reasons why we recommend reading a book, not only on National Read a Book Day, but whenever you find time out of your bust schedule to do so. Reading a book gives you the chance to sit in your favorite chair and enjoy some peace and quiet after all. Plus, if you are one of those people that love quotes, you are going to find plenty of good ones when reading a book.

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

Other reasons why we recommend reading books is because most movies out there are based on novels, which often tend to be better than the films. After all, there is only so much that you can cram into a couple of hours on screen, whereas a book is going to enable you to delve deeper into the journey. Plus, books aren’t only about reading great tales. There are a lot of books out there that can change your perspective on life and help you to live life to the fullest. You will be surprised by how much a book like this can change your outlook and bring a lot of good to your existence.

History of National Read a Book Day

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.”

National Read a Book Day Timeline

4000 BC Writing begins in Mesopotamia

With some rudimentary squiggles and lines that represent pictures of animals, marks are made on clay that are the first parts of writing.

Akkadian Princess and High Priestess Enheduanna writes hymns and signs her name on the clay tablets. These and other early texts are meant to be read out loud.

7th Century BC First organized library is established

In the Ancient Middle East, an Assyrian ruler in Nineveh creates a collection of more than 30,000 cruciform tablets.

1450 Gutenberg invents the printing press

An invention that changed everything for education is developed as a working prototype in Germany by Gutenberg. It is ready for commercial use in just a few more years.

1800s-1900s Literacy rates rise

As the Industrial Revolution brings an increase of accessibility to books, the ability to read also increases for the common person.

How to celebrate National Read a Book Day

Reading is a form of prayer, a guided meditation that briefly makes us believe we’re someone else, disrupting the delusion that we’re permanent and at the center of the universe. Suddenly (we’re saved!) other people are real again, and we’re fond of them.

On National Read a Book Day, it’s not compulsory to read a whole book but the day serves as inspiration to people to read a section of a book they particularly enjoyed, to read with children, to donate a book to a children’s school library, or to host a book reading party.

Although the day was probably thought of with print books in mind, e-books are equally suitable for celebrating National Read a Book Day. The main goal is to encourage reading, as both fiction and non-fiction books open up huge unknown vistas to enquiring minds.

Taking the opportunity to enjoy some time out of the day to relax and read is good for the soul and the mind.

Not only is National Read a Book Day a good day for you to, well, read a book, but it is also a good day to encourage other people to do the same. You can spread the word online about the benefits that are associated with reading. You can share your favorite books, as they may encourage other people to give them a read.

We would also recommend joining a book club. You can join a book club in your local area or you could join an online book club if you don’t want to go to meetings face-to-face. Book clubs are a lot of fun because they encourage you to read more and you can share your thoughts on a good book with others. If you are already a member of a book club, why not use National Read a Book Day to organize a book party for them? You can invite all of the members of the book club and discuss a book. You can all bring a dish that is inspired by the book. This is a great way to have fun and celebrate your love of books together.

Another way to celebrate National Read a Book Day is by organizing your books. Do you have a whole host of books scattered around your home? Maybe you have a book full of books that is simply gathering dust? If so, now would be the perfect opportunity for you to organize your books. You can decide on which books you’re going to keep and which books you won’t read again. For the ones that you won’t read again, you have several different options here. You could take them to a second-hand book store, you could sell them online, or you could donate them to a charity. It’s up to you! You will feel much better for it. After all, clutter can cause chaos in the mind, and this can make it impossible for you to relax and fully embrace a good book.

So there you have it: some of the different ways that you can celebrate National Read a Book Day. Of course, the best way to celebrate this day is by grabbing a good book and getting lost in it.

National Read a Book Day FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.  

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day has recognized annually on September 6th. While these bookish days may seem similar, National Read a Book Day invites us all to grab a book we might enjoy and spend the day reading. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the experience!  Read aloud either to children or grandparents. Read to your pets or your stuffed animals and plants. Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetime. Books are an inexpensive entertainment, education and time machine, too.

“Any time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing. Whether it’s sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.” – Phylicia Rashad

Although the day was apparently thought of with print books in mind, e-books are equally suitable for celebrating National Read a Book Day. The primary goal is to encourage reading, as both fiction and non-fiction books open up vast unknown vistas to enquiring minds. Taking the opportunity to enjoy some time out of the day to relax and read is good for the soul and the mind.

History of National Read a Book Day

The first ceremony of National Read a Book Day was around the end of the first decade of the 2000’s and was almost certainly the idea of a librarian, probably one who was supporting youngsters to read a book. On National Read a Book Day, it’s not mandatory to read a whole book but the day serves as an inspiration to people to read a section of a book they particularly enjoyed, to read with children, to donate a book to a children’s school library, or to host a book reading party.

How to Celebrate National Read a Book Day

Whether you are a fan of fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, history, medical literature, little stories or any of the hundreds of genre of literature out there, here are some ways you can celebrate National Read a Book Day, Read that book you have always been expecting to pick up and read. Revisit your desired book and read it again. Combine a local book club so that you have more motivation to learn. If you are previously a part of a book club, what about creating a book party for them? Invite all the book club members and consider a book while enjoying dishes inspired by your favorite books. Learn more about the life and work of your beloved author. Visit your local library, and if you are not already a member, become one. Support your local library or any reading initiatives that exist in your neighborhood by volunteering your time, money or expertise.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Treasure Island was first published as a book on 14 November 1883, by Cassell & Co.

[rabbitcruiser]

“Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson is first published as a book by Cassell & Co. on November 14, 1883.

[rabbitcruiser]

Chinatown, San Francisco

The Chinatown centered on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street in San Francisco, California, (Chinese: 唐人街; pinyin: tángrénjiē; Jyutping: tong4 jan4 gaai1) is the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese enclave outside Asia. It is the oldest of the four notable Chinatowns in the city. Since its establishment in 1848,it has been highly important and influential in the history and culture of ethnic Chinese immigrants in North America. Chinatown is an enclave that continues to retain its own customs, languages, places of worship, social clubs, and identity. There are two hospitals, numerous parks and squares, a post office, and other infrastructure. While recent immigrants and the elderly choose to live here because of the availability of affordable housing and their familiarity with the culture, the place is also a major tourist attraction, drawing more visitors annually than the Golden Gate Bridge.

Officially, Chinatown is located in downtown San Francisco, covers 24 square blocks, and overlaps five postal ZIP codes (94108, 94133, 94111, 94102, and 94109). It is within an area of roughly a half mile long by a half mile wide with the current boundaries being, approximately, Kearny Street in the east, Broadway in the north, Powell in the west, and Bush Street in the south.

Within Chinatown there are two major north-south thoroughfares. One is Grant Avenue (都板街), with the Dragon Gate ("Chinatown Gate" on some maps) at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue, designed by landscape architects Melvin Lee and Joseph Yee and architect Clayton Lee; Saint Mary's Square with a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen by Benjamin Bufano; a war memorial to Chinese war veterans; and stores, restaurants and mini-malls that cater mainly to tourists. The other, Stockton Street (市德頓街), is frequented less often by tourists, and it presents an authentic Chinese look and feel reminiscent of Hong Kong, with its produce and fish markets, stores, and restaurants. It is dominated by mixed-use buildings that are three to four stories high, with shops on the ground floor and residential apartments upstairs.

A major focal point in Chinatown is Portsmouth Square. Since it is one of the few open spaces in Chinatown and sits above a large underground parking lot, Portsmouth Square bustles with activity such as T'ai Chi and old men playing Chinese chess.A replica of the Goddess of Democracy used in the Tiananmen Square protest was built in 1999 by Thomas Marsh and stands in the square. It is made of bronze and weighs approximately 600 lb (270 kg).

Source: Wikipedia

[rabbitcruiser]

"Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson is first published as a book by Cassell & Co. on November 14, 1883.

[rabbitcruiser]

Public Art in San Francisco (No. 5)

This fountain was created in dedication to Mark Twain’s short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” which put him on the map as a writer when it was published in 1865.

Fun Fact! The redwoods in this park were transplanted from a park 60 miles south in the Santa Cruz Mountains where Twain is believed to have written the story.

Source

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

National Read a Book Day

National Read a Book Day has recognized annually on September 6th. While these bookish days may seem similar, National Read a Book Day invites us all to grab a book we might enjoy and spend the day reading. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the experience!  Read aloud either to children or grandparents. Read to your pets or your stuffed animals and plants. Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetime. Books are an inexpensive entertainment, education and time machine, too.

“Any time women come together with a collective intention, it’s a powerful thing. Whether it’s sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.” – Phylicia Rashad

Although the day was apparently thought of with print books in mind, e-books are equally suitable for celebrating National Read a Book Day. The primary goal is to encourage reading, as both fiction and non-fiction books open up vast unknown vistas to enquiring minds. Taking the opportunity to enjoy some time out of the day to relax and read is good for the soul and the mind.

History of National Read a Book Day

The first ceremony of National Read a Book Day was around the end of the first decade of the 2000’s and was almost certainly the idea of a librarian, probably one who was supporting youngsters to read a book. On National Read a Book Day, it’s not mandatory to read a whole book but the day serves as an inspiration to people to read a section of a book they particularly enjoyed, to read with children, to donate a book to a children’s school library, or to host a book reading party.

How to Celebrate National Read a Book Day

Whether you are a fan of fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, history, medical literature, little stories or any of the hundreds of genre of literature out there, here are some ways you can celebrate National Read a Book Day, Read that book you have always been expecting to pick up and read. Revisit your desired book and read it again. Combine a local book club so that you have more motivation to learn. If you are previously a part of a book club, what about creating a book party for them? Invite all the book club members and consider a book while enjoying dishes inspired by your favorite books. Learn more about the life and work of your beloved author. Visit your local library, and if you are not already a member, become one. Support your local library or any reading initiatives that exist in your neighborhood by volunteering your time, money or expertise. 

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Public Art (No. 85)

Frog Pond by Richard Clopton, San Francisco

The Puddle Jumpers by Glenna Goodacre, San Francisco

Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial by Bruce Porter, San Francisco

The Corporate Goddesses by Muriel Castanis, San Francisco

San Francisco Peace Pagoda by Yoshiro Taniguchi,  San Francisco

From Injustice to Redress by Louis Quaintance and Eugene Daub,  San Francisco (three pics)

Japantown Sensu by Tony Kaz Naganuma, Grace Horikiri and Karen Kai, San Francisco

Origami Fountain by Ruth Asawa, San Francisco