What Does National Book Lovers Day Mean?

Every year National Book Lovers Day is on August 9th. I have not read as many books as usual in the last couple of years. I have been reading on Medium and Vocal at home. And when I am driving, I have been listening to books on tape.

In addition to that I have read a couple of thin books from authors I know. I taught a class and read the class textbooks for four semesters. Since finding a replacement for me, I have been reading more for pleasure again.

My mother was a strong influence on me to pick up books and read. She read to all of us as babies and small children. We read to each other as we got older with her by our side. My mother always encouraged getting a good education and talked about the importance of reading.

She showed us by example as well. When I first started listening to books on tape, it got kind of spendy until I realized the library had books on tape to check out.

Once I discovered that and the discount bookstore, where you could borrow tapes and return them, I had it made. I love to read much more than write. Writing for fun is only about seven years old for me now.

My reading has been from all genres. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Yes, people really do write and read poetry books. I have two friends that have master's degrees in poetry.

I wrote this article as @David Perlmutter acknowledged this day and reminded me that I have purchased a book of his, read it, and gave it to a friend as a gift as I knew she would enjoy it. I am grateful that Medium has a way to have stories read to you as I have listened to David’s longer stories with that method.

It is no problem reading poetry online and short stories. Once it gets longer, I prefer reading a book at home in a recliner or in bed or listening to a tape in the car while driving. So, I love that we have the listening option on Medium for longer stories.

This day is for readers to take time away from social media and read a book. It is also for celebrating authors, as without authors we wouldn’t have books. And it is a day to encourage others to read a book!

Because this day was on the 9th, you will have missed it by the time I get this published, if you haven’t celebrated or read on the 9th. It is okay, take a day and do it soon! Who will know, unless you write and tell us how it went!

Everybody can read more according to me. Sometimes we think that writers just write, and readers just read. Not true. I believe the best writers are fed by other writers, just ask them. You can’t ask me as I am not one of them yet.

And by yet, I do not mean to ever be a best writer. I do hope to improve, however. I write something every day. I don’t always get it published every day. There is a process.

Then I write off the top of my head. I started to wait to submit for publication until the next day most of the time. Then I can re-read and find some glaring errors for correction. Other times, I have no patience and just want to be done with it to move on.

I am learning to enjoy writing, just not as much as I enjoy reading. Read more, everyone. And everyone have a nice day. Thank you for the reminder of National Book Lovers Day, as I did get in some book reading, David!

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First published in New Writers Welcome on Medium.