World Book Night USA 2014

I’m so excited for this year’s World Book Night.  Last year I applied and didn’t get the chance to be a giver (I wanted Fahrenheit 451 or the Language of Flowers). I’m sending in my application and keeping my fingers crossed.  Wondering what I’m talking about? Read on…

World Book Night USA 2014 will be April 23rd.

What is World Book Night ?

World Book Night is an annual celebration dedicated to spreading the love of reading, person to person. Each year on April 23 –Shakespeare’s birthday– tens of thousands of people in the U.S. go out into their communities and give a total of half a million free World Book Night paperbacks to light and non-readers.

Why and How ?

We provide the free books, and the book givers seek out light or non-readers, especially people who may not have access to printed books for reasons of means or geography. Book givers receive 20 free paperback copies of one World Book Night title, not too many to carry but enough to share with a good number of potential new readers.

2014 Books

The 35 books to be given away by an army of volunteers on World Book Night USA were announced tonight.

“The Zookeeper’s Wife,” by Diane Ackerman
“Kitchen Confidential,” by Anthony Bourdain
“The Weird Sisters,” by Eleanor Brown
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
“After the Funeral,” by Agatha Christie
“The Ruins of Gorlan: The Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 1,” by John Flanagan
“Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” by Jamie Ford
“The Lighthouse Road,” by Peter Geye
“The Tipping Point,” by Malcolm Gladwell
“Wait Till Next Year,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin
“Catch-22,” by Joseph Heller
“The Dog Stars,” by Peter Heller
“Hoot,” by Carl Hiaasen
“Pontoon,” by Garrison Keillor
“Same Difference,” by Derek Kirk Kim
“Enchanted,” by Alethea Kontis
“Miss Darcy Falls in Love,” by Sharon Lathan
“Bobcat and Other Stories,” by Rebecca Lee
“Young Men and Fire,” by Norman Maclean
“Tales of the City,” by Armistead Maupin
“Waiting to Exhale,” by Terry McMillan
“Sunrise Over Fallujah,” by Walter Dean Myers
“Bridge to Terabithia,” by Katherine Paterson
“The Botany of Desire,” by Michael Pollan
“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” by Ransom Riggs
“When I was Puerto Rican,” by Esmeralda Santiago
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” by Maria Semple
“Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed
“Presumed Innocent,” by Scott Turow
“Code Name Verity,” by Elizabeth Wein
“This Boy’s Life,” by Tobias Wolff
“100 Best-Loved Poems” edited by Philip Smith

I’ve read:

“Kitchen Confidential,” by Anthony Bourdain
“The Weird Sisters,” by Eleanor Brown
“The Tipping Point,” by Malcolm Gladwell
“Catch-22,” by Joseph Heller
“Tales of the City,” by Armistead Maupin
“Waiting to Exhale,” by Terry McMillan
“Bridge to Terabithia,” by Katherine Paterson

If I could, I would give away:
Kitchen Confidential or The Tipping Point.

How Many Have You Read ? Comment and let me know!

How do I get involved ?

To register to be a volunteer, go to:http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/how-do-i-get-involved/be-book-giver-us

Applications to become a WBN 2014 Book Giver will begin Oct. 24. through Jan. 5, 2014 to read up on the guidelines and then apply. Also read up on the book picks beforehand.

My spouse or I are in the military ? Can we still participate ?
I want to send to the men and women overseas? Can I?

Absolutely! It is one of our priorities. We are also looking for coordinators for U.S. base giveaways. Please contact us at April23@WorldBookNight.org if you are interested in helping us with this project.

What if I’m chosen as a giver?

When do I get my books?

A. All box pick-ups will be on the week prior to April 23rd. You will hear from us and your pick up location with details in early April.

Q. May I give my books away before April 23rd?

A. Absolutely not. We ask that everyone wait until that day or during the week after. World Book Night is a local, national, and global experience, and it begins on April 23rd.

Q. Is all activity really meant to happen only at night?

A. World Book Night is intended to indicate the event’s focus on teens and adults. However, book givers can go out anytime on April 23 to a place of their choosing to give away their 20 copies. Givers should pick a safe, well-populated public area or indoor setting, like a hospital or school. All givers must be 16 years or older; anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult.