I think I've mentioned it here before, but if I haven't, I like to read. A lot. So imagine my surprise when I found out that tonight is World Book Night.

I don't feel too badly that I'm just hearing about World Book Night; it was first celebrated laast year, and only in England [this year, events are scheduled in the US, Ireland, and Germany, as well as the UK]. April 23rd was chosen because it's the traditional date of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, as well as the death date of Miguel De Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The date is also celebrated by UNESCO as World Book Day.

So why a World Book Night? To get non- or part-time readers back to the books. In many communities, book publishers are giving away free copies to start the reading process [and not back-of-the-warehouse product, either; giveaway books include Stephen King's The Stand and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games]. (I'm not aware of any events in Metro Buffalo; if you know of one, would you please leave us a comment?)

Thinking about World Book Night got me thinking; how much do you read? Do you read a book a month, or more?  Please take a minute and answer our poll. It's anonymous, and no salesman will call:

[usatoday.com/worldbooknight.org]

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