National Book Month
National Book Month is an annual celebration occurring in October in the United States, aimed at promoting the joy of reading and honoring books and authors. Established in 2003 by the National Book Foundation, this observance coincides with the announcement of the finalists for the National Book Awards, which recognize outstanding works in various literary categories. During National Book Month, individuals and organizations engage in a variety of activities to encourage reading, such as read-a-thons, book clubs, and themed events in schools and libraries.
The month serves as an opportunity for readers of all ages to explore new books, share favorites with others, and participate in community discussions about literature. Social media also plays a role, with many sharing their celebrations using the hashtag #NationalBookMonth. Beyond October, other related observances highlight the importance of reading throughout the year, including National Reading Month in March and National Family Literacy Month in November. Engaging in reading has been shown to enhance communication skills, increase empathy, and even contribute to better overall health, making National Book Month a significant time for fostering a love of literature.
National Book Month
The purpose of National Book Month, held annually in the United States in October, is to celebrate books and the love of reading. This event helps to encourage reading for everyone, not just those in the classroom. For that reason, events to commemorate the month range from having a read-a-thon to organizing a book club. The observance of National Book Month began in 2003. It was organized by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes American writing in all its forms.
Background
The National Book Foundation chose October for its National Book Month celebration to coincide with its release of the finalists for the National Book Awards. The National Book Foundation sponsors of the National Book Awards. The winners of the awards are announced at a ceremony in November. awards are handed out at a ceremony in November. The literary prizes started in 1950, but have been run by the National Book Foundation since 1989. Since their inception, the awards have recognized well-known writers such as William Faulkner, John Updike, Toni Morrison and Norman Mailer.
The foundation honors the best fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature published within the year. In 2021, Jason Mott won the top award for fiction with his work Hell of a Book, while All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake written by Tiya Miles was tops in nonfiction. In the category of young people’s literature, Malinda Lo took the honors with the Last Night at the Telegraph Club.
Overview
The National Book Foundation started National Book Month in 2003 as a way to encourage people to read, honoring books and authors, and helping family members and friends bond over books. The month can be celebrated in a myriad of ways. In the classroom, teachers can encourage students to dress up as a favorite book character. Students can also be involved with a read-a-thon in which a class goal of reading a certain number of hours during the month is created.
Outside of school, people can start a book club or visit local bookstores and libraries. Other ways to note the month can include reading a new book or sharing a favorite book with someone. People also post their book month celebrations on social media using the hashtag #NationalBookMonth.
National Book Month is just one of several annual celebrations of reading. For example, March is known as National Reading Month and is usually celebrated in a similar manner to national Book Month. Another popular reading celebration is National Read Across America—a yearlong initiative that encourages reading among school-aged children. The National Education Association started this event in 1998. The program culminates on March 2, the birthday of children’s book author Dr. Seuss, as National Read Across America Day.
Other reading-related months include:
- National Book Blitz Month in January: This month is dedicated to reading books that a person started but never finished.
- National March into Literacy Month in March: Promoting good reading and writing skills is paramount during this celebration.
- Get Caught Reading Month in May: This month promotes reading books as fun and a tool to become a knowledgeable person.
- National Family Literacy Month in November: Parents are encouraged to read to their children.
- Audiobook Appreciation Month in June: The month promotes audiobooks as another way of reading.
- National Library Lovers Month in February: The month honors people who love libraries and everything they represent.
- National Library Card Sign-up Month in September: The month promotes trips to the library.
Benefits of Reading
Many people read for pleasure, but researchers have found many other benefits to the activity. People gain knowledge and become better communicators through reading. Reading helps people developing larger vocabularies and allows them to increase their mental focus. Reading has also been found to improve memory, as it helps people create and retain details of the plot, characters, etc. Fiction readers have been found to have better empathy for others, a trait likely developed from their attachment to the characters in books.
Reading is also important for physical well-being, as it provides a type of exercise for the brain. When people read, it stimulates a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. The more a person reads, the stronger these networks get. An Emory University study conducted in 2013 found that subjects reading the 2003 novel Pompeii by Robert Harris had higher levels of brain activation when the story had higher moments of tension. The effect on the brain continued for days after. Other research has shown reading can also help reduce stress, as a half hour of reading can lower blood pressure and heart rate. A 2016 study from Yale University also found that people who read live about two years longer than those who did not read regularly.
How to Foster Good Reading Habits in Children
Experts advise parents to instill the importance of reading in their children even before their children can read. Reading to a child for about thirty minutes a day has proven to be beneficial in this regard. Parents should also let their children see them reading on their own and take their children to a library. When children reach reading age, experts say they should read aloud to their parents. Parents should also have reading materials available for their children, and encourage activities that require reading, such as reading a recipe or reading instructions for building a toy.
Bibliography
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Law, Thomas J. “10 Benefits of Reading Books: Why You Should Read Every Day.” Oberlo, 6 Feb. 2021, www.oberlo.com/blog/benefits-of-reading-books. Accessed 9 June 2022.
“Library Celebration Days.” American Library Association, Feb. 2021, www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationdays. Accessed 1 May 2024.
“March is National Reading Month.” North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs, 2020, www.gfwcnc.org/nc-club-woman-magazine/march-is-national-reading-month. Accessed 1 May 2024.
“Mission & History.” National Book Foundation, www.national book.org/about-us/mission-history. Accessed 1 May 2024.
"National Book Foundation." National Book Foundation, www.nationalbook.org/. Accessed 1 May 2024.
“National Book Month.” National Today, 2024, nationaltoday.com/national-book-month/. Accessed 1 May 2024.
Swanson, Beverley B. “Encouraging Your Child to Read.” Reading Rockets, 2022, www.readingrockets.org/article/encouraging-your-child-read. Accessed 15 June 2022.