World Book Day

Ever since I was a child, I can remember World Book Day being a pretty big deal, both at my school and in my family. Our bookcases at home are piled high with books my three sisters and I have collected over the last few decades, including all the token books we received on this very day. Two of my sisters are absolute book nerds, just like me, and I can still recall my eldest sister spending her evenings reading to me before bedtime and, it wasn't before long, that I was the one reading to her once I had mastered the ability. World Book Day was a day I long awaited when I was in Primary School; eventually being led towards the school hall by my class teacher, standing patiently in line, longing to see all the books and, finally, desperately trying to narrow down my choices. I had one token but, I wanted them ALL!

Forgive me for sounding like an elderly person but, as a generation, I don't think we read as much as we should. Nowadays, successful books are soon transformed into TV series and blockbuster films and the very notion that the story began as a novel, expressed on a page, is long forgotten. I think we all find it easier, to come home after a long day at work, or school or University, and end the day curled up by the TV rather than relaxing into a few chapters of just one novel out of millions of classic literature to choose from.

For me, the aim of this blog from the very beginning was to encourage more people to press the pause button on their busy schedules and routine late night TV watching and actually pick up a book a few times a week to read. I want you to join me on my journey throughout the next year to read more novels than ever before and step outside of your usual genre comfort zone [for me, it's crime fiction!] World Book Day adopts an important message, not only for children but, the adults of this generation too, encouraging us to read the wonders, hear the author's creativity and ignite our own imaginations rather than relying upon a director to simply show it to us instead. And, if that isn't persuasion enough, there is plenty of scientific evidence to support the fact that reading can boost your intelligence, aid your relaxation and reading before bedtime will encourage a better nights sleep!

If you're going to spend just one day reading this week, or even just this month, let it be today. And, by way of an encouragement, below I have collated a list of a few classic novels you won't want to miss out on. Happy World Book Day fellow fiction lovers!

Suggestions for World Book Day

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess