"Reluctant readers" will be encouraged to discover the joy of reading-and those who are passionate about their tomes can share their love of the written word-when the second annual World Book Night is held across the United States next April.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 23.
For the second year in a row, two book-loving Marietta locations, Barking Dog Books and the Washington County Public Library, will turn the page and promote this pro-reading effort by serving as distribution centers for the April 23 event here in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
"World Book Night is a grassroots effort that is about promoting literacy and reading in the community," said Andrea Adkins, the library's information services manager.
"Reading can really get the creative juices going," she added. "You can find more things in common with people, discuss ideas with people and find reading as an escape."
Those who want the chance to give away 20 copies of their favorite page turner and open the world of reading to someone in the Mid-Ohio Valley on World Book Night may apply online at www.worldbooknight.org. Select 'Apply to be a Giver' from the drop-down box under the 'Get Involved' link.
Fact Box
At a glance
2013 World Book Night - United States
A celebration of books and reading, World Book Night will be held on April 23.
Those who want to be a volunteer book giver for the event must submit an online application by Jan. 23. To apply, log on to www.worldbooknight.org.
In 2012, 25,000 volunteers across America gave a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don't regularly read.
That same year, World Book Night was celebrated in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany; more than 80,000 people gifted more than 2.5 million books.
Source: worldbooknight.org.
Last year's event "went really well. People really liked it," said Scott Monaghan, co-owner of Barking Dog Books."
"We're happy to promote this pro-literacy activity," he said.
Each year, World Book Night's volunteer book givers can select their favorite reads from one of 30 book titles chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers.
"They've picked some outstanding novels (for the 2013 event)," said Marianne Monaghan, co-owner of Barking Dog Books. "They've picked current, pertinent and engaging books."
These top-30 picks include "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury; "My Antonia" by Willa Cather; Tina Fey's "Bossypants"; "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova; "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith; and Michael Lewis' "Moneyball."
As a volunteer book giver, "You are encouraged to pick a book (from the list) that you have read and really loved, so you can say 'I read this book, I love this book,'" said Marianne Monaghan.
Givers select their first, second and third choices from the book list and will receive 20 copies of one book title.
Local book enthusiasts will pick up their box of novels from Barking Dog Books or the Washington County Public Library just before World Book Night, and head out into the evening to pass them out on April 23.
"People have taken them to places like jails, youth shelters, county homes, or just walked up and down the street and handed them out to people they meet," said Marianne Monaghan.
"Or, they can leave the rest here and we can donate them on their behalf," she added.
The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions.
