Book Lovers Day

August 9th is National Book Lovers Day! Not a celebration of the best-selling Emily Henry romance novel “Book Lovers”(BR 24476, CL 20140, DB 107926, LP 36785), but an unofficial holiday preceding it. Despite its unclear origins, Book Lovers Day is globally recognized as a day to celebrate reading and encourages book lovers and book curious people alike to pick up a new read or revisit a favorite!

In anticipation of this year’s Book Lovers Day, I asked some of the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP) Philadelphia staff what book ignited or reignited their passion for reading?
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (BRG 02644, DB 55748) comes highly recommended by Aimee Thrasher-Hanson, a library supervisor, history buff and true crime fan. Aimee says “Larson’s superb storytelling makes the otherwise dry subject of a World’s Fair very interesting. The use of alternating chapters with interconnecting storylines is one of my favorite narrative techniques and it works wonderfully for this book.”

Reader Advisor Denea Stokes says, “If you love a good page-turning, mystery-suspense book then the Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen (DB 43888, LP 22845) is for you.” While this was Denea’s first book by Iris Johansen, she is no stranger to the world of fictional mysteries and thrillers, and says “this book’s climatic plot keeps you locked in.” She describes it as a book you can’t put down and would recommend it to any reader.

At the age of 8 or 9, Library Supervisor Pat Shotzbarger had her passion for reading ignited by Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene (BR 12807, DB 08590, DB 50915). She pleasantly recalls “saving her allowance to go to the local five and ten (or five and dime) store to buy the next book in the series.” Pat loved trying to solve the case and has been an ardent fan of mystery and detective books ever since. What Pat likes most about this mystery series is that the lead character is female and uses her brain to solve crime. Throughout the series, Nancy and her friend Bess traveled, drove cars, had adventures, and were independent. Growing up in a small town, Pat Shotzbarger appreciated that Nancy could dance, skate, drive a car, and ride horses! All these things were new to Pat and let her know there was a world outside of her hometown and she would still recommend this title today.

My love for reading began as a child, encouraged by my elementary school’s librarian, but stumbling onto the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (BR 13442, CL 09105, DB 23208) was its own adventure. It heavily influenced my love of words and I love it for its playful worldbuilding and plethora of figurative language, emphasis on the importance of learning from our mistakes and finding ways to enjoy life. A book that reignited my interest in reading and opened the door for me to the world of memoirs and nonfiction is In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (BR 23161, DB 97881), an Allentown born, queer Latinx author who now calls Philly home. She wrote the memoir about her experience in an abusive domestic relationship, told through captivating recollection using alternating narrative tropes in each chapter. The audio version of this book is also narrated by the author.

For the summer of adventure, reminisce about what book started your reading journey and where you are now on your reading adventure.

Ways to celebrate Book Lovers Day:
· Start a new book
· Read a new genre
· Encourage others to read
· Read the book of a movie adaptation you like.