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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

International Day of the Book

Today is International Day of the Book. On this day, April 23 in the year 1616, Cervantes and Shakespeare both died. And they weren't the only writers to enter or leave this world on April 23rd, there were other famous and not so famous writers. But the purpose of this post isn't to honor writers long dead. Their legacy doesn't need a day. Their work lives on. The literary greats are honored again and again every time we pick up a book, every time we write a line. No, today is about the books and their readers. About remembering, appreciating and giving the gift of books. Books mark the passage of time, guide the milestones in life and record our history for as long and longer than we can remember. So, readers and writers alike, spend some time alone in the good company of a book.


A good book can be found almost anywhere.



Books are a refuge, a sort of cloistral refuge, from the vulgarities of the actual
world. - Walter Pater

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. - Richard Steele, Tatler, 1710


Now be off with you and your book. I'll leave you two alone.
Enjoy!

Ryshia

4 comments:

Teresa said...

Where would I be without a good book to take me away from reality once in a while. Happy international day of the book! (Boy that's a tough one to sing in the "happy anniversary" song style!)
That last blog sure set some minds a-thinking didn't it?

Tara Roberts aka Elizabeth Robertson said...

So true. For today I lost myself in a collection of short stories published by The People's Friend. You should check them out.

Elizabeth

Ryshia Kennie said...

It's been awhile since I've read a short story and I've never heard of The People's Friend. I'll have to check them out.

Ryshia Kennie said...

How about just Happy Book Day?