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
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!)
ReplyDeleteThat last blog sure set some minds a-thinking didn't it?
So true. For today I lost myself in a collection of short stories published by The People's Friend. You should check them out.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
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.
ReplyDeleteHow about just Happy Book Day?
ReplyDelete