World Book Day is celebrated this year on March 2 in the UK and is an excellent opportunity to remember the value of reading and the important role books continue to play in the digital age. From time to time, many have expressed concerns about whether books can survive in an age dominated by technology. Bibliophiles, academics, writers, and researchers, have all been refuted.
The book market has not only not died out but is finding a way to survive. According to Wordsrated, in 2023, the global trade book sales revenue is estimated at $78.07 billion, which will be a 2.53% increase over 2022. Projecting for the next five years, global book sales should reach $82.7 billion in 2027, with an average annual growth of 1.48%.
World Book Day promotes reading for pleasure
Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. In the United Kingdom, it is celebrated on March 2, while in other countries on April 23.
“We are a charity that operates in the UK and Ireland. We will next be celebrating World Book Day on March 2 2023. Our mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background, or their income. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them,” the World Book Day’s official website notes.
The #WorldBookDay hashtag goes viral on social media every year, with thousands of users posting photos and videos of their favourite books or sharing quotes from authors they appreciate and admire. World Book Day aims to show how important reading is. The charity behind this special celebration provides young readers with the opportunity to buy books for only £1.
World Book Day cooperates with publishers and children to create a list that appeals to a wide range of interests and stages of reading. Their mission is to promote reading for pleasure by offering every child and young person the opportunity to choose and own a book.
Through schools, nurseries, magazines, and partners, 50 million £1/€1.50 tokens are distributed every year to children and young people before World Book Day so they can experience choosing one of these books for free from their nearest bookseller.
How to Celebrate
There are many ways to participate in World Book Day and celebrate. Apart from registering early for World Book Day, you can even distribute content online and make use of the #WorldBookDay hashtag. You can share your experience about the first book you read, recommend a book you consider worthwhile, or share photos from your library.
You can, of course, let your imagination run free and express yourself in the way you see fit to show your love for reading and contribute to the mission of World Book Day. Since 1439 when Johannes Gutenberg and his associates built the first printing press, the book industry has changed in many forms.
E-books and audiobooks now have a significant share of the book market. No matter how many forms the book changes, the essence of its existence remains the same: the love of knowledge and reading. Reading remains a basic human need. Through it, people acquire new knowledge, sharpen their minds, and promote values and ideals.
