World Book Night Experience
What Was World Book Night?
World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. Held in the U.S. and the U.K. on April 23, 2012, tens of thousands of people went out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out World Book Night free paperbacks.
Late yesterday afternoon I headed out to distribute 20 copies of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for the first World Book Night held in the U.S. It was a beautiful, sunny day so I decided to hand out books to people outdoors in the business district of my town.
My first attempt was at the train station. The people there were not overly receptive and I was met with a little suspicion. I abandoned that idea and moved across the street to an outdoor table at one of the coffee shops. That worked out great. A few people hesitated at first, they didn’t believe the book was “free”. Some just kept walking and mumbled no thanks, but most were friendly and stopped to chat. A few people had already heard about WBN. The local news had mentioned it earlier in the day.
In the end I spent an hour and a half speaking with people going into the shops, walking down the street or sitting down to have a coffee or snack. A few people sitting at nearby tables were helping me out and telling people that yes, this was for real. It was a great time and I hope to be able to participate again next year.
To the left is a photo taken at my local bookstore. They were the pickup location for the givers in my area. They had a reception for us last Thursday with cake and snacks. The cake even had the WBN logo on it!
Did you participate in World Book Night or see anyone passing out books?
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© 2012 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
Nice! I love WBN reports. I think everyone is suspicious when they get something for free. I know I would be if I hadn’t heard of WBN. You did very well. It must be a little scary just speaking to strangers and convince them that you’re offering them something nice.
Great that there was a reception for givers! How nice. So there were quite a few givers in your area?
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We had about 15 people at the reception and there were 20 in all that picked up their books in my store. There was another indie bookseller about a half hour from my house that had an even larger group of givers.
It was a little scary at the train station, but not at the shops.
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I think the word free now makes everyone suspicious. I love that you handed out books at the train station and at the local coffee shop. I know in one of the MARC train stations they have a book rack where riders can pick up and leave books for others.
That looks like a great reception. I didn’t participate this year, but I think I’ll do it next year.
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We have a book rack inside the station but that is only open in the morning. The morning train crowd would have been fighting for the books. The people going into the city in the evening are not the regular daily commuters, which is why I choose them.
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makes sense to me
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You were brave. The weather was so awful here, there was no way I was gonna stand on any street corners. I did get rid of some in a cafe yesterday, I will continue today as the weather is better here.
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We had a beautiful day. I was so lucky!
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Well done, Leslie!
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Thanks, Mary.
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I gave out The Poisonwood Bible and was met with suspicion a time or two. I think some people thought I was trying to pass religious tracts off on them.
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I had one woman ask me that! She thought it might be some kind of religious literature. A few people started to walk away and as I explained what I was doing, they came back and wanted a book.
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Hi Leslie,
I found your blog while looking for news about World Book Night. I also gave away The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, near a subway station in New York City and got a similar response–maybe something about the guard people put up when they ride public transportation! However, among those who were willing to stop and chat, I usually got an appreciative response. Like you, I hope to do it again next year. I find it exciting to be part of this international event and to think of other book-lovers doing the same thing across the country.
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Thanks for stopping by. I did find most people receptive once they realized I wasn’t trying to sell them something. The train station is where a lot of people try and get donations, etc so I can understand their suspicion.
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Leslie, that’s a great book to distribute! It sounds like a wonderful event. 🙂
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It was a great experience.
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I gave out The Book Thief. Most people were friendly, although I did get a couple no thank yous. I’d love to do it again next year.
Our nearest pickup location was 45 minutes away. We’re not a real bookstore friendly town, sadly.
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I didn’t participate this year, but hope to next year. There are only a few places in our small town where we could think of to hand out books (a movie theater and the grocery store). It might be more of a challenge, but maybe if some businesses – like restaurants – don’t mind, then it would be workable. Congrats on your success handing out the books!
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Hi Leslie,
It is amazing just how suspicious and sceptical people are when you try to give them something for free.
We used to visit Florida regularly each December and from time to time we would have show tickets or meal reservations that, for one reason or another, we were just unable to keep. At such times hubbie would stop people we passed, or those waiting in line and offer them our tickets, rather than see them go to waste. Some people were downright rude, others very suspicious, but it used to take us forever to find anyone who would actually accept kindness at face value!
World Book Night, here in the UK, would have been a very cold, windy and soggy affair this year, as most of us have seen a months worth of rain in 24 hours, and still they say that drought restrictions will be in place until at least next year!!
I am glad that the evening turned into something of a success for you and that you have managed to convert a few non-readers with your efforts.
Yvonne
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SO fantastic! I love reading your story here. DId you link up the post I have for world book night? If not, I hope you do!
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I don’t think World Book Night gets enough coverage in the media. I don’t recall seeing much about it this year and when I checked for events in this area there wasn’t any listed, which I think is a shame.
I hope you had a good time! 🙂
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