A reader lives a thousand lives

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. 

The man who never reads lives only one"

George R.R. Martin, A dance with Dragons

I have recently started reading a book: ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ by Robert Galbraith. It is actually good news as I haven’t read a book for… months (not to say a year).  I have been busy, that’s my excuse. Which book are you currently reading? And if you’re not reading any… what’s your excuse?

Today, it’s World Book Day in the United Kingdom. You guys like rebelling against the rest of the world: you drive on the other direction and cars are specifically made for you with the wheel on the “other side”; neither you accept the internationally agreed metric measurement system nor use the euro currency despite you belong to the UE (very smart, by the way)…

In this case, whilst the rest of the world celebrates the World Book Day the 23th April (organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright), you recognise your own "World Book Day" on the first Thursday in March, which is today. Therefore, due to my recent achievement of starting reading a book, I must mention this day on the blog. ;)

Schools in Bristol celebrate the Book Day with many different activities: children and staff of Busy Bees in Portishead will be dressing up as their favourite book character and children will also be creating some lovely little story books and pictures to take home. As well in Bristol Free School, students are also able to come to school dressed as their favourite literary character. Colston’s Girls’ School will also celebrate the World Book Day today and tomorrow.

Many book stores offer good book deals today and during the whole week. St Peter’s Hospice goes even further on the offers. They celebrate World Book Day by asking all Bristolians to buy and donate books at theirs shops across the city. During March, they have paperback books for 50p and hardback books for 1 pound.

If you prefer a library, Bristol Central Library is the main and biggest book source in Bristol. The Central Library, located in next to the Cathedral in College Green (BS1 5TL), offers a wide range of books for both adults and kids. However, the library also has many other things apart from books. There are computers available with internet access; a drama collection, music and CDs that you can take home; travel books and guides from all over the world; and newspapers and magazines that you can read. On the ground floor, there is a coffee-shop which is open daily (check opening hours here).

In addition, the library also organizes many activities, events and exhibitions that take place in the library. For instance, there is an adult reading group which meets on the second Thursday of the month from 5.45-7pm and there is also an informal social group meeting at the café area every last Tuesday of the month (check activities here).

To celebrate the 400^th birthday of Bristol’s Central Library, Rusty Squid launched the “Book Hive” last December (which is finishing tomorrow by the way). It is a huge interactive living sculpture which fills the entrance hall of the library with moving books. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth visiting the library to see it… and as you are already there, why not taking a book home to celebrate the day? 

INTERESTING LINKS
St. Peter's Hospice: www.stpetershosppice.org
Bristol Central Library: www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/central-library