Book Lovers Day
Book Lovers Day is commemorated annually on August 9 to celebrate the rich history of literature and the joy of reading. Whether you are a fan of print books, audiobooks, picture books, or travel books, this day is a chance to:
Support a local bookstore in your area (link: Seattle bookstores).
Read and share stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Give a free a book to someone.
Pick up a book that’s been on your shelf for a while.
Try out an audiobook for the first time - free options are available on all major platforms. Examples: the App Store and Google Play.
Thank a librarian in your community (link: University of Washington librarians).
Remember and share a favorite book from your childhood.
Visit a used bookstore for a new or rare find (link: used books in Seattle).
Make a donation to a school or community center in your area to help them purchase books.
Donate to an international organization that helps improve literacy in underserved communities.
—
To celebrate Book Lovers Day, the FIUTS Staff is sharing a review of a book they are currently reading or a review of an all-time favorite book… Happy Book Lovers Day!
Era Schrepfer, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I always read several books at a time, and a combination of fiction and nonfiction - this way I can decide which one to open based on my mood! Right now, my fiction choice is Mosquitoland, by David Arnold, a coming-of-age story of a teen on a quest for the truth about her family. I'm also reading Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, as I deepen my own knowledge of our country's struggle for racial justice and equality. And I just picked up Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness - we all need more happiness, right?
Ellen Frierson, MANAGER OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS
I'm almost finished with The Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings by anthropologist David F. Lancy. This book is a comprehensive literature review that explores different views of childhood, the role of children, and child-raising throughout history and across cultures. It really puts contemporary Western ideas about childhood into perspective, which as the parent of two small kids I really appreciate! The other book, which I just started, is Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. It won the Booker Prize in 2019 and tells the story of a group of Black British women, delving into the identities and experiences of each character. The writing style is unique and intriguing, and it's a great book for fiction-lovers interested in reading voices and perspectives that have historically not been centered in literature.
Samantha Novak, MANAGER OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Just finished rereading: First Test, first book in the Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce. Tamora Pierce was one of my favorite authors as a middle schooler, and I just bought a new copy to fill out my set. First Test is the story of Kel's first year training as a page in the fantasy universe of Tortall. She is the first girl to enroll in knighthood training after it was legalized ten years prior, and she faces a wide buffet of misogynistic behavior, including a probationary trial period no male has ever had to endure. Tamora Pierce's heroines are complex, imperfect, varied, and wonderful: reading her books always makes me happy because she lets her characters fail, triumph, and work hard. I especially think that Kel is a wonderful character for young people to experience because she accomplishes what she does primarily through hard work rather than aptitude. I'd like to be her friend.
Alex Radi, MANAGER OF STUDENT PROGRAMS
Favorite Book: Night on the Galactic Railroad
I love this book for so many reasons. For a children’s fable, it is immensely deep and full of philosophical ponderings. The author, Kenji Murasawa, utilizes clever wordplay to question the meaning of life, the pursuit of happiness, and the concept of life after death. It is one of those few books where I feel like I’m learning something new every time I read it.
Favorite Quotes:
-”No one knows what true happiness is, least of all me. But no matter how hard it is, if you keep to the path you deem to be true, you can overcome any mountain. With each step in that direction, people come closer to happiness.”
-”For several minutes Giovanni stood there daydreaming about whether the sky really was filled with scorpions and warriors, and how much he’d love to walk forever and ever through that sky.”
Annie Lewis, OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Current Audiobook: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
I'm currently listening to Pachinko, a historical novel that tells the story of a Korean family as they migrate to Japan in the early twentieth century. I read this book for the first time last year and am enjoying it for a second time as I unpack and move into a new apartment! If you are a fan of historical fiction, multi-generational stories, or asian literature, you can't miss out on this book!
Vy Chuong, STUDENT PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
Current book: The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
I picked this book from my neighborhood's Little Free Library. This novel is a historical fiction based on the Smuttynose Island murder. It brings together the past and the present as the main character searches for answers to an event more than a century old. It is a great book for those who like a bit of mystery mixed with a plot that is sure to provoke some deep emotions.