If you’re reading this post, chances are you already think books are pretty amazing.
But not everyone feels the same. Shocking, I know!
Still, there are plenty of ways that you can share your love of reading with the world:
Start a Little Free Library
The Little Free Library Project is a fantastic charitable organisation that encourages reading in communities. They build their tiny libraries around the country, encouraging local people to ‘Take a book, return a book, donate a book’.
The libraries themselves are beautifully designed and crafted and I’ve heard some fantastic reports about how successful they have been in certain neighbourhoods. So if you fancy sharing stories with your neighbours, why not think about setting one up?
Leave behind a book you loved
The next time you finish a great book on the train or while enjoying an afternoon in the park, consider sharing the love and leave behind the book for a stranger to find.
If you’re feeling really cute, you can even leave them a little note inside the cover wishing them happy reading!
Give books to charity
Feeding a serious book habit can get expensive, but buying books second hand can be a great way to stock up your collection. So when you’re cleaning out your library, consider taking a few copies down to your nearest charity shop.
Not only are you giving someone else a chance to pick up a great book, you’re also helping out a good cause.
Join World Book Night
This annual celebration of reading sees thousands of volunteers head out into their community to give out books to people who don’t read regularly.
The next event is on April 23 if you’re interested in signing up.
Use your local library
Sadly our libraries are declining, thanks to the availability of e-books and government budget cuts. That’s why it’s even more important to make use of the library now and encourage others to borrow books there.
Volunteer at a local school
Children are receptive to new things and that includes reading: they just need to be inspired. Teachers often don’t have enough time to dedicate one-on-one attention to each pupil and it’s that encouragement that could create a lifelong reader. If a child struggles with reading, they probably won’t enjoy it the same way.
Many schools rely on volunteers to help with class trips and events, but they need support with other things too. Maybe your child’s school might appreciate a little time each week?
You might even inspire a whole new generation of book lovers.
Tweet your favourite writer
They’re the ones who spent hours slogging over their laptop, pouring words out onto the page, trying to perfect the story that they know they have to tell. They probably also spent time worrying about how other people would react, if anyone would even read their novel – never mind enjoy it!
So take a couple of minutes out of your day to send them a tweet to show your appreciation for their work. They might just share it and inspire someone else to give the book a try.
Review a little known book
A lot of book bloggers are keen to review the latest releases – it’s one of the best parts about blogging.
But don’t overlook older releases or those that came out under the radar. The big releases have a lot of weight behind their marketing campaigns: adverts, social media, blog tours and reviews in the national newspapers. There are a lot of books out there that don’t receive the same promotion, but that are just as deserving of an audience.
Buy someone a gift voucher…
You can give a friend a copy of your favourite book for their next birthday, but it could prove disappointing for you both if they don’t enjoy it.
Instead, give them a gift voucher and they can buy anything that catches their eye.
…or leave one in a library book
If you’re feeling particularly generous, you could always leave a gift voucher in a library book so that the next person who enjoys it can treat themselves to something special.
Little things like that can make someone’s day.
Jade @ Life's Open Pages says
Some really great ideas!
One thing I’ve started on my blog this year is sending a book I enjoyed out to another UK blogger who has interest in it. I’ve only done it once so far but it was a really fun experience.
🙂
Amy Lord says
Ooh that sounds like a good one to add to the list, thanks for the suggestion, Jade!
Gemma says
Wonderful wonderful ideas!!
Gemma
Amy Lord says
Thanks Gemma!
Sara Strauss says
This is fantastic!! These are all wonderful ideas! I’ve left little notes in library books and that’s always fun!
~Sara
Amy Lord says
That’s cute! It would be interesting to know who finds them 🙂