23rd April. WORLD BOOK DAY.

DO YOU ENJOY READING?

23 April is  a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. 

 It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.

          The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold. The success of the World Book and Copyright Day will depend primarily on the support received from all parties concerned (authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media), who have been mobilized in each country by UNESCO National Commissions, UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations, Associated Schools and Libraries, and by all those who feel motivated to work together in this world celebration of books and authors.

          The year 2012 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Index Translationum. This international bibliography of translation provides a unique tool for the monitoring of translation flows in the world. UNESCO will celebrate this anniversary by organizing a debate on this instrument. .
Consequently, UNESCO suggests that the activities organized in conjunction with this year’s World Book and Copyright Day focus on the themes of books and translation. (Taken from UNESCO´s web)

Today due to the influence of technological resources, computer games, TV shows, internet, it is difficult for some people to enjoy a book. Too many distractors... but despite all the resources we may have , nothing will replace the world of fantasy, mistery, etc.  a good book is going to take us into.

Books can embark us on hundreds of adventures without leaving our own room, they are a source of inspiration that help us open and improve our imaginations so LET´S MAKE AN EFFORT AND TRY TO READ MORE.  

    23rd April is an important date because two important and worldwide known writers died on this day: MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. (23rd April 1616). Both oth them are very important for the world literature for many different reasons:  

-          They write about universal topics. Both write about the human being and all the feelings related to them: justice, luck, power, etc.

-          Shakespeare, for example writes about love, treason, jealousy, intrigues. These topics are still important for us and in fact, they still rule the world. We can see plots with these topics in films, soap operas, etc.

-          Cervantes´Don Quixote is also quite up to date. There  are many Quixotes in our society trying to look for an answer and trying to fight destiny.

-          Both writers created characters that are very important for our world and we still make reference to them on many different occasions: SANCHO PANZA, ROMEO, HAMLET, DON ALONSO QUIJANO, etc. Their characters are now part of our lives and adjectives and new words have been introduced in our language such as “quijotesco” or sentences like “ to be or not to be….”. Some people feel like Romeos when they have difficult love lives….

BOOKCROSSING

Do you know what bookcrossing is?

 It  is defined as "the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise." The term is derived from bookcrossing.com, a free online book club which began in order to encourage the practice, aiming to "make the whole world a library."

The 'crossing' or exchanging of books may take any of a number of forms, including wild releasing books in public, direct swaps with other members of the websites, or "book rings" in which books travel in a set order to participants who want to read a certain book. The community aspect of BookCrossing.com has grown and expanded in ways that were not expected at the outset, in the form of blog or forum discussions, mailing lists and annual conventions throughout the world!!!

Have you ever practised it?

Let´s recommend some books and do a kind of bookcrossing. i will start with my own recommendations then it will be your turn....



ENJOY READING!!

HERE YOU YOU SOME OF MY SUGGESTIONS.

YOU CAN SEE DIFFERENT COVERS

OF SOME WELL-KNOWN BOOKS.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS IS THE NEVERENDING STORY".  It is wonderful.. You won´t be able to put the book down, lots of fantasy, magical worlds, monsters, evil creatures, charming creatures.

Other books easy to read and quite fun are THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME.(Hilarious, original, heartbreaking sometimes. In sum, a wonderful novel you should read!!!!) or THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE or THE DIARY OF WIMPY KID.

What books do you like? Choose 2 books you have enjoyed and prepare a presentation including different aspects such as plot ( don´t talk about the end....), characters, what things you have liked, why you recommend it to your classmates, etc.  If you have the books at home, bring them and let´s start our bookcrossing. Try to do a powerpoint presentation with images like the one you have above and include your own comments:

- PLOT ( briefly)

- Characters ( briefly)

- Strong points. The best thing