How to celebrate World Book Night from home

Turn up the lights, bang on the kettle, and get your bookmark at the ready... World Book Night is back. Only, given the lockdown, the festival - now in its 10th year - is doing things a little differently this time around. Normally celebrated through a national network of book-themed parties, late-night read-a-thons, literary giveaways and more, this year it is going fully virtual so readers can continue to celebrate all things books from the comfort and safety of their home.

Run by book charity The Reading Agency, the annual event brings together people across the country under the banner of of books, designed not only to celebrate the power of the written word, but also the genuine difference books can have on people's lives. While World Book Day is about celebrating the joys of reading by those who love books, World Book Night is about reaching out to the 36 percent of the population who don’t read for pleasure. As they say, 'adults who read for 30 mins a week are 20 percent more likely to report greater life satisfaction'. 

And as we continue to adjust to this time of national isolation, never has reading brought more solace, pleasure or distraction to so many. So, from virtual parties to author broadcasts, audiobook giveaways to book-themed quizzes, here are some of the best virtual events going on this year.