Wednesday is National Read a Book day, the perfect excuse for book lovers to read a new book

Kiara Fleming, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
Updated ·3 min read

Book lovers take note, Wednesday is National Read a Book Day that is observed annually on Sept. 6 and is the perfect excuse for book lovers to read a book.

The day calls for "all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby, guilt-free," according to nationaltoday.com, which compiles lists of national days throughout the year. "Bringing new worlds to life, books enlighten us and transport us on exciting adventures."

Reading is important for children and adults, not only because it sharpens vocabulary and improves IQ, but also because it reduces the brain's rate of declining once a person reaches advanced age, according to Reader's Digest.

Statistics show that about 73% of adults between 30 and 49 years old, have read at least one book in the past 12 months, according to pewresearch.org.

You don't even have to buy a book. In fact, the Mississippi Library Commission operates libraries throughout the state at which readers can check out a book for free.

"In the state of Mississippi, there are 240 public libraries and 53 branches for the residents to come and check in and out of books throughout the day," said Tracy Carr, deputy director library services for the Mississippi Library Commission.

"It doesn't matter what county you live in, all library cards are free, all you have to do is show some form of ID," Carr said of how people can obtain a library card.

Below we offer some suggestions to help you choose a book to read on National Read a Book Day from the current Mississippi Top Reads list that appears every Sunday on the Clarion Ledger Books Page and is compiled by University Press of Mississippi based on sales rankings reported by book sellers including The Book Mart & Café (Starkville); Friendly City Books (Columbus); Lemuria Books (Jackson); Lorelei Books (Vicksburg); Square Books (Oxford).

Tom Lake
Tom Lake

Perhaps you also might find a good book at the link below for some of the best-selling books of 2023 as compiled by the USA Today best sellers book list.

National Read a Book Day is the perfect excuse for book lovers to kick up their feet at home, lie on the beach or just catch a few minutes at their favorite café to read a new book or reread their all-time favorite book.

More: What performers are coming to the Mississippi State Fair in October? We have the details

Mississippi Top Reads

  • 1. “The Mississippi Football Book,” Rick Cleveland, Nautilus Publishing

  • 2. “Crook Manifesto,” Colson Whitehead, Random House

  • 3. “Tom Lake,” Ann Patchett, Harper Collins

  • 4. “The Steps We Take,” Ellen Ann Fentress, University Press of Mississippi

  • 5. “Tailgreat,” John Currence, Ten Speed Press

  • 6. “Gently Scattered Intentions,” Laurie Parker, YonderDove

  • 7. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” Taylor Jenkins Reid, Washington Square Books

  • 8. “Intermission,” Phyllis R. Dixon, Random House

  • 9. “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Griffin

  • 10. “Verity,” Colleen Hoover, Grand Central Publishing

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: National Read a Book Day Jackson MS