Bookish Things We Love
Our book club enjoys anything bookish, but we love these bookish things in particular & know you will too.
The Book Fairies "hide books around the world for people to find, read & then leave for the next person. The best thing is that YOU can get involved to be a book fairy and share your books too."
A World Adventure by Book members became book fairies on Hide a Book Day this year helping spread a love of global reading.
English PEN is an organization defending/promoting freedom of expression & removing barriers to literature.
"We work to remove inequalities, where they exist, which prevent people’s enjoyment and learning from literature. We match writers with marginalised groups such as people in prisons in the UK, in refugee or detention centres and young people in disadvantaged areas, opening minds to reading and creative writing.
We facilitate and promote translation into English of published work in foreign languages we consider to be of outstanding literary merit. We celebrate writing of merit and courage through introducing audiences to new and acclaimed authors and awarding prizes for achievement."
Free Word is an international organization dedicated to literature, literacy & free expression.
"Free Word Centre hosts public events all year round, exploring issues in contemporary politics, literature and culture. Among its programme of events are author talks, panel discussions, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops and conferences
Free Word is a charity, and it is with the generous support of trusts and individuals that we continue to explore the cultural and political power of words."
The Global Anthology is a collection of 220+ international works of prose presented by Culture Trip. The variety of prose is astonishing including all recognized countries from around the world as well as many sovereignties, territories & flag-less regions from Abkhazia to Zimbabwe. They feature as many underappreciated writers (to English/Western readers) as possible often arranging for the author's first translation into English & subsequent publication.
Where possible, they have included the prose online freely available from their web site. When not available, they have linked to samples on Google Books & Amazon.
The Library Browser Extension is a free browser extension that checks to see whether books you're viewing online are available via your library (or libraries) in any/all formats.
Whether you're looking at books on Amazon, Good Reads, Audible or any other bookish site, you'll be able to tell instantly whether that book is available to borrow.
Little Free Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world to inspire a love of reading.
Their 50,000+ Little Free Libraries in all 50 US states & over 70 countries around the world provide 24/7 access to books. The organization was even honored by the US Library of Congress for creating communities of literacy.
You can help by dropping off a book at your local Little Free Library, founding a Little Free Library, joining their Action Book Club or donating to the cause.
Operation Paperback is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which helps you send your used books to US troops, veterans & families at home & abroad. They've even earned commendations from the President of the United States & the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce for their vital work.
Register & you can then request the addresses of troops, veterans or military families. Select the book genres you have on hand & their system will walk you through the process of how to package & ship the books directly to military readers in need.
Room to Read is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity consistently rated 4-stars on Charity Navigator since 2006. Seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries, they focus on literacy & gender equality in education.
Your donation will aid children in low-income countries by supporting literacy during early primary school & advocating for girls' education in secondary school.
Ann Morgan's TED Talk, My Year Reading a Book from Every Country in the World was the inspiration for our book club. A freelance writer & editor from London, she realized that she'd read very few books from beyond the English-speaking world & set out to change that.
Within a year, she'd read a book from every country & documented her journey on her web site & in her book titled The World Between Two Covers. (Same book, different title in the UK: Reading the World). She also runs a Facebook page dedicated to her international reading.
Content used with permission of Little Free Library, LTD. Little Free Library® is a registered trademark of Little Free Library, LTD, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.