I know what you’re thinking – isn’t every day book lovers day?
On this particular day, apparently, people all over the globe are asked to put away their smartphones and other tech devices/distractions, pick up a book, and read. Those of us who do love books don’t really need much prompting to put those things aside, but we’ll take any excuse, right?
I also never need an excuse to get nerdy about books, but I’ll definitely take one when it comes around.
Did you know?
The Diamond Sutra is said to be the oldest known printed book, a Buddhist book from Dunhuang, China, from around 868 A.D. This was created through block printing. (Other printed texts that survived from this area/time included a calendar, mathematical charts, dictionaries, etiquette instruction, and children’s educational material.)
Book fun facts:
*Most expensive book ever sold: Codez Leicester, Leonardo di Vinci’s science diary, sold for $30.8 million in 1994
*Largest bookstore based on shelf space: Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, Oregon
*Oldest continuously run bookstore: Livraria Bertrand, open since 1732 in Lisbon, Portugal
*Longest published sentence: Victor Hugo wrote an 823-word sentence in Les Miserable
*Most copies sold: The top verified contender is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens with over two hundred million sold
Book vocabulary:
Bibliophile: a lover of books
from Greek biblio- meaning book and -philos meaning one that loves, likes, or is attracted to
Librocubicularist: someone who likes to read in bed
coining credited to Christopher Morley in The Haunted Bookshop.
from Latin libr- meaning book and cubiculum meaning bedroom
Biblichor: the distinctive fragrance of old books
newly created word
from Greek biblio meaning book and ichor meaning the fluid that flows like blood in the veins of the gods)
Related – Bibliosmia: loving the smell of old books
Always wanted to write a book but feel like it’s too late?
Bertha Wood began writing her memoir at the age of 90. She was 100 when it was released, counting her as the oldest known first-time author.
Ami Maxine 