Book Lovers Day

Calling all book lovers! Today is National Book Lovers Day – the perfect opportunity to embrace your love of literature and immerse yourself in a good book. This could be a new book you purchased or borrowed from the library recently, an old favourite which you have read many times, or even a book recommended by a family member or friend that you have not started reading yet that you have been keen to start for a while. The possibilities are endless! National Book Lovers Day also encourages and promotes all forms of reading, whether it is a hardback, paperback, e-book, or audiobook.

History of Book Lovers Day…

National Book Lovers Day is recognised as an unofficial holiday, so much about its origins, such as its official creator or founder and when it began, is unknown. It primarily emerged among local communities that enjoyed reading and wanted to widely promote this love of books and literature across other communities and regions. This national day is now widely recognised and celebrated across the globe.

Health Benefits of Books…

The annual ‘State of the Nation’ study conducted by The Reading Agency found that just over 50% of UK adults would describe themselves as regular readers, with the most notable rise being among demographic groups in their 20s and 30s. This is not only good news for bookshops, booksellers and libraries – it can also improve the well-being of individuals and communities on a national level as studies have shown that making reading a regular activity is linked to cognitive benefits such as lower stress levels, a more enhanced vocabulary, higher empathy and improved focus and concentration.

Since stress is one of the biggest killers regarding how it increases your risk of a heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke, this means that reading regularly can not only have cognitive benefits but also physical health benefits as well. Reading is also very good for your mental health. According to statistics compiled in a report written in 2025 by The Reading Agency, more than half of individuals who read regularly were more likely to express that they were generally happy and in good spirits. Just over half of the participants who read regularly also reported better sleep and greater ease in relaxing and ‘switch off’. Participants in this study who read regularly were also 32% less likely to report feeling depressed or anxious.

How our Libraries can help…

Did you know that, in addition to academic textbooks, journals, and articles, we also have fiction books in our library stock? If you are a student or staff member, or have an external or SCONUL Access membership with us, and need a break from academic texts, we have a variety of fiction that covers various themes and genres, all of which can be found in our LibrarySearch catalogue. They can also be accessed and requested through LibrarySearch as well if you have the required borrowing and access privileges.

When requesting a book from us, you can select your preferred campus to pick it up from – we will then send the requested item to your chosen campus library for pickup. We also have a wide range of seating areas and relaxation spaces in all three of our campus library which you can use whilst reading any of our or your own books. Our libraries are devoted to providing quiet, accessible spaces for patrons, and if you need a peaceful place to read, you have come to the right place!

Much of our fictional texts can be found in our Wellbeing Collection. This collection has been specially curated with books and resources that cover a variety of themes and topics, including relationships, mental health, neurodiversity, digital well-being, and university life. Texts can be either fiction or non-fiction as well.

By Rachel Downie