With just under two weeks until World Book Night--on April 23, half a million books will be given away around the country--organizers and participants are readying for the big giveaway. Boxes of books are being shipped to bookstores and libraries around the country, where givers will be able to pick them up and plan how they'll give away their share of the books on April 23.
Over 750 bookstores and libraries are holding pre-WBN receptions. In total, there are givers in 5,800 towns and cities around the country. Executive director Carl Lennertz said, "Adding to the impact of the national media we are coordinating will be the hundreds and hundreds of local news stories and the social media power of our 25,000 givers. We have a high giver turnout in every big city, and there are even more givers per capita in smaller cities and towns across the country, which is fantastic.”
The top 25 giver cities per capita are: Austin, TX; Indianapolis, IN; St. Louis, MO; Milwaukee, WI; Louisville, KY; Knoxville, TN; Wichita, KS; Durango, CO; Jackson, MS; Salt Lake City, UT; Wilmington, OH; Santa Cruz, CA; Athens, GA; Hamilton, MT; Albuquerque, NM; Naperville, IL; Portland, ME; Asheville, NC; Odessa, TX; Foxboro, MA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Blytheville, AR; Anchorage, AK; Deland, FL; and Corvallis, OR.
Among the many events planned for April 23 are Kate DiCamillo and Leif Enger appearing at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis and WBN honorary chairperson Anna Quindlen, author Buzz Bissinger, and other guests appearing at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square.
