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National Book Month

Get ready to curl up with a good book because it's National Book Month! Discover new stories, authors, and genres all month long.

Thursday

1–31

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAll of October

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Book Month throughout the entire month of October! This special holiday was established in 1987 by the National Book Foundation to promote reading and literacy across the country. It's a time to appreciate the power of books and their ability to transport us to different worlds, educate us, and inspire us. With so many genres and authors to choose from, there is truly a book for everyone. So grab your favorite novel, cozy up with a cup of tea, and let's dive into the wonderful world of literature together!

TIMELINE

National Book Month Timeline

National Book Month Established

The National Book Foundation established National Book Month to promote reading and literacy across the United States.

First National Reading Programs

Public libraries and schools started annual reading programs in conjunction with National Book Month, encouraging people to read more books.

Expansion to Major Retailers

Major book retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon begin promoting National Book Month, creating special displays and offering discounts on books throughout October.

Incorporation of Digital Platforms

E-readers and digital libraries start promoting National Book Month, expanding the reach and accessibility of books for many readers.

National Book Month Goes Social

With the rise of social media, book lovers start celebrating National Book Month online using hashtags like #NationalBookMonth and #booklovers to share their favorite reads and recommendations.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Book Month

Create a book club

Gather some friends or family members and start a book club for National Book Month. Choose a new book to read each month and have discussions about it over coffee or tea.

ATTEND

Attend a book festival

Do some research and find a book festival happening near you during National Book Month. Attend the festival and discover new authors, attend book signings, and participate in book-related activities.

HOST

Host a book swap

Invite friends over for a book swap party during National Book Month. Everyone can bring books they've already read and exchange them with others, allowing everyone to discover new titles to read.

EXPLORE

Explore your local library

Take a trip to your local library during National Book Month and spend some time browsing the shelves. You may discover a new favorite book or genre that you never would have found otherwise.

WRITE

Write a book review

Challenge yourself to write a book review for each book you read during National Book Month. Not only will this help you reflect on the book, but it can also be helpful for others looking for new titles to read.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Book Month is Important

It provides a chance for self-reflection

Taking part in National Book Month can be a great way to reflect on personal interests, broaden one's perspective, or simply escape into another world through the pages of a book. It encourages individuals to set aside time for themselves to read and relax, which can have countless mental and emotional benefits.

It promotes a love for reading

National Book Month celebrates the joy and importance of books and encourages people to pick up a book and start reading. This can help cultivate a love for reading in individuals of all ages, leading to many positive benefits such as improving literacy skills and increasing imagination and creativity.

It supports the literary community

National Book Month also serves as an opportunity to highlight and support authors, publishers, and other professionals in the book industry. It promotes the importance of literature in our society and helps raise awareness of smaller or lesser-known writers and their work.

Related holidays

National Book Week

Unlock the magic of stories during National Book Week! Immerse in fabulous tales and embark on countless literary adventures!

World Book Night

On World Book Night, let's spread the love for reading and share our favorite books with others - because everyone deserves a good story!

National Reading Month

Month-long awareness observance in March promoting literacy and the joy of reading among children and communities.

Pop CultureMonth-long

NZ Book Month

A cultural observance in March promoting New Zealand books and authors to increase readership of local literature.

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