World Book Day – Northern Lights’ Favourite Books

World Book Day – Northern Lights’ Favourite Books

2nd March 2017 Off By Stacey McMaster

At Northern Light’s we are celebrating World Book Day because it’s the foundation upon what we rest: reading. It’s something which we have all become used to at schools and bookshops around the country. This isn’t just celebrated in Britain but is celebrated all around the world.

However, what you might not know is that this is celebrated at different times depending on the country you’re in. This year in England it’s on March 2 but in most other countries it is celebrated in April.

We asked a couple of the Northern Lights team what their favourite books were and what initially got then into reading them. These are a few good recommendations if you are interested in reading something this World Book Day and you’ve got no idea where to start.

Jordan Davidson: “Technically I’m cheating here; the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy originated as a radio drama but was later penned as a full novel by its creator Douglas Adams.

“The book, which is the first of five in a series, blends fiercely sharp wit with utterly mind-bending nonsense, all told through the eyes of the painfully relatable every man Arthur Dent.

“Rescued from certain death when the earth is destroyed, Arthur realises that the universe is suddenly a lot larger than his house in the West Country

“This definitive comedy/science fiction, story explores themes such as religion, science, politics and (most of all) finding our place in an absurd and unpredictable universe.

“I was exposed to this series from a young age and it has only become more poignant and hilarious with time.Wonderfully cynical and undeniably British, the author’s decision to juxtapose the familiar and mundane with the bizarre makes for a truly entertaining and unique adventure, check it out!”

This book was written twenty years before World Book Day was introduced. It is in fact the twenty year anniversary of World Book Day in the UK since its launch in 1997.

In other countries, such as Spain, the date is April 23 when they hold the event. This means that it also coincides with numerous famous authors deaths including Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The latter was an important historical writer about the Incan culture in South America.

He was the first author born in the Americas to enter the western book scene. Books have always inspired us to explore new ways of thinking about questions of society and whether or not everything is as it seems.

Stacey McMaster: “My favourite book series is His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. I had always been interested into adventure and fantasy novels. This started with Harry Potter as a young child before I discovered this collection and fell in love.

“The book series consists of three novels told following the adventures of Lyra Belacqua. The first is the Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and the Amber Spy Glass. My favourite book has always been out of the trilogy the Northern Lights however not just for the name.

“As Lyra originally lives at Oxford University in this it provides a feeling of unerring closeness as the similarities provide a dystopia window to look through. It gives a glimpse through an outsider’s eye to struggles with religion, maturity and spiritual awakening still existent in our world today.”

World Book Day is about the expanding of minds while enjoying yourself by indulging in your favourite characters. If you want you, csn even dress up as your favourite character as competitions are happening up and down the country. If you want to find out more about what’s happening for World Book Day near you go to http://www.worldbookday.com/

@StaceySRNews