What’s so special about August 9th? For all the authors, bookworms and bibliophiles out there, this is your day! National Book Lovers Day is an opportunity to harness all the enthusiasm and passion you have for books and delight in reading the day away…guilt free! If you are a book aficionado, then you know firsthand the boundless pleasure found in reading and the momentary respite it offers from the demands of daily life. Whether you gravitate toward the suspense of a thrilling mystery, the inspiration of a heartfelt memoir or the enchantment of a magical journey, reading wonderfully stimulates the mind and feeds the spirit, page by page. In addition to being highly enjoyable, reading brings myriad benefits as well.
Reading is Good for You
- Increase knowledge
- Reduce stress
- Enhance writing skills
- Improve mood
- Promote well-being
- Enhance creativity
- Strengthen memory
- Increase longevity
- Improve sleep
- Expand vocabulary
- Promote analytic skills
- Improve cognition
- Increase empathy
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
~ Garrison Keillor
What’s Inside Your Book Jacket?
Roald Dahl teaches us to dream big, J. K. Rowling teaches us to be brave and C.S. Lewis teaches us to ask questions in the pursuit of truth. These modern fiction authors artfully draw us into the world of fantasy and introduce us to characters who stay in our hearts for a lifetime. Malcolm Gladwell reminds us that success is not determined by talent alone, Eckhart Tolle reminds us to focus on the power of the present moment and Anne Frank reminds us to be hopeful and resilient in the face of adversity. Nonfiction writers can also leave strong, lasting impressions by skillfully weaving together facts and narratives to inform and captivate us. Mary Oliver helps us appreciate the quiet occurrences of nature, Walt Whitman helps us appreciate the complexities of ordinary people in everyday situations and Langston Hughes helps us appreciate the aspiration of creating a more inclusive and equitable society. Poets masterfully use words to give voice to our innermost thoughts and feelings in a way that resonates deeply. These are three of the many genres book lovers can choose from. Depending on how finely the genres are teased out, there can be as many as 110, although most publishers agree there are roughly 50 book genres. With so many incredible books within each genre, it is challenging to crown just one genre as the most popular. But, if you consider the 2025 bestseller lists (e.g. New York Times and Amazon), nearly half of the top selling books fall into the fantasy genre, making it arguably the most popular genre among readers.
10 Most Popular Book Genres of 2025
- Fantasy – Elements of magic or the supernatural often inspired by mythology or folklore.
- Romance – The romantic relationship is the center point of the plot.
- Biography – A person’s life story written in the third person by someone other than the subject.
- Children – Written with readers under the age of 12 in mind (board books to middle grade epics).
- True Crime – True stories, about all things fearful and forbidden.
- Science Fiction – Distinguished by its preoccupation with real or real-feeling science.
- Mystery – Characterized by a gripping plot that revolves around a whodunit.
- Historical Fiction – Carefully balancing creativity and facts in a historical setting.
- Self-Help – Centers on encouraging personal improvement and confidence.
- History (Nonfiction) – Accurate facts about a historical era, event or figure.
Celebrate the Joy of Reading
Book lovers of all ages have a variety of genres to explore and multiple ways to savor their reading experiences – physical books (paperback and hardcover), digital books (reflowable and PDF) and audiobooks (a listen-only form of reading). Whatever tickles your literary taste buds, find a cozy spot and dive into just about the most pleasurable activity on the planet. National Book Lovers Day is also the perfect time to share the delight of reading with the people in your life – gather fellow page-turners and host a themed book night, attend a literary event or plan a scavenger hunt at a used bookstore. Consider the thoughtful gift of a well chosen book for someone special – a classic picture book for a preschooler, an antique book for a collector or a parenting book for an expectant friend. There are so many creative and wonderful ways to get into the bookish spirit on National Book Lovers Day!
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” ~ Mason Cooley
