​National Book Month - The month-long celebration focuses on the importance of reading, writing and literature.

​National Book Month 2024 – October 2024

National Book Month is held each October. The month-long celebration focuses on the importance of reading, writing and literature. National Book Month is also a time to honor the country’s best books and authors. In mid-October, the National Book Awards announces the year’s 15 finalists. In 2018, that will happen on October 10th. The National Book Foundation created the first National Book Month in 2003.

National Book Month timeline

October 2003
​First National Book Month

The National Book Foundation created the first National Book Month in 2003.

​1950
National Book Awards are founded​

​The National Book Foundation created the National Book Awards, to honor the country's top authors each year.

​1817
Harper Bros. was founded in New York City​

​Palmer Putnam and John Wiley established one of America's first major publishing houses in what would later become the center of the publishing industry: New York City.

​1439
Printing press sparks a revolution

Johannes Gutenberg began work on his printing press ​— the first with mechanical movable type. The ability to print anything quickly sparked the Printing Revolution, where knowledge and ideas spread around the world.

How to Observe National Book Month

  1. Start a new book

    One of the best ways to celebrate National Book Month is by opening a book you've never read before. It may be your 20th of the year, or your first. Either way, you're embracing what this month is all about.

  2. Share an old book

    There are so many powerful, funny, touching and life-changing books out there. Take one of your favorites and share it with someone.

  3. Post on social media

    Use #NationalBookMonth to let your friends and followers know what you're up to this month. Tell them what you're reading and why, and encourage them to do the same!

​5 Top American Authors

  1. ​Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

    Twain was most famous for "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," which has been called "the Great American Novel.

  2. ​Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961)

    ​Hemingway's classics include "The Sun Also Rises," "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "The Old Man and the Sea.

  3. ​Edgar Allen Poe (1809 – 1849)

    ​Poe is best known for his short stories and dark poetry, including one of his most famous: "The Raven." He is largely viewed as the creator of the detective fiction genre.

  4. John Steinbeck​ (1902 - 1968)

    ​Steinbeck is most well-known for his work "The Grapes of Wrath." Steinbeck won the 1972 Nobel Prize in Literature.

  5. F. Scott Fitzgerald​ (1896 – 1940)

    Fitzgerald was only moderately successful while alive, but has achieved notoriety as one of the best American authors of all time in the decades since. Think "The Great Gatsby.

Why National Book Month is Important

  1. It encourages reading

    The ultimate goal of National Book Month is to encourage reading — an activity with many proven benefits. Reading can help anyone develop better vocabulary, improve memory, expand knowledge, and lower stress.

  2. It honors the greatest

    National Book Month helps recognize the greatest books and authors, which in turn gives young children diverse role models. It's important to show young people that literature and authors are still relevant and important.

  3. It encourages family time

    National Book Month encourages families to enjoy new books together. Reading aloud or discussing new works around the dinner table supports family time and bonding.

National Book Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 October 1 Sunday
2024 October 1 Tuesday
2025 October 1 Wednesday
2026 October 1 Thursday
2027 October 1 Friday
International Coffee Day
World Vegetarian Day
​International Day of Older Persons
Chinese National Day
National Black Dog Day
National Homemade Cookies Day
National Hair Day
National Fire Pup Day
​Pchum Ben
National Lace Day
CD Player Day
Model T Day
International Music Day
Balloons Around the World Day
Filipino American History Month
World Ballet Day
National Day of China
Teacher's Day in Uzbekistan
ROK Alliance Day
Nigeria Independence Day
Cyprus Independence Day
World Sake Day
Tuvalu Independence Day
International Raccoon Appreciation Day
National Fruit at Work Day
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
FGTeeV Chase's Birthday
Peter Thomas's Birthday
Julie Andrews's Birthday
Latisha Scott's Birthday
Dorian Hunter's Birthday
Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Birthday
Matthew Daddario's Birthday
Priah Ferguson's Birthday
Delianna Urena's Birthday
Zach Galifianakis's Birthday
Nathaniel Drew's Birthday
Myles Parrish's Birthday
RD Benji's Birthday
Brie Larson's Birthday
Drew Chadwick's Birthday
Isis King's Birthday
National Walk Your Dog Week
Elderly Filipino Week
Health Literacy Month
​​Italian American Heritage Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Wellness Month
German American Heritage Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
​National Dental Hygiene Month
​National Depression Education and Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
​National Pizza Month
​National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pretzel Month
National Sausage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
​Fair Trade Month
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Vegetarian Month
National Chiropractic Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
​Blindness Awareness Month
AIDS Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
​National ADHD Awareness Month
​National Critical Illness Awareness Month
​National Ergonomics Month
​National Liver Awareness Month
​National Protect Your Hearing Month
​Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
​World Menopause Month
​National Physical Therapy Month
​National Book Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
National Crime Prevention Month
Church Library Month
Halloween Safety Month
Go Sober For October
Italian American Heritage and Culture Month
Financial Planning Month
International Walk To School Month
National Apple Month
National Non-GMO Month
National Pescatarian Month
Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month
Bat Appreciation Month
National Cookie Month
National Medical Librarians Month
​National Learning and Development Month
Contact Lens Safety Month
Country Music Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Church Safety and Security Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Cookbook Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National LGBT History Month
​National Bullying Prevention Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
World Animal Month
Unblocktober
National Pet Wellness Month
World Autism Month
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
Museums and Galleries Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
Squirrel Awareness Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
​​Global Diversity Awareness Month
Family History Month
International School Libraries Month
Hog Out Month
Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
​Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Work and Family Month
​National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
The Big Draw
National Indigenous Peoples Month
American Pharmacists Month
Black Speculative Fiction Month
​Healthy Lung Month