Tomorrow is World Book and Copyright Day. The 23rd April marks the date in 1616 on which Shakespeare and Cervantes, two giants of world literature, both passed. The day, launched by UNESCO in 1995, aims to encourage everyone to discover the pleasure of reading and to “gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity”.
Why not celebrate this day by exploring some of the great classics of literature through CityLibrary Search?
- Homer During Antiquity the Iliad and Odyssey had become central cultural texts. They were even used in ancient classrooms to teach children basic literacy. Whilst the identity of Homer is questioned, the beauty of both poems are not. The Lattimore and Fagles translations held by City Library are considered among the best. For the completely smitten we also have online versions of some of the original Ancient Greek books.
- “Shakespeare’s plays are not in the rigorous and critical sense either tragedies or comedies, but compositions of a distinct kind; exhibiting the real state of sublunary nature, which partakes of good and evil, joy and sorrow, mingled with endless variety of proportion and innumerable modes of combination”. Dr Johnson in Preface to Shakespeare , we can’t really put it better than that.
Remember: Shakespeare should be watched not read.
Did you know that every year Unesco along with publishers, booksellers and libraries select the World Book Capital for each year? This year we chose Wrocław in Poland.
- During her life Jane Austen was a moderately successful author. Since her death her stature has grown and she is now considered a canonical author of the English literary canon. People often have preconceptions of her work but they are worth reading. Lots of readers love Pride and Prejudice. Emma is considered her more mature work. It displays the skills of an author confidently portraying fully developed characters with only a few words. This novel also inspired the classic 1995 film Clueless.
- Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe is a brilliant book. Set in 1890 in a fictionalised village in Nigeria, the book centres on Okonkwo and follows the tension between two different cultural traditions. A modern classic, the novel invites rereading.
Did you know that in some areas of Spain St George’s Day, on the 23rd April as well, is celebrated by the exchange of books between loved ones? Maybe recommend a loved one’s favourite book for our shelves through MoreBooks.
- Stephen’s Copyright LibGuide is a classic read. Going through the complexities of Copyright Law he presents it in a clear and easy to understand manner. Not only is it a great read but it is very important to know about copyright – both for students and staff.
If you only read one text to mark World Book and Copyright Day make it this one.