Big weekend for readers

Whether you like short stories, mighty tomes of something with plenty of pictures, it is a big weekend for all book lovers.

The inaugural National Reading Day kicks off on Saturday as part of the National Reading Movement, a five-year campaign by the National Library Board (NLB) to encourage reading.

As part of the event, NLB has organised many activities for people of all ages at its libraries.

In short, yes, it's officially cool to be a bookworm.

Even our ministers have been gearing up for it by sharing their reads earlier this week.

For example, it was revealed some of the books that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently read include My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit and Operation Thunderbolt by Saul David.

 

 

This weekend also sees the highly-anticipated release of the latest Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child .

Ready to read? We tell you how you can jump on the bookwagon.

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FOR COMIC BOOK ENTHUSIASTS

Find out how your favourite comic characters went from pulp paper in the 30s to modern day pop culture icons.

80 Years of Saving the World: The Superhero's Journey from 1936-2016

Activity Room, Yishun Public Library, Jul 30, 1pm - 2pm

FOR FAMILIES

Get crafty with your family by learning how to make origami models in 10 minutes. Of course you can also borrow some books on origami to fold your own projects at home.

Origami Workshop

Activity Room, Bishan Public Library, Jul 30, 11am-12pm

FOR WAYANG KULIT FANS

Find out more about traditional shadow puppetry through stories about the art form.

Experience Wayang Kulit!

Open Stage, Cheng San Public Library, Jul 30, 3.30-4.30pm

FOR THE JETSETTERS

You might just discover your new favourite sci-fi thriller or chicklit 30,000 feet in the air.

Starting tomorrow (Jul 30), passengers on some Jetstar Asia flights might find an inflight entertainment alternative in the form of books in the seat pockets in front of them.

These books are part of Jetstar's new Big Book Swap initiative which allows passengers to pick up free books from trolleys at the departure gates of selected Jetstar flights at Changi Airport Terminal 1.

 

 

You can then leave it in the seat pocket of your next Jetstar flight after completing the book.

And if you want to share the love, you can also contribute books by obtaining a sticker from a cabin crew member, pasting it at the back of those books and leaving it in the seat pocket of your next Jetstar flight.

Jetstar's Big Book Swap ends on Aug 31.

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BONUS: FOR POTTERHEADS

July 30 shouldn't be the only time to embrace the habit of reading.

The week closes with a treat especially for Potterheads on Sunday (Jul 31).

Be sure to don your robes, grab your wands and join the festivities at some local bookstores here which are set for the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at 7.01am.

The script of the West End play of the same name follows Harry Potter, now father-of-three and an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, and shines the spotlight on his son Albus, who struggles with his family legacy.

Fans can lay their hands on the books at several book stores including Kinokuniya and Popular, which have lined up some magical activities to celebrate the release.

At Kinokuniya's Ngee Ann City branch, for example, fans can sit through a Sorting Hat ceremony, be treated to Harry Potter-inspired tartlets by Paul Singapore and show off their wizarding best in a cosplay competition.

Meanwhile, Popular's Bras Basah Complex outlet will be transformed into the Great Hall, complete with Butterbeer cauldrons, treacle tarts and the Golden Snitch.

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BOOK-RELATED INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

1 booksactually

 

 

This independent bookstore, which specialises in fiction and literature, also offers pretty and unique literary-related gems like tote bags and notebooks.

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2 sarahandschooling

 

 

This graphic design studio is a big supporter of the literary scene here and has produced numerous outstanding book and publication designs.

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3 hotdudesreading

 

 

The name says it all. Ladies, you're welcome.

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4 epigrambooks

 

 

This is the independent publisher behind Sonny Liew's bestselling book The Art Of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, which also won this year's Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction

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5 a.bookdragon

6 prisbookshelf

7 bookmosaic

8 thetirelessreader

There is a growing movement of book bloggers from around the world who take pictures of their books in arty (or even artistic) settings.

Primarily using Instagram as the primary method of display, the trend has become known as having a bookstagram. 

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9 publiclibrarysg

Last but not least, we give credit where credit is due.

For most of us, our local libraries are places where we borrowed our first books and decades since then, they continue to work hard to foster a love and appreciation for reading.