The National Book Foundation Urges
Americans to Read Aloud and Share
“The Book that Changed My Life”

New York, New York – The National Book Foundation, which sponsors the National Book Awards, has declared Saturday, October 22 as “National Read Aloud Day.”

“Reading great books out loud to each other is something we want to encourage people of all ages to do – not just parents and children,” said Harold Augenbraum, director of the National Book Foundation. “We hope that this day will help people rediscover the joy of reading aloud and sharing a great book with people you love.”

The headlining event for “National Read Aloud Day” is a 12-hour marathon of readings by luminaries in many fields that will take place in New York City at Symphony Space. Each participant will talk about “The Book that Changed My Life” and read excerpts from it. Among the participants are: Kurt Andersen, Sandra Boynton, Kate Burton, Kathleen Chalfant, Jacques D’Amboise, Margo Jefferson, John Lithgow, Cynthia Nixon, Marian Seldes, and Richard Thomas. Tickets are $10.00 and are available through www.symphonyspace.org or by calling the box office at (212)864-5400.

In addition, Continental Airlines will be showing a video on its flights that features Carol Higgins Clark, Nikki Giovanni, Robert Pinsky, and Francine Prose speaking about the book(s) that changed their lives.

For many years, the National Book Foundation has asked Finalists and Winners of the National Book Award to comment on the book that has most influenced their lives and their selections and commentaries are available on the foundation’s website at www.nationalbook.org and in a book, The Book That Changed My Life, which can be purchased through the website.

More information about these events and the activities surrounding the National Book Awards on November 16 is available at www.nationalbook.org.

###

Press Contact: Camille McDuffie, Goldberg McDuffie Communications (212)446-5106 or cmcduffie@goldbergmcduffie.com