SIOUX CITY, IA -
It's World Book Night across the country, encouraging people to pick up their favorite paperback and read!
April 23rd is World Book Night. The date was chosen based on Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes' date of death (22 April) as well as William Shakespeare's (23 April).
It was launched last year in the United Kingdom, and this is the first year in the U.S.
Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide gave out a half a million books from a list of 30 different titles.
The Sioux City store handed out copies of "The Hunger Games" because of the movie craze.
Volunteers say it's really popular right now, great for either an adult or child, and has mass appeal.
"This book is dystopian, so it's based on after our society is broken down and what the world would be like after society is broke down," said Barnes & Noble employee Elisha Karr. "So the idea that you can create a book about anti– community, I thought that was really interesting and it would be a great choice."
Barnes and Noble is a sponsor of World Book Night.
The South Sioux City Public Library and Sioux Center Library also handed out books today.
