Free Books Spread Joy of Reading, Understanding of Native American Identity

“FREE BOOKS,” said the sign on the table. I expected there to be a mad rush and an empty table within minutes. Instead, people were skeptical about approaching the table. It was World Book Night, which is a charitable initiative designed to spread the joy and love of reading – simple as that.

Once people realized that the book was free with no catch, it was amazing to see those glowing smiles. Varying expressions of, “Really? It’s free?” were followed by “Why?” and ultimately, “What is World Book Night?”

What is World Book Night?

World Book Night was celebrated on Monday, April 23. The call for volunteers by the nonprofit organization, World Book Night USA (WBN), resulted in 25,000 passionate people willing to give away 20 copies of one of 30 specially chosen and printed WBN editions in their community to spread the joy and love of reading. When I saw the notice for volunteers, I immediately signed up and wrote my essay requesting to participate, one of the requirements. 

My choice was Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”. The basis of my participation was to educate my community about Native American contemporary issues along with the basic concept of equity and justice. Equity and justice are at the forefront in my daily work at San Francisco State University (SFSU).

A driving force behind this passion is Dr. Velia Garcia, Professor Emeritus at SFSU, a friend, mentor and a strong Latina, who encouraged the spirit of community giving in me. Over the eight years that I worked side by side with her, as she led the SFSU Department of Raza Studies, I learned a lot about what it means to give to community.

Dr. Garcia taught within the sphere of race and ethnicity, social inequality, crime and justice and social history. While she enriched the academic program with a constant emphasis on issues of criminal and economic justice, I noticed that her students not only respected her for academic guidance but for her compassionate approach to the specific needs of the students. 

Not only did she administer an academic program and teach, Dr. Garcia also played an active role in the local politics of Pescadero, the community where she resides. As a true educator, she also became a staunch supporter of community organizations such as Puente, a program that “cultivates important aspects of community itself through its commitment to the values of self-determination, self-sufficiency, social justice, and the richness of our natural environment, collective history, and heritage.”

A basic theme that ran through Dr. Garcia’s work was that of self-determination and identity. This is the premise that runs throughout Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”.

Becoming a Giver

Once I found out that I was chosen as a World Book Night Giver, I began making plans for where to hand out books and a time. The date was already set by World Book Night organizers. 

I chose , a cornerstone business in Pacifica and a frequent participant in local charitable efforts.

According to the organization’s website, April 23 is the UNESCO International Day of the Book, chosen in honor of Shakespeare and Cervantes, who both died on April 23, 1616. (It is also the anniversary of Shakespeare's birthday.) In the Catalan region of Spain, the day is celebrated by giving a book and a flower to a loved one. 

World Book Night was introduced in 2011 in the UK and Ireland to bring attention to books for adult readers. For the United States’ inaugural year, 2012, there were a few young adult books included.

World Book Night books are specially produced, not-for-resale paperbacks. Book givers received 20 copies of the same book, from the list of 30 picks.  We were asked to make three choices and I was able to get my first choice.

Other givers, like Virginia Medrano Rosales, also received their first choice.

“I selected "The Glass Castle" because I was moved by Jeanette Walls' memoir about overcoming a childhood of dysfunction, alcoholism, and poverty,” she said. “I was hopeful that in sharing the book, the recipients would be enlightened and inspired. Many of the recipients shared that they had firsthand similarities with the author. I feel blessed that I was selected to be part of this extraordinary opportunity as a book giver. I'm so grateful for this memorable experience of receiving through the joy of giving.”

Handing out Books

As I waited in the Oceana Market Café, people of all ages tentatively came up to the table for a free book. Ranging from teens to those in their golden years, most were tired from a hard day’s work or school and were there to pick up fixings for dinner. Those who stopped by the table were treated to Alexie’s book or Rebecca Skloot’s “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”.

“I was having a hard day and this really turned things around for me,” said one reader with relief.

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