Today is National Book Lovers Day, that curious unofficial holiday designed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature, or perhaps to nudge the non‑readers gently toward the nearest bookshelf.

I’ll be honest: this particular holiday has always baffled me. I was under the apparently incorrect impression that every day was Book Lovers Day. Who knew we were meant to restrict our devotion to the printed page to a single date on the calendar?

Still, if the world insists on giving us a dedicated day, let’s honour it properly.

So find a good book, settle into a comfortable corner, raise a glass to the quiet magic of stories, and begin reading. After all, the best journeys often start with the simple act of turning a page.