Library – World Book Day – Book Recommendations & Writing Contest

Date & Time:
Location:Library

World Book Day (also known as World Book and Copyright Day) is an annual celebration organized by UNESCO to promote the joy of reading, publishing, and copyright awareness. Since its inception in 1995, it has become a global event observed in over 100 countries to recognize books as a “bridge between generations and across cultures”. In 2026, World Book Day is especially significant as it aligns with the National Year of Reading, a campaign focused on helping young people see reading as a fun, social, and everyday activity.

Aligned with the 2026 theme “You are a Reader,” the Library would like to invite our Members for a Writing Contest!

What’s Your Favourite Book?
Tell us what makes it special and why you’d recommend it! The American Club Library invites members 18 and under to submit a writing entry and share the stories that inspire them.

Who Can Enter:

Open to all club members 18 years old and under.

Submission Requirements:

  • Length: 300 – 500 words.
  • Content: Describe your favourite book and explain why you recommend it. Creative media including drawing or collages are welcome.
  • Include your NAME and MEMBERSHIP NUMBER with your entry
  • Entries can be submitted via email at library@americanclub.org.tw or dropped off at the library desk.

Deadline: April 17, 2026.

Prize:

  • The Winning entry and Runner-up entry will receive a mystery gift redeemable with the librarian!
  • The winning entry will also be featured in the April Library Newsletter and the next issue of Accent, the Club magazine.

Additional Information:

  • Winners will be notified via email and the results will be officially announced in the April Library Newsletter.
  • The mystery gift prize may be collected from the librarian during regular librarian working hours. This information can be found on the Club website and in the library.
  • Full contest guidelines and details are available on the club’s website and posted in the Library.
  • For any questions or assistance, please contact the Librarian at library@americanclub.org.tw

 

Share your favourite book and let the club community discover what has inspired you!

For more information, please contact American Club Librarian Jessie Chia at 02 2885-8260 ext. 568 or email to library@americanclub.org.tw

April Book Recommendation

For One More Day by Mitch Albom
This emotional novel comes from the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, a memoir that has sold over ten million copies worldwide and remains one of the most beloved works of reflective nonfiction in modern publishing. Albom’s books often explore mortality, memory, and what it means to love. For One More Day is one of the librarian’s favourite books!

 

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

By the Nobel Prize winning author of The Remains of the Day (also available at our library), Ishiguro’s prose always feels like quiet music. Klara and the Sun was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and continues Ishiguro’s exploration of consciousness and what it means to be human.

 

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
This luminous debut novel in letter form became an instant literary phenomenon, earning praise from authors and critics alike and landing on numerous year’s best lists. Vuong is also a celebrated poet, and his lyrical voice carries through every line.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Winner of the Booker Prize in 1997 the same year it was published, this novel made Roy one of the most remarkable voices in contemporary world literature. Its language bends like light through water, and its impact on postcolonial fiction is enormous.

Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro

Alice Munro, often called the “master of the contemporary short story,” by The Swedish Academy, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 for her profound explorations of interior lives.

 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

One of the most translated books in history The Alchemist has sold over 65 million copies and become a global touchstone for dreamers and seekers. Coelho himself is a beloved spiritual and philosophical voice around the world.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

This modern classic won the Governor General’s Award in Canada and has been adapted for television in an award winning series that brought renewed global attention to Atwood’s chilling vision of a dystopian future. Atwood’s fierce imagination and moral clarity have made her one of the most important writers of her generation.

 

Because of Winn‑Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This tender novel won a Newbery Honor for its warmth, humor, and empathetic heart. Kate DiCamillo later won the Newbery Medal twice, including for The Tale of Despereaux, which is also available in our library, including an illustrated edition. Because of Winn-Dixie was later adapted into a film starring Dakota Fanning, bringing Opal and her unforgettable dog to the screen.

 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

This beloved classic has never been out of print since its publication in 1908 and has charmed generations of readers with the imaginative and spirited Anne Shirley. The story has inspired numerous adaptations, including the internationally popular television series Anne with an E, which introduced a new generation of viewers to Anne’s world.

 

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

A longtime favorite in libraries and classrooms, this clever adventure is beloved for its puzzles, teamwork, and celebration of curiosity and critical thinking. The book received an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award Honor in 2008, recognizing stories that are especially engaging when read aloud. Years later, the story was adapted into the television series The Mysterious Benedict Society in 2021, praised for its stylized design, humor, and faithful tone to the books, showing the story’s continued relevance for new generations of readers and viewers.

 

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

This gentle and wise novel for young readers has become a staple in classrooms because of its multiple perspectives and emotional honesty. Buyea draws on his experience as a teacher to craft stories that feel both real and redemptive.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)

Published in 1999, this 13-book series is beloved for its dark humor, clever wordplay, and eclectic cast of unforgettable characters. Daniel Handler, writing as Lemony Snicket, is acclaimed for his wit and storytelling. The books were adapted into a widely loved Netflix series in 2017, which ran for three seasons and brought the Baudelaire orphans’ misadventures to a global audience, introducing the story to a new generation of readers while staying true to the series’ unique tone and charm.

 

 

The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel follows two North Korean siblings on a perilous journey toward freedom, combining striking artwork with a deeply emotional story. The Other Side of Tomorrow is Tina Cho’s first book translated into multiple languages, reaching readers beyond its original audience. She recently released The Princess and the Grain of Rice, a Korean retelling of The Princess and the Pea, showcasing her gift for reimagining timeless tales.