Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau surveys over one million Americans, asking about their lives and families, including the language they mainly speak in their households.

English and Spanish are the most popular languages, but what happens if we exclude them, and focus on the rest?

A result is shown in the new infographic designed by the Visual Capitalist.

It turns out that Mandarin and Cantonese are the most common, with almost 3.5 million speakers across the country, out of 309 million people aged five and older. It’s over 11%, and it’s these languages are the most common in 17 states.

Tagalog, an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines, is popular only in Nevada. However, as many as 1.76 million people use it daily. It makes it the second most commonly spoken language in the U.S., when we don’t count English and Spanish.

The next places are taken by Vietnamese (1.57 million) and Arabic (1.26 million).

When it comes to European languages, the German is spoken in four states, but fewer people speak it daily compared to French. The latter language is also spoken in four states (Louisiana, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire), with 1.17 speakers.

Click or tap the infographic to see it enlarged.

Via The Visual Capitalist blog.

Interested in infographics about reading and languages? Have a look at our recent additions.

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”infographics”]

Some book lovers sometimes need a little reminder to reach for a favorite book or go to a library.

A literary calendar is a wonderful way to keep track of important events to celebrate and share with students or other book lovers.

The idea to design the calendars was inspired by fantastic literary calendars created by Emily Temple for Flavorwire, back in 2013.

I also used the Literary Birthday Calendar from Writers Write, and Literary Hub’s Fictional Dates in Literature (Emily Temple, again!).

For quotes and fun facts, I used our own lists, including most interesting facts about books and libraries.

Would you like to get the calendars in a quality that’s high enough to print them out in the US letter or A4 paper size? High-resolution calendar pdf files are available for download at our sister blog, Reader updated.

If you’d like to hang the calendars on a wall, I have made the designs to my Redbubble, Society6, and Zazzle shop. They are available in different sizes and finish options. Enjoy!

12 monthly literary calendars

January

January 1 – International Public Domain Day

The first day when copyrights expire and works enter into the public domain.

January 2 – Science Fiction Day

Unofficially celebrated by sci-fi fans to correspond with the birthdate of a prolific science-fiction author, Isaac Asimov.

January 3 – J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday, 1892

An English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is best known for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

January 12 – Haruki Murakami is born, 1949

An Acclaimed Japanese essayist, short-story writer, and novelist. The author of Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore.

January 18 – National Thesaurus Day

Celebrating the birthday of the creator of the first English-language thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget.

January 19 – Edgar Allan Poe is born, 1809

An American poet and writer best known for his macabre works. The author of The Raven and The Masque of the Red Death.

January 27 – Lewis Carroll’s birthday, 1832

An inventor, photographer, and the master of word play. The author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

January 28 – Pride and Prejudice is published, 1813

The novel was originally published anonymously, as were all of Jane Austen’s novels.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A sci-fi book by a debut author
Week 2: A book set in a Victorian era
Week 3: A book recommended by Tolkien fans
Week 4: A book about travelling to a mysterious land

Did you know?

Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt houses the oldest continually operating library in the world, established AD 565.

Quote

If a book is well written, I always find it too short. – Jane Austen

February – Library Lover’s Month

February 3 – Johannes Gutenberg’s death, 1468

A German goldsmith who invented a movable-type printing press, starting the Printing Revolution.

February 6 – Brontë sisters send their poems to a publisher, 1846

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë published the book using the male pseudonyms: Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.

February 7 – Charles Dickens is born, 1812

Regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian Era. The author of A Tale of Two Cities and Oliver Twist.

February 9 – Alice Walker’s birthday, 1944

The author of The Color Purple is the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.

February 9 – Read in the Bathtub Day

Reading a book while relaxing is the greatest enjoyment in life!

February 14 – International Book Giving Day

A worldwide volunteer initiative aimed at encouraging people to give a book to a child.

February 18 – Toni Morrison’s birthday, 1931

An American novelist and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. The author of Beloved and Song of Solomon.

February 22 – The first commercial audiobook is recorded, 1952

The record included five poems by Dylan Thomas and his holiday story A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

February 28 – Lemony Snicket is born, 1970

Daniel Handler (pen name: Lemony Snicket) is best known for his children’s books A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: An anthology of poems
Week 2: A contemporary Dickensian novel
Week 3: A full-cast audiobook
Week 4: A book by a foreign author

Did you know?

BiblioTech, the first ebook-only library, opened in Texas in 2013, with 10,000 titles, 45 iPads, and 40 laptops.

Quote

We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth. – John Lubbock

March

March 2 – Dr. Seuss is born, 1904

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was the author of children’s classics, including The Cat in the Hat.

March 4 – Sherlock Holmes gets his first case, 1881

As recorded by Dr. Watson in a first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet.

March 14 – The first mass-market ebook is published, 2000

Over 400,000 copies of Stephen King’s Riding the Bullet novella were downloaded in the first 24 hours.

March 19 – International Read to Me Day

Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world.

March 21 – World Poetry Day

UNESCO’s initiative to promote the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry.

March 25 – Tolkien Reading Day

The date is inspired by The Lord of the Rings. On this day, the Ring was destroyed, and Sauron was defeated.

March 31 – Alice for the iPad is released, 2010

One of the first books for iPad and a breathtaking interactive version of the classic tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

March 31 – The first part of The Pickwick Papers is published, 1836

Charles Dickens’ first novel was published in 19 installments, highly contributing to the success of serialized fiction.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: One of the Sherlock Holmes stories
Week 2: A collection of poems
Week 3: A book set in the near future
Week 4: A book recommended by a friend

Did you know?

John Steinbeck’s dog named Toby ate the original manuscript for Of Mice and Men. The dog, quite literally, chewed up half of the only manuscript of the classic.

Quote

Reading makes a full man. – Francis Bacon

April

April 1 – The beginning of Hay-on-Wye book town, 1977

Richard Booth proclaimed the town an “independent kingdom,” which sparked a surge in interest in local bookshops.

April 2 – International Children’s Book Day

The day is observed on the birthdate of Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author best known for his fairy tales.

April 4 – The day George Orwell’s 1984 starts

On this day, the main character of Orwell’s classic novel started a secret diary by writing a sentence “Down with Big Brother.”

April 6 – The Little Prince is published, 1943

A novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry became one of the most influential books of the 20th century.

April 23 – William Shakespeare is born, 1564

The greatest writer in the English language created almost 40 plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth.

April 23 – World Book and Copyright Day

An annual event by UNESCO to discuss publishing and copyright, as well as promote the enjoyment of reading.

April 24 – The Library of Congress is founded, 1800

The largest library in the world. Its collection is growing at about two million items per year.

April 28 – Harper Lee’s birthday, 1926

An American novelist best known for her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: Your favorite childhood book
Week 2: A book with a number in its title
Week 3: A book about a prince or princess
Week 4: A book set in medieval England

Did you know?

A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading for just 6 minutes can help reduce stress by up to 68%.

Quote

If you wish to renew your mind, read. – Lailah Gifty Akita

May – Get Caught Reading Month

May 1 – Joseph Heller’s birthday, 1923

An American author of novels, short stories, and plays, best known for Catch-22 anti-war satire.

May 2 – International Harry Potter Day

On this day, the Battle of Hogwarts was fought.

May 3 – World Press Day

Celebrating the freedom of expression and raising awareness of the importance of the free press.

May 12 – The Internet Archive is founded, 1996

It’s the largest digital library, providing free access to well over 30 million books, as well as millions of video, audio, and image files.

May 17 – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is published, 1900

Written by L. Frank Baum, this children’s novel is one of the best known stories in American literature.

May 22 – Arthur Conan Doyle is born, 1859

A British writer and the creator of the Sherlock Holmes stories, regarded as milestones in crime fiction.

May 26 – World Dracula Day

Lovers of literature and vampires celebrate the publication of Bram Stoker’s Dracula on this day, in 1897.

May 30 – The word “audiobook” becomes official, 1997

The Audio Publishers Association officially adopted the word ”audiobook” to describe all non-music recordings.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A humorous or absurdist novel
Week 2: A detective story
Week 3: A book with a castle shown on its cover
Week 4: A steampunk book

Did you know?

The first ever spoken-word sound recording took place in 1877. Thomas Edison recorded “Mary Had a Little Lamb” nursery rhyme on his newly invented phonograph. The machine played his words back!

Quote

I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once. – C.S. Lewis

June

June 9 – The premiere of Jurassic Park movie, 1993

Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, and directed by Steven Spielberg, it’s one of the most successful movie adaptations of books.

June 9 – Dickens House Museum opens, 1925

Charles Dickens lived at 48 Doughty Street, London, with his wife and three of their ten children.

June 11 – Dickens completes writing Great Expectations, 1861

The novel was then published in three volumes that reflected the stages of expectations of the main character, a young Pip.

June 13 – A day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, 1923

The best guess when all the action of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway takes place.

June 16 – An idea for Frankenstein is born, 1816

Mary Shelley came up with the idea for the novel in a waking dream during a ghastly summer on Lake Geneva.

June 21 – Andrzej Sapkowski is born, 1948

Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy books from The Witcher series were adapted into popular video games, graphic novels, and TV series.

June 26 – The first Harry Potter book is published, 1997

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has been translated to more than 70 languages.

June 30 – The first issue of Action Comics magazine, 1938

The anthology, featuring the first appearance of Superman, begun The Golden Age of comic books.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book that inspired a movie
Week 2: A book with a female as a main character
Week 3: A book about a monster
Week 4: A comic book

Did you know?

Thanks to a clever binding, a German religious book from the 16th century can be read in six different ways and contains six different texts.

Quote

The book you don’t read won’t help. – Jim Rohn

July

July 1 – The British Library is founded, 1973

The UK’s national library was created from several organizations, including the British Museum.

July 3 – Franz Kafka’s birthday, 1883

The author of The Trial and The Castle is regarded as one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

July 4 – The world’s #1 ebook is created, 1971

Michael Stern Hart transcribed the text of the U.S. Declaration of Independence into Xerox Sigma V computer.

July 11 – The first Reading Rainbow episode, 1983

The iconic show hosted by LeVar Burton was designed to encourage the love of books among children.

July 16 – The Catcher in the Rye is published, 1951

The main character of this iconic novel by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield, became an icon for teenage rebellion.

July 21 – Ernest Hemingway is born, 1899

An American novelist and the author of The Sun Also Rises.

July 30 – First Penguin paperback books, 1935

These inexpensive books revolutionized publishing. The “Original 10” batch included books by Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway.

July 31 – Harry Potter is born, 1980

Harry Potter shares the birthdate with his creator, J.K. Rowling, who was born in 1965.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: One of this year’s beach reads
Week 2: A book with a teenage as a main character
Week 3: A classic Penguin title
Week 4: A book with a title consisting of one word

Did you know?

In 1972, a literary magazine in communist Poland published a short story titled “Harry Potter.” The author, Jan Rostworowski, was a Polish writer and poet who spent twenty-eight years in Great Britain.

Quote

There is no friend as loyal as a book. – Ernest Hemingway

August

August 1 – Peter Pan’s first appearance, 1902

A famous literary character created by J.M. Barrie appeared in The Little White Bird novel, serialized in Scribner’s Magazine.

August 1 – Herman Melville is born, 1819

An American novelist, short story writer, and poet. The author of Moby-Dick.

August 9 – Book Lovers Day

An unofficial holiday observed to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature.

August 10 – The Digital Bookmobile starts operating, 2008

The world’s first bookmobile dedicated to ebooks and audiobooks was launched in Central Park, NY.

August 10 – Suzanne Collins is born, 1962

She began her career as a writer for children’s television shows, but she’s best known for The Hunger Games series.

August 14 – Shakespeare and Co. opens in Paris, 1951

The world’s most iconic bookshop was founded by George Whitman. It was first called “Le Mistral.”

August 17 – Lois Lane’s birthday

A popular character from DC Comics publications is a Pulitzer Prize journalist who writes for the Daily Planet.

August 20 – H.P. Lovecraft is born, 1890

A popular science-fiction and horror writer best known for The Call of Cthulhu short story.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book you can read in one sitting
Week 2: A recently released mystery novel
Week 3: A book set in France
Week 4: A book about a dangerous contest

Did you know?

The first bookmobile in the world was launched in 1857 in Great Britain. It was a horse-drawn wagon with bookshelves mounted on the outside.

Quote

I read for pleasure and that is the moment I learn the most. – Margaret Atwood

September – Library Card Sign-up Month

September 6 – Read a Book Day

An annual event to celebrate the joy of reading and get young people interested in books.

September 8 – International Literacy Day

Events are held across the world to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals and communities.

September 9 – Leo Tolstoy’s birthday, 1828

A master of realistic fiction, and one of the world’s greatest novelists. The author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

September 13 – Roald Dahl is born, 1916

A British novelist and poet. The author of popular children’s books: Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

September 15 – Agatha Christie’s birthday, 1890

An English novelist and playwright, best known for her works starring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple detectives.

September 17 – Oprah’s Book Club starts, 1996

The first book selected for The Oprah Winfrey Show was Jacquelyn Mitchard’s The Deep End of the Ocean.

September 20 – George R.R. Martin is born, 1948

An American novelist best known for his epic Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, including A Game of Thrones.

September 25 – Comic Book Day

Fans, collectors, readers, and artists come together to celebrate the joy of reading comic books.

September 30 – International Translation Day

The date of the feast of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators, is an opportunity to pay tribute to language professionals.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book you can finish in one day
Week 2: A book with a librarian as one of the characters
Week 3: A fantasy novel
Week 4: A book recommended by online book clubs

Did you know?

Portuguese library Biblioteca Joanina is home to a swarm of bats that feed on book-eating insects every night.

Quote

There is no problem that a library card can’t solve. – Eleanor Brown

October

October 1 – The first book-to-movie adaptation, 1899

A French film director, Georges Méliès, released Cinderella, a 6-minute movie based on Charles Perrault’s fairly tale.

October 6 – American Library Association is founded, 1876

ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world. It promotes libraries and library education not only in the U.S. but also internationally.

October 12 – The New York Times Book Best Seller list #1, 1931

This superior list of book bestsellers started with five fiction and four non-fiction books for New York City only.

October 14 – Winnie-the-Pooh is published, 1926

The world’s favorite children’s book by author A.A. Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard became an instant bestseller.

October 16 – Oscar Wilde’s birthday, 1854

A controversial Irish poet and playwright, best known for his epigrams, plays, and a novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

October 19 – Fahrenheit 451 is released, 1953

Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel paints a future where books are outlawed and firemen burn any that are found.

October 28 – Gulliver’s Travels published, 1726

It’s the most famous work of Jonathan Swift, who is considered the foremost prose satirist in the English language.

October 30 – The War of the Worlds is aired, 1938

This legendary radio drama was based on a novel by H.G. Wells. Narrated by Orson Welles, it caused panic among its listeners.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book becoming a movie this year
Week 2: A book borrowed from a library
Week 3: A current book bestseller
Week 4: A book about an alien invasion

Did you know?

The longest-ever book title consists of over 3,700 words and 26,000 characters.

Quote

A good book is an empathy engine. – Chris Riddell

November – National Novel Writing Month

November 8 – The Book Thief in cinemas, 2013

The movie is based on a novel by Markus Zusak. It received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.

November 13 – Robert Louis Stevenson is born, 1850

A Scottish novelist and travel writer. The author of Treasure Island.

November 14 – Treasure Island is published, 1883

This highly popular adventure novel significantly influenced the way pirates are portrayed in popular culture.

November 14 – Astrid Lindgren’s birthday, 1907

A Swedish writer best known for Pippi Longstocking.

November 15-30 – The final voting in Goodreads Choice Awards

It’s the only major book award decided by readers. The final round of voting usually takes place in the second half of the month.

November 19 – The First Kindle is launched, 2007

Kindle 1 had an asymmetric shape, full-size keyboard, and 6-inch E-Ink display. It was sold out in 5.5 hours.

November 29 – C.S. Lewis is born, 1898

The author of The Chronicles of Narnia and a close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien.

November 30 – Mark Twain’s birthday, 1835

The real name of the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book about a treasure
Week 2: A Goodreads Choice Awards nominee
Week 3: A book you know nothing about
Week 4: A book from an author publishing under a pseudonym

Did you know?

The first electronic spell checker, Spelling Ace SA-88, was launched in 1986 by Franklin Computer.

Quote

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island. – Walt Disney

December

December 2 – The First edition of Argosy pulp magazine, 1882

Inexpensive pulp magazines and books were one of the primary forms of entertainment.

December 10 – The Nobel Prize in Literature Ceremony Night

The Nobel Prize award ceremony is held on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

December 10 – Emily Dickinson is born, 1830

A prolific writer regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry. During her lifetime, she wrote nearly 1,800 poems.

December 10 – The first Encyclopædia Britannica is published, 1768

With the first part of the first edition being published in 1768, it’s the longest running English-language encyclopaedia.

December 10 – Melvil Dewey’s birthday, 1851

An influential American educator and librarian. The inventor of the modern system of library classification.

December 16 – Jane Austen is born, 1775

One of the world’s most beloved writers. The author of Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Emma.

December 21 – The journey ends in Around the World in 80 Days, 1872

In Jules Verne’s famous adventure novel, the main character accepted a wager to circumnavigate the world in 80 days.

December 21 – Short Story Day

An annual event that celebrates short fiction takes place during the shortest day of the year.

Reading Challenge

Week 1: A book by a Nobel Prize winner
Week 2: A book about a long journey
Week 3: A collection of short stories
Week 4: A romance novel

Did you know?

Written in AD 123, Chariton’s “Chaereas & Callirhoë” is the oldest existing novel in the world.

Quote

An hour spent reading is one stolen from paradise. – Thomas Wharton

Keep exploring. Here are other popular lists:

The design of these vintage-style book quotes was inspired by title pages from 18th-century books.

One may say that, when it comes to book quotes, everything has been done.

All most interesting book and library quotes have been already discovered, and many book lovers know them by heart.

What’s more, the quotes have been visualized in numerous ways, making them easy to share in social media.

Most of the designs share the same style: cozy and somehow messy. They mix font faces and styles with bright colors, and fill the entire space. As a result, you see something that may be too overwhelming.

On the other side, it’s surprising that the iconic book design of 17th, 18th, or 19th century has not yet been picked as a style inspiration. It’s so beautiful, and – what’s most important – so very bookish!

That’s why I have decided to pick up some of my book quotes and design them in the vintage style of 18th century book titles, with a spacy layout, a decent use of ornaments, and the classic Baskerville font face as a style hero.

The quotes are available in my idea pool at Geek Updated. You can also find them on over 70 products in my Redbubble, Zazzle, and Society6 stores.

[ef-reco id=”140890″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]

Original vintage-style book quotes

1

Life is like a novel, with you being both its author and main character.

2

Reading is an act of selfless help to oneself.

3

My brain is proudly powered by books.

4

Movies are the keyhole. Books are the key.

5

Life is lighter with a heavy bookshelf.

6

I see a book, I see a coffee, I see a good day ahead.

7

A book is not an escape from life, but a shortcut to a better one.

8

A book is a first-aid box for the mind.

Vintage book quotes on Redbubble

All the designs are available in my Redbubble shop light or dark color. You can get them printed on over 70 products, both apparel and home decor, naming only essential t-shirts, throw pillows, laptop sleeves, phone cases, or stationery.

Redbubble is a leading online marketplace for print-on-demand products, offering artwork uploaded by over 700,000 artists from around the world.

⇢ Redbubble

Don’t stop exploring. Here are other gift lists:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”gifts”]

Another brilliant cartoon by John Atkinson!

More cartoons to check out:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”cartoons”]

From Common Sense, a leading online source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families, comes a wonderful visual that lists reasons why, in our rapidly changing world, libraries and librarians matter more than ever before.

Via Kristin Plue on Twitter.

Interested in more pics and images about books and libraries? Take a look:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”pictures”]

From Ella Frances Sanders come wonderful illustrations that present untranslatable words from around the world.

These brilliant images are worth sharing not only for World Book Day or International Translation Day.

The selection you will see below was first published by a writer and illustrator Ella Frances Sanders on Maptia collaborative platform for artists back in 2013 and are still available on her personal blog.

Did you know that there is a word in Urdu which describes the feeling of disbelief that can usually occur through good storytelling? Or a special Japanese word to describe the interplay between sunlight and leaves?

These 11 visuals are worth hanging on a wall. You can buy them in Ella Sanders’ web store. They are available in four sizes, and are printed on warm-toned Hahnemühle Bamboo 290 gsm paper.

Even better, you should take a look at the book Lost in Translation, which collect not 11 but over 50 unique, funny and poignant foreign words that have no direct English equivalent.

In this clever and beautifully rendered exploration of the subtleties of communication, you’ll find new ways to express yourself while getting lost in the artistry of imperfect translation.

Maybe I’m pochemuchka, but which of these words are you going to use? My favorites are “iktsuarpok” and “waldeinsamkeit.”

11 words with no direct English translation, visualized by Ella Frances Sanders

1

Goya (Urdu) – the transporting suspension of disbelief that can occur, often through good storytelling.

2

Mångata (Swedish) – the road-like reflection that the moon creates on water.

3

Sobremesa (Spanish) – the time spent after lunch or dinner, talking to the people you have shared the meal with.

4

Pochemuchka (Russian) – someone who asks a lot of questions.

5

Komorebi (Japanese) – sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees.

6

Culaccino (Italian) – the mark left on a table by a cold glass.

7

Iktsuarpok (Inuit) – a feeling of anticipation that leads you to go outside and check if anyone is coming.

8

Jayus (Indonesian) – a joke told so poorly and that is so unfunny that one can’t help but laugh out loud.

9

Pana Poʻo (Hawaiian) – the act of scratching your head in order to help you remember something you have forgotten.

10

Waldeinsamkeit (German) – a feeling of solitude, being alone in the woods and a connectedness to the nature.

11

Dépaysement (French) – the feeling that comes from not being in one’s home country, of being a foreigner or an immigrant.

Via Appo High School Library.

Keep exploring. Here are other lists for book lovers:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”lists”]

Look how The Three Musketeers, Romeo and Juliet, or The Brothers Karamazov would look like if they were written in a time when self-isolation and social distancing were a forced way of living.

The coronavirus pandemic dramatically changes they way we live and work. It forces us to rethink our priorities and plans for the future.

How our world would look like if social distancing replaced social interactions? Dozens of ideas appeared on the web, most of them are clever and funny modifications of well-known visuals: iconic photos or classic paintings.

I asked myself a different question: how would books like if their authors were living in a time when self-isolation and social distancing were something common?

Take a look at some visuals below. Would you imagine Romeo and Juliet stripped from interactions between the main characters? Two separate and, most probably, much more boring worlds instead of one that’s full of tensions and emotions?

When designing the visuals, I realized that they, in fact, help promote reading books. Reach for Romeo and Juliet or The Brothers Karamazov in their original form and enjoy them to the fullest!

[ef-reco id=”144421″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]

Famous books rewritten for a time of social distancing

1

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

2

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

3

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Keep exploring. Here are other projects created by the team at Ebook Friendly:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”original-projects”]

Looking for best ways to spend quality time at home? Make a dish or beverage that’s inspired by your favorite book!

If you still can’t leave home and read all the books from your reading list already – but would love to stay in wonderful fictional worlds – try something refreshing: make a meal and beverage from your favorite book by yourself.

Instead of getting a recipe from a website (and there are many of them already), we are excited to share with you the recipes that are beautifully drawn and present at a glance both the ingredients and steps to go.

You will find below, among others, the tips on how to make butterbeer, pepparkakor, frobscottle, and lembas bread.

These literary recipes were published back in 2018 by an online financial resource center Quid Corner. Unfortunately, the site’s content is no longer available. You can, however, use Wayback Machine to read the archived post accompanying the lovely infographics.

[ef-reco id=”144702″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]

How to make 7 most famous dishes and beverages from books

1. Porridge from Oliver Twist

This recipe is for two or three persons, and includes two types of oats, plus a sweet topping from maple syrup. “

2. Pepparkakor from Pippi Longstocking

Pepparkakor (gingersnaps) are typical Swedish ginger cookies. They are traditionally baked for Christmas, but you can make them anytime you want to bring your family together.

3. Lembas bread from The Lord of the Rings

Lembas bread is a perfect travel food, but it also works well if you can’t leave home for longer than usual. It stays fresh and tasty for several weeks, but, most importantly, it’s extremely nutritious.

4. Frobscottle from The BFG

Frobscottle is a green-colored fizzy drink, where the bubbles go down instead of up. I can only be found in Giant Country, as described by Roald Dahl in The Big Friendly Giant. Well, from now on, it can also be found at your home. The recipe is designed to make four family members happy.

5. Clam chowder from Moby-Dick

The entire Chapter 15 of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick is devoted to this delicious chowder. It takes some time to prepare it, but it’s worth waiting!

However, a warm savory steam from the kitchen served to belie the apparently cheerless prospect before us. But when that smoking chowder came in, the mystery was delightfully explained.

6. Caraway seed cake from Jane Eyre

Seed cakes are traditional British cakes flavored with caraway or other flavorful seeds. But one of them is special – the one described by Charlotte Brontë in Jane Eyre. This Victorian recipe is not too sweet and tastes delicious with a cup of tea.

7. Butterbeer from Harry Potter

Butterbeer has been described already so many times that you probably know the recipe by heart. Preparing the butterbeer is not easy, though. Use the wizarding recipe above to achieve the genuine taste that’s “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch.”

Via Flavorful World.

Keep exploring. Here are other lists our readers lovee:

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Take a look at “Keep Calm” meme images rewritten for the times of coronavirus. Feel free to share them with your friends and followers.

We have heard you. Following the Wash Your Hands series, we have prepared a set of images that relate to the famous “keep calm” meme by replacing the original text by “stay home.”

Many people find being locked down at home extremely difficult. However, many people realize they have finally enough time to read books.

You can start re-reading The Plague by Albert Camus to find answers to existential questions that appear out of nowhere. Or you can discover other novels about plagues and virus outbreaks.

Or you can do thousands of other things at home. You will never bet bored as long as you use 1% of your imagination.

The images you see below are free to share. You can publish them on your blog, post to Facebook and Twitter, or pin to your Pinterest board.

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“Stay Home and Keep Calm” images to share

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Stay home and keep calm.

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Stay home and read a book.

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Stay home and write a book.

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Stay home and study on.

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Stay home and borrow an ebook.

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Stay home and listen to audiobooks.

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Stay home and read together.

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Stay home and keep learning.

Keep exploring. Here are other projects created by the team at Ebook Friendly:

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Here are the “Keep Calm and Read Books” images for the times of pandemic. Feel free to share them with your friends and followers.

What are the most effective protective measures against the new coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2?

World Health Organization recommendations are clear: wash your hands frequently and thoroughly; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; stay at home and maintain social distancing.

Washing your hands can effectively prevent you from getting infected. It’s like the new “keep calm.” That’s why we have created a series of posters with the original wording being replaced by “wash your hands.”

Feel free to share the images with your friends and followers. You can publish them on your blog, post to Facebook and Twitter, or pin to your Pinterest board.

[ef-reco id=”144421″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]

“Wash Your Hands and Read Books” images – full list

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Wash your hands and keep calm.

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Wash your hands and read books.

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Wash your hands and drink coffee.

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Wash your hands and carry on.

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Wash your hands and eat cookies.

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Wash your hands and stay positive.

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Wash your hands and test negative.

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Wash your hands and read to your kids.

Check out other projects created by the team at Ebook Friendly:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”original-projects”]