August 9 is a weirdly specific day. Most people wake up, check their phones, and realize they’re in the dog days of summer without much of a plan. But if you’re a bibliophile or someone who unironically enjoys a creamy, cinnamon-dusted dessert, this date is actually kind of a big deal.
National Book Lovers Day is the heavy hitter here.
It isn’t some federal holiday where the banks close or the mail stops. Honestly, it’s better than that. It’s a collective excuse to ignore your "unread" Slack messages, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and finally finish that thriller gathering dust on your nightstand. It’s a day for people who smell old paper and feel a dopamine hit.
But August 9 isn't a one-trick pony. While you’re reading, you’re apparently supposed to be eating. It’s also National Rice Pudding Day. Yes, really.
Why National Book Lovers Day Is More Than Just a Hashtag
We live in a world that’s constantly screaming for our attention. TikTok, 24-hour news cycles, the endless scroll—it’s exhausting. National Book Lovers Day exists as a counter-culture movement against the digital noise.
You’ve probably seen the stats. The American Time Use Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown a fluctuating trend in leisure reading over the last decade. Some years it’s up; some years it’s down. But the "vibe" of reading has shifted. BookTok and Bookstagram have turned a solitary act into a social one.
When you ask what national day is August 9, you’re tapping into a community. It’s about the tactile experience. Hardcovers, paperbacks, even the glow of an E-reader (though the purists will fight you on that).
The mysterious origins of the day
Here’s the thing: nobody actually knows who started National Book Lovers Day. We tried to find the "founder," and it just doesn't exist in the official records. It likely bubbled up from the early days of the internet, fueled by librarians and independent bookstore owners who wanted a summer boost. Unlike something like "National Donut Day," which has ties to the Salvation Army in the 1930s, Book Lovers Day is a grassroots phenomenon. It’s a holiday by the people, for the people.
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Supporting the "Indies"
If you’re looking for a way to actually participate, skip the massive online retailers. Go to your local independent bookstore. These places are the lungs of a community. According to the American Booksellers Association, the number of independent bookstores has actually been growing recently, defying the "retail apocalypse" narrative.
Why? Because you can’t get a recommendation from a human being on an algorithm. You can’t smell the coffee and the bindings. On August 9, many of these shops run "blind date with a book" promos—where they wrap a book in brown paper with only a few plot keywords on the front. It’s fun. It’s risky. It’s exactly what a holiday should be.
The Comfort Food Contender: National Rice Pudding Day
If books are the main course, rice pudding is the side dish you didn't know you needed.
Most people have a love-hate relationship with rice pudding. It’s a texture thing. But historically, this dish is a global powerhouse. You’ve got Arroz con leche in Latin America, Kheer in India, and the classic thick, vanilla-heavy version in the UK and US.
August 9 is the day to lean into the comfort. Rice pudding is basically one of the oldest desserts in human history. We’re talking ancient China and ancient India. It was originally used as a medicinal food for people with digestive issues because it’s easy on the stomach.
How to do it right
Don't buy the stuff in the plastic cup at the gas station. That's not a celebration.
- Use Arborio or short-grain rice. You want that starch.
- Whole milk is non-negotiable.
- Don't skimp on the nutmeg.
- Patience. You can't rush the creaminess.
It's a slow food. Just like reading a long novel. See? There's a theme here. August 9 is about slowing down.
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The Serious Side: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
While the "National Day" calendar is full of food and hobbies, August 9 carries significant global weight too. The United Nations officially recognizes this as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
This was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1994. It marks the day of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
This isn't about pudding or paperbacks. It’s about rights, language preservation, and land sovereignty. There are over 476 million Indigenous people living across 90 countries. They make up less than 6% of the world's population but account for about 15% of the poorest.
Why this matters on August 9
If you're looking for what national day is August 9, you’ll find the lighthearted stuff, but the UN-recognized day provides a moment for education. Indigenous peoples are the guardians of the world's biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge is literally saving ecosystems.
Maybe the best way to bridge these two worlds? Use National Book Lovers Day to buy a book written by an Indigenous author. Check out Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass or Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman. It’s the perfect intersection of the day's various meanings.
Lesser-Known August 9 Observations
Because the internet loves to categorize everything, there are even more niche events happening on this date.
- National Veep Day: This commemorates the day in 1974 when Gerald Ford became President after Richard Nixon resigned. It’s a day to recognize the Vice President’s role, which is usually just "waiting around," but occasionally becomes the most important job in the world.
- National Hand Holding Day: This one is exactly what it sounds like. It’s wholesome. It’s simple. It’s about human connection.
- Smokey Bear’s Birthday: Technically, Smokey Bear was "born" on August 9, 1944. He’s the longest-running public service advertising campaign in US history. "Only you can prevent wildfires." Still true. Still iconic.
How to Celebrate August 9 Without Feeling Overwhelmed
You don’t have to do all of it. Honestly, trying to celebrate "National Hand Holding Day" while eating rice pudding and reading a 600-page book sounds like a recipe for a mess.
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Instead, pick one.
If you’re a reader: Set a timer for 30 minutes. No phone. No TV. Just the book. If you haven't been to a library in a while, go get a card. It's free. It's the only place left where you aren't expected to spend money to exist.
If you’re a foodie: Try a recipe you’ve never done before. Rice pudding is forgiving. Add some cardamom or orange zest. Make it weird.
If you’re an activist: Spend some time reading about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals regarding Indigenous rights. Look up the history of the land you’re currently standing on.
Making It Actionable
So, what should you actually do now that you know what national day is August 9?
Stop scrolling and pick up a physical book. It doesn't have to be "important" literature. It can be a trashy romance or a graphic novel. The goal is to re-engage your brain with long-form content.
If you want to support a cause, look into the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) or similar organizations that provide legal assistance to tribes.
And if all else fails? Just go get a cup of rice pudding and tell someone a fun fact about Smokey Bear. You’ll be the most interesting person in the room. Or at least the one with the best snacks.
Next Steps for Your August 9:
- Locate your nearest independent bookstore using the IndieBound tool.
- Check out a book by an Indigenous author like Tommy Orange or Joy Harjo.
- Clean out your bookshelves and donate what you won't read again to a Little Free Library.
- Make a batch of rice pudding—try the baked version for a different texture.
- Share a photo of your current read on social media to help boost the visibility of authors you love.