World Book Day, or World Book and Copyright Day, is a annual event celebrated on April 23 and organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to promote reading, publishing and copyright.

The connection between April 23 and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia as a way to honor author Miguel de Cervantes, who died on that day. In 1995 UNESCO decided that World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on that date which is also the anniversary of the death of celebrated English playwright William Shakespeare.

A wide range of unusual libraries around the globe offer bibliophiles a feeling of freshness, attraction and vitality as they read.

People read at the Li Yuan bookstore, in Huairou district, Beijing in this photo taken on July 11,2012. It appears to be the most romantic bookstore in the city, covering an area of 170 square meters. Total investment was more than 1.6 million yuan ($258,218).  [Photo/IC]