With International Literacy Day (September 8) around the corner, Dubai-based author & creative educator Purva Grover shares how one can celebrate the day with books, notebooks, stories, and more. Literacy is a blessing often taken for granted. Traditional reading is essential to our lives, even as we live in a digital world. On International Literacy Day, author Purva Grover, who works extensively with the youth and adults when it comes to creative thinking and education, aspires to encourage one and all to pick the habit of reading and writing as a life skill, a hobby, or a de-stressing activity. 

Here’s a list of five ways to celebrate the day, the words.

1. Visit a bookstore

Take time to visit Bookends, the homegrown bookstore & marketplace of pre-loved books, where the prices of books start from as low as AED 1! They offer books in more than 15 languages. And yes, there’s a cosy corner for you to grab a book and read whilst at the store. 

At: Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/bookendsae/

2. Join a book club

Towards the end of the month, bookworms can book in for A Night of SHE by author Purva Grover. SHE is a literary celebration of all things feminine, and guests will be invited to play a few SHE games as they read the book, SHE.

Know more: On Thursday, 28th September, 7.30 pm-9.30 pm, Mogao by Socialicious, Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/mogaodubai/

3. Bring home words as art pieces

Falling short of words? Then, Gift of Stories has got you covered, with their WORDY, quirky, colourful, and oh-so-me range of canvas prints, which will make one giggle, wonder, and more. Available in different sizes and colours, these canvases are perfect inclusions on room walls, hallways, and even studies and desks. 

Order: https://purva-grover.zbooni.com

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/giftofstories/

4. Attend a reading session

Join Dubai-based poetess Rashmi Kotriwala for a morning of poetry as she reads from her debut book of poetry in Hindi called KHAYALOON KE DARMIYAAN. The book is a collection of over 100 poems in the Hindustani language.

Know more: On Tuesday, September 13, 10.30-noon, Bookends Store, Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/rashk29/

5. Join the midnight prompt writing challenge

A writing prompt will be shared on author Purva Grover’s Instagram story @purvagr, at midnight from September 8 until September 16, to encourage one and all to get thinking. You don’t have to be an author or a poet to take part. Open to all amateur writers, thinkers, and more. Write a sentence, or paragraph, or go bigger. Entries will be shared on social media. 

Know more: Starting September 8, at midnight 

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/purvagr/