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Why World Book Day Matters

Did you know that World Book Day isn’t celebrated on the same date everywhere? In the UK, it’s marked on the first Thursday of March each year (this year – 6th of March), while globally, UNESCO recognises April 23rd as the official day. Regardless of which date you honour, the spirit remains the same—celebrating authors, books, and the readers who love them. Specifically, in the UK, by celebrating this day in March, kids get to have a special day at school to find new books, talk about reading, and dress up as theirs favourite characters from the books they read. From reducing stress to expanding empathy, reading can transform how we see ourselves and the world.

Interestingly:

• A 2009 University of Sussex study found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%—more effective than many other relaxation methods.

• Research in Science shows that reading literary fiction can boost our capacity for empathy, helping us better understand different perspectives.

Below, you’ll find six books I’ve loved—three focus on personal development, and three dive into emotional, character-driven stories. You might notice repeated authors, but each title offers unique topics and perspectives, giving you a range of insights and reading experiences.

1. Surrounded by Idiots

Author: Thomas Erikson

Genre: Nonfiction / Personal Development

What It’s About:

• Introduces four communication/personality types—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—and explains how these colour profiles can help you understand others.

• Blends humour with real-world scenarios to make psychology and interpersonal dynamics more accessible.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Better Communication: Ideal if you want to reduce misunderstandings at work or home.

• Fun & Accessible: Erikson’s style is straightforward, so you’ll pick up new skills without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Surrounded by Setbacks

Author: Thomas Erikson

Genre: Nonfiction / Personal Development

What It’s About:

• Focuses on resilience and overcoming life’s hurdles, using the same colour/personality framework from Surrounded by Idiots.

• Provides strategies for dealing with stress, disappointment, and adversity based on your personality type.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Motivational: Perfect if you feel stuck and need a roadmap for bouncing back.

• Practical Tips: Offers clear, actionable advice to help you tackle setbacks with confidence.

3. Overcoming Low Self-Esteem

Author: Melanie Fennell

Genre: Nonfiction / Psychology (CBT-Based)

What It’s About:

• A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) workbook that guides you through exercises to identify and challenge negative beliefs about yourself.

• Helps build a healthier self-image and boost overall mental well-being.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Evidence-Based: Great for anyone who wants a structured, research-backed approach to self-improvement.

• Action-Oriented: Contains worksheets and step-by-step activities, perfect if you enjoy a hands-on method.

4. It Ends with Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary Romance

What It’s About:

• Centers on Lily, a young woman dealing with a complicated relationship and confronting her family’s painful past.

• Tackles themes like domestic abuse, emotional resilience, and the difficult choices that define us.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Deeply Emotional: If you’re looking for a romance novel that explores real-world issues, this one’s for you.

• Empowering Message: Encourages readers to think about self-worth and the courage to make life-changing decisions.

5. It Starts with Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary Romance

What It’s About:

• Sequel to It Ends with Us, continuing Lily’s journey as she navigates new relationship challenges.

• Focuses on second chances, personal healing, and what healthy love looks like after trauma.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Sequel Satisfaction: A must-read if you loved Lily’s story and crave closure on her next steps.

• Hopeful Tone: Balances the emotional weight with a sense of optimism and growth.

6. All Your Perfects

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary Romance

What It’s About:

• Follows Quinn and Graham, a couple whose seemingly perfect marriage is tested by secrets, regrets, and personal challenges.

• Explores how love can survive, or even thrive, amid life’s imperfections and emotional turbulence.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Marriage & Second Chances: A raw look at the complexities of long-term relationships.

• Deeply Relatable: If you’ve ever questioned commitment or faced relationship hurdles, you’ll find a piece of yourself in these characters.

Bringing It All Together

While Thomas Erikson and Melanie Fennell dominate the personal development picks, each book tackles a different angle—from understanding personality types to overcoming adversity and building self-esteem. Meanwhile, Colleen Hoover’s trio offers distinct emotional journeys—focusing on abuse survival, personal healing and growth, and the ups and downs of marriage.

Whether you’re marking World Book Day on March 6th in the UK or April 23rd globally, these six books provide a blend of practical advice and heartfelt storytelling.

Celebrating World Book Day, Whenever It Falls

No matter which date you choose to celebrate, reading is always worth honouring. It can lower stress, deepen empathy, and spark personal transformation—perfect for the goals we set in life or the emotional stories we crave.

Question for You:

Which book intrigues you most? Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the joy of reading alive—on March 6th, April 23rd, and every day in between!

References & Book Links

Below are the sources cited and links to each book mentioned if you decide to purchase any of the books.

• World Book Day (UK) – Official Site (celebrated March 6th)

• World Book Day (Global) – UNESCO Official Site (April 23rd)

• Stress Reduction via Reading – University of Sussex, 2009

• Empathy & Literary Fiction – Kidd, D. C., & Castano, E. (2013). Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science, 342(6156), 377-380.

• Thomas Erikson – “Surrounded by Idiots”, “Surrounded by Setbacks”

• Melanie Fennell – “Overcoming Low Self-Esteem”

• Colleen Hoover – “It Ends with Us”, “It Starts with Us”, “All Your Perfects”

Here’s to finding your next great read—and celebrating the power of books—no matter the date!