World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books through enlightening discussion.

Trentham librarian Liz Wells, who organised the event, said reading for pleasure is a globally recognised indicator in a huge range of social issues from poverty to mental health.

Residents are invited to attend not just for the festivities but also to see everything the library has to offer.

“We encourage those who don’t regularly read to attend, share supper with us, enjoy hearing about a brand new book by a local author, and take home a couple of books to keep,” Ms Wells said.

In England, where World Book Night was founded, 2015 statistics from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport highlighted that 36% of people did not regularly read for pleasure.

In Australia, data from the Roy Morgan Single Source from the same year suggested that young Australians were picking up books more often but that the rate of adult readers was declining.

The research showed 60.9% of women would read at least one fictional novel in a three month period while only 41.3% of men would read a fictional novel in the same time frame.

The evening will kick off with supper at 6pm followed by a presentation from local author Lucy Mayes at 6.30pm.

Inspired by her doctor husband, Mayes researched and wrote her non-fiction novel Beyond the Stethoscope as a means to take readers behind the scenes of the highly stressful profession.

The book explores the increasing stresses doctors face and the toll it can take on their own health. 

At the conclusion of the event, attendees will be able to choose two or three books, which have been removed from the library’s collection, to take home, keep and enjoy.

The titles include a variety of fiction, non-fiction and children’s titles.

Although the event is free, bookings are essential.

Bookings can be made in person at Trentham library or by phone on 5424 1326.