National Author's Day Celebrated with Top Amazon Bestsellers and Reading Essentials

National Author's Day, observed annually on November 1, honors the writers who craft the stories that captivate readers. The observance, which originated in 1928 with Illinois teacher Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1949. The day also coincides with the start of National Novel Writing Month, a challenge for aspiring authors to complete a 50,000-word novel within November.

This year's celebrations can include exploring Amazon's bestseller list, revisiting beloved novels, or discovering new literary works. Among the current top sellers is Sarah J. Maas's latest installment in the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series, "A Court of Splintered Harmony," which quickly climbed to No. 1 on Amazon's Kindle and Audible charts following its October 27 release. This book serves as a prelude to the series' seventh installment, expected in January 2027.

Another popular title is Allen Levi's "Theo of Golden," currently holding the No. 5 spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The novel tells the story of a mysterious stranger who arrives in a Southern town and collects portraits, prompting him to listen to the subjects' personal narratives, exploring themes of human connection.

For those seeking lighter fare, "The Pumpkin Spice Café" by Laurie Gilmore offers a cozy romance set in the fictional town of Dream Harbor. The story follows Jeanie as she takes over her aunt's café and navigates a budding romance with a local farmer. It is the first book in the viral Dream Harbor series.

To enhance the reading experience, several reading essentials are highlighted. The Kobo Libra Colour e-reader features a seven-inch color display, physical page-turn buttons, adjustable lighting, and 32 GB of storage. It also supports annotation with the Kobo Stylus 2 and is waterproof.

For portable reading, a bendable rechargeable book light offers hands-free illumination with adjustable color temperatures and brightness settings. It is USB-C rechargeable and boasts up to 80 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Children can engage with stories through the Yoto Player, 4th Gen. This screen-free audio device allows kids aged 3 and up to listen to audiobooks, music, and podcasts via Yoto Cards or playlists. It includes stereo sound and a dual-purpose night light and alarm clock.

An Audible membership provides access to a vast library of audiobooks, suitable for commuters or multitaskers. Recent releases include a new cast recording of "Bram Stoker's Dracula."

Comfort is also key for dedicated readers. A plush reading pillow with an angled backrest, removable headrest, and armrests can transform a bed into a cozy reading nook. For a more permanent setup, the Bolton Wide swivel armchair, upholstered in bouclé fabric, offers a stylish and comfortable seating option, available in six colors and praised by reviewers for its comfort and quality.

Finally, for readers who enjoy annotating their books, Levenger's copper page nibs offer a set of 50 slim, reusable markers that clip onto pages, allowing for easy marking of passages without damaging the book.