As its website describes it: “World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which will see tens of thousands of people share books with others in their communities across America to spread the joy and love of reading on April 23.” Hey, that’s Monday!

World Book Night was founded in the United Kingdom in 2011 and spreads to include the U.S. this year. A bunch of publishers are behind it. The way I understand it, you can walk into a participating merchant and get a book from this list of 30 for free.

Rhino Records in Claremont will have multiple copies of Patti Smith’s “Just Kids,” and will also be playing her records all day. It also has (I think) one copy each of the other books two boxes of random books to choose from. Just walk in and ask.

Claremont Forum is also participating. I don’t know if anyone else is. Mrs. Nelson’s in La Verne? Barnes & Noble in Rancho Cucamonga and Montclair?