Have you read the 30 World Book Night books?

Today, or make that tonight, the U.S. celebrates its first World Book Night. Even Dahlonega is throwing a World Book Night party, hosted by the Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dahlonega Chick-Fil-A.

On the official World Book Night web site, 30 books are listed as must-reads. After a quick look at the list, to my surprise, the list wasn't filled with books by Shakespeare or Tolstoy. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Michael Connelly's Blood Games were on the list, but so were Maya Angelous' I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany (which just happens to be a D&B all-time favorite read.)

One thing for sure. We've got a lot of reading to do to check off all the books on the World Book Night list. How many have you read?

Where will you be on World Book Night?

If you love reading, then you'll want to be part of World Book Night, a celebration of reading and books taking place across the U.S. on April 23, the official World Book Night.

This is the first year that World Book Night, which originated in the U.K., will be celebrated in the U.S. Supporting this event are such corporate entities as Barnes and Noble, Ingram, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Random House, UPS, International Paper, Scholastic and more.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to celebrate reading on this night of books, according to organizers. Here in Dahlonega, the celebration is sponsored by the Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition and local Chick-Fil-A restaurant.

Part of Chick-Fil-A's Family Night Series, the Dahlonega World Book Night will be an opportunity to showcase the work the LCLC does to promote literacy and the importance of reading. The Dahlonega World Book event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Chick-Fil-A on Morrison Moore Parkway.

FYI... April 23 is not just any random date for book lovers. That day just happens to be the date of William Shakespeare’s and famed Spanish writer Cervantes' deaths.

Best Of Dahlonega & Beyond - Our Take 2

In the spirit of Dahlonega's Nugget's 2011 BEST OF contest, Dahlonega and Beyond has a few more of our own Best OF recommendations.

• Best Dog - Hands down Nugget wins Best Dog award. Not only did she live for years at the Golden Pantry, but she's captured the hearts of thousands throughout Lumpkin and the world over. Nugget even has her own Facebook page.
• Best Museum - Since this is Dahlonega and Beyond, our vote for best area museum is the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville. The exhibits there trace NASCAR from its moonshine running days to Dawsonville's Bill Elliott's racing career and beyond.
• Best Ga. NASCAR Eating Experience - The Dawsonville Pool Room is a must-eat-at spot. Filled with Georgia racing memorial, the restaurant/diner serves a great Bully Burger and has daily Meat and Two specials.
• Best Hotel - While we were house hunting, we stayed several times at The Park Place Hotel  in downtown Dahlonega. Each suite is unique, you get a bottle of wine when you check in, and it has a patio on the square that's a fun place for people watching. 
• Best Local Park - The Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega is a perfect spot for picnics, for the children to play in the creek, and for short hikes or walks.
• Best Spelling Bee - That's the Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition's annual adult spelling bee. Lots of laughs as adults try spelling such words as ailurophile, equinoctial and horripilation.

We'll be posting more Best Of awards. Stay tuned.