It is the perfect occasion to start a new book, just as all of these people did in South Tyneside’s past.
Enjoy a gallery of photo memories from the Shields Gazette archives, stretching from Guides and Rangers enjoying a new chapter in 1968 to a cuppa and a book reading session at Costa in 2017.
In case you missed it;
9. A chapter from 2013
Isla and Dylan Bennett settled down for a spot of quiet reading at South Shields Library in 2013, on the day Dr Who characters paid a visit. | sg
10. Storytots fun in 2013
Boldon Lane Library branch supervisor Elaine McCulloch reads with youngster James Ball at a Storytots session in January 2013. | sg
11. Happy reading at Hadrian Primary
The national Book Time scheme encouraged children to read in 2014. Hadrian Primary School reception class got involved and got support from Cllr Alan Kerr and librarian Clare Craig | sg
12. Playing their part at Marine Park Primary
Pupils from Marine Park Primary School pledged to read as part of a national bid to set a record for the most books read in 2015. Here are the pupils pictured as they placed their reading pledges in the box at the Central Library. | sg