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Amy Poehler named honorary chairperson for World Book Night

"I grew up loving books," Poehler said. "It's more important than ever to know how it feels to have a good book in your hands."

By Annie Martin
Actress Amy Poehler attends the Trevor Live event honoring Lady Gaga and Google Inc. at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on December 4, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen
1 of 5 | Actress Amy Poehler attends the Trevor Live event honoring Lady Gaga and Google Inc. at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on December 4, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

Amy Poehler will take part in this year's World Book Night as the event's honorary chairperson.

The Parks and Recreation star will join a coalition of publishers, bookseller, librarians and 25,000 volunteers to give away 500,000 books on April 23. The event is in its third year and targets areas where books are not as prevalent.

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"I grew up loving books," Poehler recalled. "In today's digital world, it's more important than ever to know how it feels to have a good book in your hands."

"I'm thrilled to be part of World Book Night," the actress continued. "People who read are people who dream, and we connect through the stories we live and tell and read."

The event's executive director, Carl Lennertz, is equally happy to have Poehler on board. "This news is the icing, cherry and candles on the year three WBN cake," the director said. "Amy Poehler joining our cause is a happy, happy event... we say thank you."

Lennertz said this year's World Book Night will feature a seven-author New York Public Library launch event, and that a record number of librarians and booksellers will participate.

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The director and other participants choose a number of special paperback edition titles to give away each year. This year includes Malcom Gladwell's The Tipping Point, Carl Hiaasen's Hoot, and Solomon Northrup's 12 Years a Slave.

World Book Night will take place at various locations around the country and across the world on April 23. Other activities will happen in the week leading up to the event.

[USA Today] [World Book Night]

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