diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.txt b/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
index af940d261..da7409fe4 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Engine features:
 * New mouse movment behavior. Click once to move the player to a target and, if applicable, interact with it.
 * Stats on the character page are now organized by categories: Core, Offense, Defense, and Misc.
 * Speed and Attack Speed are now able to be shown in the Character menu.
+* Events can now use 'book=close' to close the active book.
 * Android: Enabled use of external input devices (gamepads, keyboards, mice)
 
 Engine fixes:
diff --git a/docs/attribute-reference.html b/docs/attribute-reference.html
index a2f562d2d..6f098f76f 100644
--- a/docs/attribute-reference.html
+++ b/docs/attribute-reference.html
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ <h4>EventManager</h4>
 
 <p><strong>event.save_game</strong> | <code>bool</code> | If true, the game is saved when the event is triggered. The respawn position is set to where the player is standing.</p>
 
-<p><strong>event.book</strong> | <code>filename</code> | Opens a book by filename.</p>
+<p><strong>event.book</strong> | <code>["close", filename]</code> | Opens a book by filename. 'close' can be used in place of the filename to close an already open book.</p>
 
 <p><strong>event.script</strong> | <code>filename</code> | Loads and executes an Event from a file.</p>
 
diff --git a/src/EventManager.cpp b/src/EventManager.cpp
index 5f38105c2..3ba9b19b7 100644
--- a/src/EventManager.cpp
+++ b/src/EventManager.cpp
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ bool EventManager::loadEventComponentString(std::string &key, std::string &val,
 		e->data[0].Bool = Parse::toBool(val);
 	}
 	else if (key == "book") {
-		// @ATTR event.book|filename|Opens a book by filename.
+		// @ATTR event.book|["close", filename]|Opens a book by filename. 'close' can be used in place of the filename to close an already open book.
 		e->type = EventComponent::BOOK;
 
 		e->s = val;
diff --git a/src/GameStatePlay.cpp b/src/GameStatePlay.cpp
index e2878122a..62887581d 100644
--- a/src/GameStatePlay.cpp
+++ b/src/GameStatePlay.cpp
@@ -481,14 +481,14 @@ void GameStatePlay::checkLog() {
  */
 void GameStatePlay::checkBook() {
 	// Map events can open books
-	if (mapr->show_book != "") {
-		menu->book->book_name = mapr->show_book;
+	if (!mapr->show_book.empty()) {
+		menu->book->setBookFilename(mapr->show_book);
 		mapr->show_book = "";
 	}
 
 	// items can be readable books
-	if (menu->inv->show_book != "") {
-		menu->book->book_name = menu->inv->show_book;
+	if (!menu->inv->show_book.empty()) {
+		menu->book->setBookFilename(menu->inv->show_book);
 		menu->inv->show_book = "";
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/MenuBook.cpp b/src/MenuBook.cpp
index 2198c1ac6..4b183f78d 100644
--- a/src/MenuBook.cpp
+++ b/src/MenuBook.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,16 @@ MenuBook::MenuBook()
 	tablist = TabList();
 }
 
+void MenuBook::setBookFilename(const std::string& filename) {
+	if (visible && (filename.empty() || filename == "close")) {
+		closeWindow();
+		snd->play(sfx_close, snd->DEFAULT_CHANNEL, snd->NO_POS, !snd->LOOP);
+	}
+	else {
+		book_name = filename;
+	}
+}
+
 void MenuBook::loadBook() {
 	if (last_book_name != book_name) {
 		last_book_name.clear();
diff --git a/src/MenuBook.h b/src/MenuBook.h
index 16bbf5606..5b887f294 100644
--- a/src/MenuBook.h
+++ b/src/MenuBook.h
@@ -42,10 +42,7 @@ class MenuBook : public Menu {
 	void logic();
 	void render();
 	void closeWindow();
-
-	std::string book_name;
-	std::string last_book_name;
-	bool book_loaded;
+	void setBookFilename(const std::string& filename);
 
 private:
 	class BookImage {
@@ -95,6 +92,10 @@ class MenuBook : public Menu {
 		{}
 	};
 
+	std::string book_name;
+	std::string last_book_name;
+	bool book_loaded;
+
 	WidgetButton *closeButton;
 	std::vector<BookImage> images;
 	std::vector<BookText> text;
diff --git a/src/MenuManager.cpp b/src/MenuManager.cpp
index 7d61f061f..260707947 100644
--- a/src/MenuManager.cpp
+++ b/src/MenuManager.cpp
@@ -1647,8 +1647,7 @@ void MenuManager::closeLeft() {
 	questlog->visible = false;
 	exit->visible = false;
 	stash->visible = false;
-	book->closeWindow();
-	book->book_name = "";
+	book->setBookFilename("");
 	num_picker->visible = false;
 
 	talker->setNPC(NULL);
@@ -1666,8 +1665,7 @@ void MenuManager::closeRight() {
 	inv->visible = false;
 	pow->visible = false;
 	exit->visible = false;
-	book->closeWindow();
-	book->book_name = "";
+	book->setBookFilename("");
 	num_picker->visible = false;
 
 	talker->setNPC(NULL);
diff --git a/src/Version.cpp b/src/Version.cpp
index dca293749..cc17aa9c5 100644
--- a/src/Version.cpp
+++ b/src/Version.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ FLARE.  If not, see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/
 
 #include <SDL.h>
 
-Version VersionInfo::ENGINE(1, 14, 80);
+Version VersionInfo::ENGINE(1, 14, 81);
 Version VersionInfo::MIN(0, 0, 0);
 Version VersionInfo::MAX(USHRT_MAX, USHRT_MAX, USHRT_MAX);