Calvin Joins One Book, One County Reading Effort

January 3, 2005 == MEDIA ADVISORY

Calvin College is one of seven local organizations joining forces on the third
annual "One Book, One County" reading initiative. The program encourages all
adults and young adults in Kent County to read and discuss the same book at the
same time.

The book chosen for this year's "One Book, One County" effort is Plainsong,
the award-winning novel by Kent Haruf.

Patterned after successful One Book, One City programs in Seattle and Chicago,
the primary goal of One Book, One County is to promote a life-long love of
reading and to highlight the importance of literature in peoples' lives.
Countywide book discussions are intended to provide an opportunity to build a
sense of community, as neighbors, friends, and family gather to discuss the
book as a shared activity.

Resource guides, available free of charge, provide discussion questions, facts
and resources for related topics that are key to the story. The guide, say
organizers of the project, is a useful tool for anyone interested in leading or
attending a book discussion group on Plainsong. The resource guides are
available at all participating libraries and bookstores, as well as on the One
Book, One County website at www.onebookkent.org

The program is sponsored by the Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public
Library, Cedar Springs Public Library, Sparta Township Library, Schuler Books
and Music, the Humanities Council and Calvin.

Both The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times selected Plainsong as a
Notable Book of the Year in 1999 and Plainsong has been translated into nine
languages since its release. Haruf grew up on the high plains of northeastern
Colorado, the son of a Methodist minister. In addition to Plainsong, he is the
author of The Tie That Binds (1984), Where You Once Belonged (1990) and
Eventide (2004), a follow-up to Plainsong.

Readers will have the opportunity to meet Haruf at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 22
at the Calvin College Fine Arts Center. There will be limited seating with free
tickets available at any library in Kent County, both locations of Schuler
Books & Music and at the "Life Journey with Books" event, sponsored by the
Humanities Council.

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Received on Mon Jan 3 11:07:48 2005