Peoria Reads! - The Other Wes Moore

Although I can't find a consistent website or much information about this, Peoria takes place in the 'one city, one book' initiative started back in 1998 by the Library of Congress' Center for the Book, in which cities around the nation promote the reading of the same book by all their residents and then book clubs, high school reading classes, community clubs, etc. are encouraged to discuss it. 

Common Place and the Peoria Public Library have sponsored this event each February since 2002, when Peoria began participating. Although I've lived here since 1997, this is the first year I've heard about it so I'd love to do a bit more digging and see if there is something I can do to help get the event marketed more strongly. I think it's a great community event and anything that gets people reading should be encouraged and supported.

This year, the book chosen for Peoria is THE OTHER WES MOORE, by Wes Moore. Here is just a bit of the synopsis from the Barnes & Noble site:  "Two kids with the same name were born blocks apart in the same decaying city within a year of each other. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, army officer, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation."

Memoirs are my favorite things to read so I jumped at the chance to pick up this book and plan to begin it February 1 with my fellow Peorians. If you would like to pick up a copy at your library or local bookstore and read along with me, I'd welcome the company. 

Does your city participate in a similar event?  I would love to know how it is publicized and if you've ever taken part. 

Comments

[Kellee]

How very interesting! I'll have to look that up, I have no idea if they do that here, but I LOVE the idea. I agree, anything that gets people reading, and by extension talking about it, is a WONDERFUL thing. :)