PARTICIPATE IN THE BIG READ!

The Big Read, an annual initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture, is coming to your community!

Aimed at addressing the steep decline in literary reading among Americans, this national, community-centered event will take place in cities and towns across the United States. Each community chooses one book as their "Big Read," promoting the novel city-wide with book readings, discussions, film viewings, and festivals.

Currently, 208 communities are encouraging literary reading through The Big Read programming from September 2008 through June 2009. To find out what city or town near you is participating, visit The Big Read's web site.

If you're in the New Jersey/NYC area, consider attending Jersey City's Big Read kickoff for Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 on September 13. Visit http://www.imagineatrium.com/ for more info.