Long Live The Written Word

As 2007 winds down, libraries are gearing up for the 2008 edition of The Big Read. This project, an initiative of the National Endowment Of The Arts, is:

". . . designed to restore reading to the center of the American culture . . . [by providing] citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities."

Coming off a highly-successful 2007 campaign, in which Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath was chosen to reflect our Oklahoma centennial fervor, the library system for which I work has selected Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya for '08. Today the library is getting an early jump on The Big Read by hosting a luncheon for local business owners where the book will be introduced. Lucky for me, I was asked to play a short set of guitar music, so I've put together a melange' of Latin-themed pieces and Christmas standards for the event.

There are 22 books from which to choose, so take a look at the Big Read website and see how you can involve your community in this great event.