The Big Read

One of the biggest initiatives to help promote reading across the country is now underway. The Big Read is happening in cities large and small, and currently 208 communities are participating as the events kicked off in September 2008.

For readers in D.C, our events take place during the months of April-May with the official kick off of The Big Read D.C happening on April 25th at 11am. Writer/Co-producer of The Wire George Pelecanos will be present. The Humanities Council of Washinton, located at 925 U. Street NW started reading and discussing Carson McCullers' The Heart is A Lonely Hunter on April 1st. But be not weary oh ye anxious bibliophiles. This coming Tuesday, April 7th, at King Jordan Student Academic Center, First Floor G Area, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002 there will be another discussion of this novel. Here's a link to the list of events happening in D.C concerning The Big Read. I would love to check out the film "Deaf Characters in Popular Films: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" showing at the MLK Library on April 21st or the Dance performance happening just a few days after.

The site also lets you check what others communities across America are reading, and even offers radio clips, essays and interview excerpts for you to engage in. One of my favorites is the radio clip of Alice Walker speaking about the woman whom she helped the world rediscover: Zora Neale Hurston.

Later this year, Uptown Literatti aims to be a contributing member to The Big Read's initiatives, so be on the look out for a big announcement in the summer.