The Big Read kicks off on Wednesday, September 16, 12 p.m. on Market Square with presentations from Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Knox County Public Library Director Larry Frank, and YWCA Executive Director Marigail Mullin. YWCA, in partnership with the Knox County Public Library, invites East Tennessee to join in The Big Read, a community reading program featuring Rudolfo Anaya's novel Bless Me, Ultima. This year, the celebration coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, 2009.
Throughout the month-long program, Bless Me, Ultima themed events will be offered throughout the region, including a Mayor's panel discussion where interested readers can catch a thought-provoking discussion led by a panel of community leaders, moderated by Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.
Special this year is "Blog the Book," which will divide Bless Me, Ultima into an easy-to-follow reading schedule, with online local guides who are reading the book for the first time. As they read, they will post their thoughts, questions, and reactions in an open, online forum. The public is invited to read along with them and join in the conversation.
For more information about The Big Read in East Tennessee, call Sara Baker at (865) 523-6126 or go to www.knoxlib.org. For more information about The Big Read nationally, please visit www.neabigread.org.
