Everybody Reads Together

Still time to attend a free program!

The Everybody Reads/Oregon Reads 2009 Kick Off with author Lauren Kessler was a great event with a total of nearly 700 people attending one of the two Jan. 15. talks. Lauren acknowledged members of the Yasui family who attended the evening event. With a little audience participation exercise which revealed only a handful of people whose ancestors had been born in Oregon, she also vividly illustrated the fact that you don't have to go back very far to see that many people in attendance were, at one time, newcomers.

Other programs being presented in conjunction with Everybody Reads/Oregon Reads 2009 will expand on the other themes of the book or allow you to experience aspects of Japanese culture.  At Central Library, a kimono workshop will take place on Feb. 14 followed by a performance by Portland Taiko on Feb. 15. At the literary end of the spectrum, there are still 15 more book discussions scheduled where you can share your thoughts on the book with other community members. Admission to all programs is free; check the library's Web site for details.