Libraries and organizations throughout Connecticut will be hosting special events in celebration of The Great American Read in summer and fall of 2018!
Keep an eye on this page as we will continue to update it with a schedule of these events. Now the whole family can get in on the fun of The Great American Read.
Events (Alphabetically by Town)
Andover, CT
Where: Andover Public Library
Event title: “Book Discussion – Rebecca”
When: July 30, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Our monthly Evening Book Discussion will focus on one of the books from the Great American Read list, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Bloomfield, CT
Where: Prosser Public Library
Event title: “Great American Read: Is Your Favorite on the List?”
When: July 18, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Find out about The Great American Read, and get a copy of the list of 100 of America’s favorite books. Join University of Hartford English Professor Bryan Sinche to talk about the books on the list. Come to discuss your favorite, and vote tonight online. Registration is appreciated.
More information: http://prosserlibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=7227&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2018/07/01
Bloomfield, CT
Where: Prosser Public Library
Event title: “Great American Read Discussion”
When: August 16, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Find out about The Great American Read, and get a copy of the list of 100 of Americans’ favorite books. Join University of Hartford English Professor Dr. Nels Highberg to talk about the books on the list. Come to discuss your favorite, and vote tonight online. Registration is appreciated.
More information: http://prosserlibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=7228&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2018/08/01
Easton, CT
Where: Easton Public Library
Event title: “One Book/One Town Movie Screening – The Handmaid’s Tale”
When: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 7 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: In conjunction with PBS’ The Great American Read, we have chosen The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood as our One Book/One Town pick for the summer and early fall. Join us for a screening of the 1990 film based on the book.
Registration is suggested: https://bit.ly/2nrHEu0
Easton, CT
Where: Easton Public Library
Event title: “One Book/One Town Book Discussion – The Handmaid’s Tale”
When: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 7 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: In conjunction with PBS’ The Great American Read, we have chosen The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood as our One Book/One Town Community Read. Please join us for a lecture and book discussion, led by Anna M. Lawrence, Associate Professor of History and Director of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Fairfield University.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/2B8vAYr
Mystic, CT
Where: Mystic & Noank Library
Event title: “The Great American Read: A Film Screening & Discussion!”
When: Friday, August 24, 2018, 3-5:30 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Join us to watch The Great American Read, a documentary about PBS’ quest to find America’s favorite novel based on an ambitious book list of the same name. Meredith Vieira hosts this televised special, in which she interviews actors, authors, and many more public figures about their favorite books. This fascinating documentary includes conversations with regular Americans as well, all of whom will have a chance to vote on which book on the list they think deserves to be the winner. Although everyone is welcome to attend, we especially encourage those partaking in the MNL’s first Adult Summer Reading Program to come, as the book list outlined in this special also serves as the official (suggested) list for our participants. Afterwards, we will hold a discussion of the movie and book choices. This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Mystic, CT
Where: Mystic & Noank Library
Event title: “The Great American Read Book Discussion”
When: Friday, August 31, 2018, 3-4:30 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: PBS has set out to find America’s favorite book, and they have launched a nationwide reading program called The Great American Read, which is based on their book list of the same name. The titles on this list, which is available on the MNL’s website, are among America’s most read, ranging from literary classics like 1984 and Jane Eyre to popular bestsellers such as The Martian and Gone Girl. The list also includes YA favorites such as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and The Hunger Games, as well as reams of other genres. Everyone will recognize a title they’ve read, which is why we’re inviting you to join us for a discussion of each person’s favorite novel on the list. We especially encourage those in the MNL’s Adult Summer Reading Program to come, as this book list also serves as the official (suggested) reading list for our participants. Refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
New Milford, CT
Where: New Milford Public Library
Event title: “Watch the Live Finale of The Great American Read”
When: October 23, 2018 at 7 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: The premiere of The Great American Read aired May 22 and can be watched online at https://www.pbs.org/video/launch-special-mqei2v/. The list of 100 books is introduced, and celebrities and everyday Americans discuss their favorites and try to persuade the audience to vote for them.* As Ann Curry says, “Fiction is a way of seeing through other people’s eyes. …We grow our brains, our empathy, our understandings.” In the fall, seven new episodes of the series will air as the quest to find America’s most beloved book continues. Each of the one-hour specials are connected by a common theme. From Heroes to Villains and Monsters to escaping to Other Worlds to the eternal questions of What We Do for Love and Who Am I, each episode illuminates how books bring wonder and awareness to our collective experiences. Then, on October 23, come to NMPL to watch the live finale and count down to America’s number-one book!
*Vote online from home, or at NMPL!
Norwalk, CT
Where: Norwalk Public Library
Event title: “AuthorSpeak with Sally Allen”
When: May 11, 2018 at 12 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Author, editor and book group moderator Sally Allen, PhD, will guide readers as she kicks off the Norwalk Public Library Summer Adult Reading Program and promotes The Great American Read. Avid readers and book groups will garner tips on curating new reading lists and will be introduced to Sally Allen’s book, Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers. AuthorSpeak is a series developed by the Library as a place where readers and authors meet and talk about books.
South Windsor, CT
Where: South Windsor Public Library
Event title: “Great American Read Launch Screening” and “Great American Read Screening”
When: May 22, 2018 at 7 p.m. and May 23, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Event organizer’s description: Sponsored by ALA and PBS, The Great American Read will begin May 22 and end on October 23. A list of 100 books will be provided, including old and new books as well as adult, young adult and children’s books. Watch the launch on PBS on 5/22 or join us in the Friends Room on 5/23. All your questions will be answered! We hope you will read with us and vote for your favorite book! No registration is necessary; no fee is required. Participation can be all online or you may join us for some of our book discussions.