Everyone is Reading
Howe Library's one book, one community event.
In 1998, Seattle Public librarian Nancy Pearl developed the idea for a program that would bring people together by reading and discussing the same book at the same time. The idea soon spread around the country, reaching all the way to a small town in New Hampshire. Each year since 2009, Howe Library has invited the Upper Valley community to read the same book and join us for programming around themes found in the book.
Everyone is Reading 2020:Written during the beginning of the pandemic, Intimations by Zadie Smith is a reflection of those first uncertain months. Written in New York and London, the six essays are personal and thought provoking, touching on the lockdown, racial tensions, societal issues, and the act of writing.
Please join us:
Copies of the book can be checked out by any Upper Valley resident; a Howe Library card is not required to borrow a copy.
We hope you will give the book a try. (It is a short book at 100 pages).
Program Schedule:
-In the spirit of Smith documenting her thoughts, we are inviting you to an Everyone is Reading journaling program. Register at: http://howelibrary.readsquared.com/
-Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Present Moment, Prolific Moment: Using Mindfulness to Write
Made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities
-Thursday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Intimations Panel Discussion with Dartmouth RMS
Cosponsored with the Dartmouth Consortium of Studies in Race, Migration, and Sexuality
-Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Intimations Book Discussion
Past Everyone is Reading selections:
 | 2019 Walking to Listen Andrew Forsthoefel |  | 2018 The Lady in Gold Anne-Marie O'Connor |  | 2017 Etta and Otto and Russell and James Emma Hooper | ||||
 | 2016 The Soul of an Octopus Sy Montgomery |  | 2015 A Walk in the Woods Bill Bryson |  | 2014 The Beekeeper's Apprentice Laurie R. King | ||||
 | 2013 The Story of Charlotte's Web Michael Sims |  | 2012 Moby-Duck Donovan Hahn |  | 2011 The Wisest Man in America W. D. Wetherell | ||||
 | 2010 Strength in What Remains Tracy Kidder |  | 2009 March Geraldine Brooks |
If you read a book that would be a good candidate for next year, please let us know by emailing reference@thehowe.org.
Keep in mind that the book must:
be well-written
have a compelling story that raises interesting questions
suggest varied programming possibilities
appeal to men and women
be available in paperback
have fewer than 350 pages