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 2022:
Our annual community read program, Everyone is Reading, returns this summer. This year's selection is The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose. This book is based in part on artist Maria Abramović's performance piece The Artist is Present at MOMA in 2010 and its fictional character's response to this piece.
This year we are partnering with Northern Stage to present programs in conjunction with their New Works Now Festival. We choose The Museum of Modern Love as it is a book about a woman artist written by a woman author. The playwrights in this year's New Works Now Festival are all women. Women have always been involved in the arts, creating and making work that has not always been valued or appreciated. What is art, and who gets to decide? Whose voices are heard? Why do humans care so much about art? What does art tell us about ourselves?
Please join us:
We hope you will take the time to read The Museum of Modern Love and attend one of the hybrid programs this summer. We are giving away free paperback copies of the book. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning Monday, June 20 at the Information Desk. Howe Library cardholders can also access ebook and audiobook copies from Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby.
Program Schedule:
There are a few more programs in which we are finalizing details with performers and presenters. We will add additional programs on this page and on our event calendar as soon as events are confirmed.
All programs are hybrid (in-person in the Mayer Room, Howe Library and onine via Zoom) unless otherwise stated.
Thursday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.: Behind the Scenes! A Preview of the Musical Shook with Northern Stage.
Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.: Behind the Scenes! Set Design at Northern Stage
Sunday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m.: Book Discussion: The Museum of Modern Love
*Online via Zoom*
Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m.: Mary Coffey on The Museum of Modern Love
Thursday, July 21 at 1:00 p.m.: Book Discussion: The Museum of Modern Love
More Info
More Info
Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m.: New Works Now creative teams and actors.
More Information to come!
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New Hampshire State Library.
Past Everyone is Reading selections:
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2020 Intimations Zadie Smith |
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2019 Walking to Listen Andrew Forsthoefel |
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2018 The Lady in Gold Anne-Marie O'Connor |
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2017 Etta and Otto and Russell and James Emma Hooper |
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2016 The Soul of an Octopus Sy Montgomery |
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2015 A Walk in the Woods Bill Bryson |
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2014 The Beekeeper's Apprentice Laurie R. King |
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2013 The Story of Charlotte's Web Michael Sims |
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2012 Moby-Duck Donovan Hahnl |
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2011 The Wisest Man in America W. D. Wetherell |
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2010 Strength in What Remains Tracy Kidder |
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2009 March Geraldine Brooks |
Suggest a title:
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