Literary events to get residents all on same page

Monthlong Big Read activities to focus on 'Gatsby' valleywide

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With VCRs, Tivo, video on demand and streaming downloads, it's probably unusual for a group of people to be watching a TV program at the same time, much less something that takes more effort, such as reading the same book. However, that is precisely what organizers at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District intend to do.

For the seventh time, the library district will present its month-long Read Las Vegas program, or The Big Read, with special events planned throughout April at libraries across the valley, centered on "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the novel, which was first published in 1925, Fitzgerald chronicles what he dubbed the "Jazz Age."

The novel features the exploits of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy, self-made man with a dubious past and an overwhelming love for a woman from his past who is now another man's wife. The novel captures the heady days of the time, with lavish parties, fast cars and fast women.

Reading Las Vegas has incorporated a National Endowment for the Arts program called The Big Read. The NEA program, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, encourages literary reading by bringing communities together to read and discuss one book. Last year, it was Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club."

"We had a choice of 16 books to chose from, and after a group discussion with the event's committee, we chose ("The Great Gatsby") because it is considered to be an American masterpiece, and there are a wide range of events we could tie into it," explained Jennifer Schember, community outreach and adult programming coordinator for the library district.

Many of The Big Read events will be held at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, but other events are to be held across the valley. Participants of "The Great Gatsby" book discussions will receive complimentary copies of the book while as supplies last.

"We ordered about 2,500 copies," Schember said. "It was entirely paid for by the grant."

The main event kicks off on Saturday at the Clark County Library with The Big Read Book Festival, which will feature book vendors, writing workshops, "The Great Gatsby" giveaways and Reading Las Vegas sign-ups.

For more information about the program, visit www.lvccld.org/events/readinglv/2008.