St. Paul Reads Minnesota Authors

Hey All!

 Earlier this week I got to attend an event 'unveiling' the chosen authors for this year's "St. Paul Reads" program. It's organized by the Citywide Book Club, a joint project of the St. Paul Schools, the St. Paul libraries, and the city of St. Paul.

 In honor of the St. Paul School system's 150th anniversary, the selection committee chose all Minnesota authors. Here they are:

 For adults and secondary students:

"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

For younger students:

"The Birch Bark House" by Louise Erdrich

and for parents with small children, the committee chose five picture books:

"On the day you were born" by Debra Frasier

"The Best Pet of All" by David LaRochelle

"Children of Vietnam" by Marybeth Lorbiecki

"If you Want to See a Caribou"  by Phillis Root

and "Song fo the Water Boatman" by Joyce Sidman.

 Almost every author was there (Tim O'Brien was MIA) as well as Mayor Chris Coleman, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, and writer/performer Garrison Keillor. The event was held at Keillor's new bookstore "Common Good Books," located in F. Scott Fitzgerald's old stomping grounds and not far from Keillor's own house. Keillor joked that all the authors present should take the vast amounts of money they're making from publishing books, and invest it in independent bookstores, just like he and Louise Erdrich have.... ;)

 I've attached some photos from the event for your enjoyment. I have to say, I've never attended such a positive event, filled with people appreciating each other's work.

Also, Mayor Chris Coleman said he was proud they chose Tim O'Brien's book because he doesn't think we talk enough about the consequences of sending our children to war. It will be interesting to see if a broader community conversation arises out of this...