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Clarendon Hills Library to join in Big Read
Big Read picks of the past
2012 The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
2011 Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
2010 The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2009 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
2008 Dream When You’re Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg
2007 The March by E.L. Doctorow
2006 Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
2005 The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Article Extras
Updated: January 21, 2013 2:09PM
CLARENDON HILLS — The Big Read book for 2013 will invite readers to explore foreign lands, revisit history and might even tug at the heartstrings.
Melissa Doornbos, of the Downers Grove Library and a member of the book selection committee, said this year’s committee was nearly unanimous in its selection of Adriana Trigiani’s The Shoemaker’s Wife for the ninth annual event.
Each year, representatives from 10 participating libraries — Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Indian Prairie, La Grange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Thomas Ford, Westmont and Woodridge — get together to not only choose a book, but to plan dozens of events that coincide with the book’s story, characters, time and location.
The Shoemaker’s Wife, Doornbos said, offers plenty of programming opportunities.
Inspired by her own family history, Trigiani’s story is of two star-crossed lovers whose journeys take them from the mountains in Italy to their new home in America. The novel follows the characters from the early 1900s through World War II.
A full list of concerts, food demonstrations, lectures and book discussions will be available Feb. 1.
“We make a big deal of the physical paper guide being available Feb. 1,” said Cris Cigler, Indian Prairie Public Library marketing director and chairman of the Big Read publicity committee.
The programs, which will take place throughout March and April, also will be listed at thebigread.org.
Thirty-three programs were held as part of last year’s Big Read, which drew an average of 54 people to each event.
“I think we have a great list of programs this year,” Doornbos said.
Meanwhile, it’s not too early to start reading this year’s book choice.
“It’s a good Christmas present for someone who is a devoted follower,” Cigler said.
