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Book discussions add fresh insight to 'Tale' title
Feb. 9, 2008
Lifestyles/Extra
By Ben Beagle
bbeagle@batavianews.com
Local librarians have a solution for cabin fever: a book discussion.
The first of 18 book discussions featuring this year's "A Tale
for Three Counties" selection, The Last Town on Earth by Thomas
Mullen, begins Feb. 16 at Wyoming Free Library, 114 South Academy St.,
Wyoming.
But these discussions are "not at all like the discussions you
might remember from school," said Meghan Hauser, a Perry resident
who has participated in several past discussions organized through the
community reading project.
"Book reading discussions are fun," Hauser said. "No
one will call on you, you don't have to answer questions you don't want
to, you can participate as much or as little as you like."
Discussions, at 14 public libraries in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming
counties and Genesee Community College in Batavia, run through March
12. Mullen visits for talks and booksigning in each county March 13
to 15.
In between there is a book review program and historical presentations
that connect events from Mullen's fictional story to the very real 1918
flu pandemic, which is central to the story of The Last Town on Earth.
The novel, set in 1918, explores individual and societal issues as a
town quarantines itself in an attempt to prevent an outbreak of the
deadly flu that is spreading across the country.
At the same time, surprising political repression and tense emotions
regarding the U.S. role in World War I and the fear of foreign spies
threatens the town's ideals.
"The topic is dark but timely," says Mary Zangerle, director
of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Medina. "The questions raised are
innumerable. What would our community do? Could we sustain a quarantine?
Book discussions create fodder for conversations in other aspects of
our lives."
Started six years ago, "A Tale for Three Counties" is designed
to encourage people to read the same book and then discuss it with others
in the community.
"I like to do it because it stretches the mind. I like to see how
other people view the book," said Janet Lee of Batavia. "Sometimes
what I think is completely different from what someone else thought,
and that makes it exciting."
Sarah Bass of Silver Springs says the discussions add depth to the book.
"It opens up completely new interpretations," she said. "The
thing that surprises me almost every time is the range of different
experiences everyone has about reading the same words; that as hard
as an author may try to be concise the final say is still up to the
reader."
The upcoming discussions are about more than just the book - some even
plan to have special treats.
Both Richmond Library and Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy plan to
serve a 1917 "War Cake."
The cake is made without butter, eggs or milk, but "is a very tasty
recipe," said Richmond librarian Leslie DeLooze.
Several discussions plan to share local information about how the 1918
flu epidemic affected their communities through historic displays or
special events. In Medina, a screening of a PBS documentary on the 1918
influenza is planned, and Le Roy will also offer a look at the Everett
Massacre, a real-life event that plays a role in The Last Town on Earth.
"Book discussion is like a conversation and everyone takes part
in it," said Woodward director Sue Border, who led a workshop on
having a discussion for librarians after a recent Tale for Three Counties
Council meeting. "It is your chance to say what you think about
the book. If there are points you would like to talk about or questions
you have, this is the time to bring them up."
A discussion leader typically introduces the program and will ask some
questions to get people talking and guide the discussion. But it is
an informal gathering, Border said.
"The leader is the facilitator, not the authority," she said.
Book discussions are just one way to get involved with this year's Tale
project.
Readers are encouraged to share opinions about The Last Town on Earth
in a book review contest sponsored by The Daily News. Up to six winners
will be selected to have lunch with Mullen on March 14. (An entry form
is found on page B-3 in today's newspaper).
Two local historians will present programs about the 1918 influenza.
On Feb. 20, Neil Johnson will give a lunch time lecture at Swan Library,
4 North Main St., Albion. On Feb. 27, Genesee County Historian Susan
Conklin offers a similarly-themed talk at Richmond Memorial Library,
19 Ross St., Batavia. Both programs begin at 12:15 p.m.
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library is also planning to have a historian present
a program about what was happening in Orleans County during the outbreak.
More than 1,000 people each year have participated in some part of the
"Tale" project. Several libraries even started regular book
discussion groups as a result of interest generated by the Tale talks.
Hauser, a regular at Perry Public Library's monthly book discussions,
said she is looking forward to hearing what people have to say at this
month's talk, scheduled Feb. 26.
"The topics really hit home," she said. "It's a very
modern book, even though it is about a time so long ago."
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Getting involved in Tale is as simple as picking up the book. Copies
of The Last Town on Earth are available for loan and purchase at libraries
and bookstores in the three counties.
For a complete schedule of "Tale" events, check the project
Web site at www.taleforthreecounties.org.
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation