Book debate to promote literacy, says organizer
Jan 27, 2010 - 10:41 AM
By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- Five books. Five book clubs. Five celebrity panelists.
One good time, promises organizers.
Shelley Macbeth, owner of Blue Heron Books on Brock Street West, has launched the first Uxbridge Reads event, involving five Uxbridge book clubs trying to convince the panelists why their chosen piece of Canadian literature is the best of the bunch.
"The main goal is, naturally, literacy ... but also community spirit, lively debate, and fun," said Ms. Macbeth, adding the idea originally came from her former staff member Sarah Reid.
The "celebrity" panelists include Uxbridge Mayor Bob Shepherd; chief executive officer of the Uxbridge Library, Alexandra Hartmann; comedian, television actor and Metroland columnist Neil Crone; member of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society, Barb Pratt; and Sue Reynolds, president of the Writers' Circle of Durham Region.
The panelists are reading the five short-listed book titles and will weigh in with their own comments and opinions during the debate, said Ms. Macbeth. Those books, their authors (in brackets) and the clubs that are pitching them include: The Brain That Changes Itself (by Norman Doidge), Hypatia Club; Prisoner of Tehran (by Marina Nemat), Log Cabin; Water for Elephants (by Sara Gruen), Page Turners; The Book of Negroes (by Lawrence Hill), Tell Me How it Ends; and Three Day Road (by Joseph Boyden), Blue Heron Books club.
For Mayor Shepherd, the experience has already been an eye-opener. "I tend to read non-fiction, so it's been a real experience for me reading fiction," he said, acknowledging a couple of the titles aren't based on make-believe stories. He said he "jumped at the opportunity" when approached to be on the panel, applauding the initiative. "Anything we can do to promote reading is great."
After a lively discussion about the books, a vote will be taken and the 'winning' title will be chosen, said Ms. Macbeth. She said she will then challenge groups in town, such as an English class of Uxbridge Secondary School, the Uxbridge Bruins and others to read it and engage in conversation.
The Rotary Club of Uxbridge, whose members she may also challenge to read the winner, has donated two sets of the short-listed books to the Uxbridge Library, according to Ms. Macbeth. Ms. Hartmann said she has already seen the positive effects of the contest. "I think it has heightened the readership (at the library)," she said. "After (the contest) was first announced, we had a run on our books."
Uxbridge Reads takes place in Uxbridge Town Hall council chambers on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., and Ms. Macbeth and the panelists hope for a healthy turnout from the public as admission is free. Ted Barris will moderate the debate.
Residents will have a chance to meet one of the authors of the five books prior to the debate. Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran, as well as 2009 Giller nominee Kim Echlin, will be at Wyndance Golf Club on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. Cost with brunch is $20. Visit
www.blueheronbooks.com.
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