What is Big Read Lakeshore? The NEA Big Read Lakeshore is a month-long, reading program that takes place each Oct-Nov in Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan Counties, to support reading among various age groups and expose readers to great works for pleasure and enrichment. This year’s Big Read enters its 12th year.
What are we reading this year?
- Big Read: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger
- Middle Read: A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat
- Little Read: Journey, by Aaron Beck
- Mini Read: Row Row Row your Boat
How can I participate with Big Read Lakeshore?
- Read the books! There is a selected book for every age. The themes
- Join a Book Club! Libraries, bookstores, and individuals across the lakeshore are hosting book clubs, generating conversations around the themes of these books. MADL has a book club at nearly every branch as well.
- Attend a Big Read Event: There are over a 100 programs for all ages are being offered by organizations around Muskegon County (and Ottawa, Allegan!) to engage people across generational, cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds through lecture, film, food, art, music to explore the books' topics. We also work with area schools to engage students in conversation.
- Meet the Big Read Authors in Muskegon!
- November 14th : Author Talk with Leif Enger. Join the award-winning author at MCC's Overbrook Theater for an evening of discussion, book readings, and music. I Cheerfully Refuse epitomizes the “musical, sometimes magical and deeply satisfying kind of storytelling” (Los Angeles Times) for which Leif Enger is cherished. A rollicking narrative in the most evocative of settings, this latest novel is a symphony against despair and a rallying cry for the future.
- March 26th: Christina Soontornvat will be speaking to middle schools students across the County about her book, A Wish in the Dark.
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