The Deschutes Public Library proudly presents the 10^th Annual “A Novel Idea…Read Together” program. “A Novel Idea” is the largest community read program in the state of Oregon with more than 6,000 residents reading, discussing, and attending free cultural and author events at the Library.

“A Novel Idea has grown 10 times its size during the last 10 years, from just 600 participants in 2004 to more than 6,000 residents actively participating today,” said Community Relations Manager Chantal Strobel. “We believe ‘A Novel Idea’ has grown at such a tremendous rate because it provides Deschutes County a common place to discuss ideas, discover culture, create art, and explore our similarities and our differences in a safe and neutral environment. And, it’s also a lot of fun and free for everyone!”

“A Novel Idea” kicks off Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 3:00 at the Downtown Bend Library with an overview of events, followed by an introduction to The Snow Child by COCC professor of English and “A Novel Idea” selection committee member Stacey Donohue. Award-winning storyteller and Library staff member Heather McNeil will then share a version of The Snow Child fairy tale.

“Deschutes County residents celebrate “A Novel Idea” for three weeks from April 13 – May 4 through more than 20 free cultural programs that are designed to enhance the readers’ experience and enrich discussion,” said Strobel.   “This year’s programs will include: book discussions, documentary films, Dutch Oven cooking, Homesteading Central Oregon, readings from the work of Alaskan poet John Haines, significance of Folklore in our lives today, and several other programs,” said Strobel.

The events culminate with two free presentations by author Eowyn Ivey on Friday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tower Theatre and Saturday, May 4 at the Ridgeview High School in Redmond at 11:00 a.m.  Tickets are required for the free Tower Theatre event and become available on Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Tower Theatre box office or online at www.towertheatre.org   There is a two ticket limit per person for the Tower Theatre. No tickets are required for the Ridgeview High event.

Reader’s guides, book club kits, and calendar listings are now available at each of the public libraries in Deschutes County. The materials are free and available while supplies last.

About the Book: The Snow Child
The Snow Child takes place in Alaska during the 1920s as a couple homesteads an impossible land and mourns the loss of their child. AuthorEowyn Ivey draws us into the stark Alaska landscape without apology – threading the story together with magical realism and hopeful persistence. The Snow Child was inspired by the Russian fairy tale of the snow maiden. The Snow Child won the UK National Book Award and was short-listed for the Center for Fiction’s first novel prize.

About the Author: Eowyn Ivey
Eowyn (pronounced A-o-win) LeMay Ivey was raised in Alaska and continues to live there with her family. The Snow Child is Ivey’s debut novel. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in London’s Observer Magazine, Sunday Times Magazine, Sunday Express Magazine and Woman & Home Magazine. Eowyn worked for nearly a decade as an award-winning reporter at the Frontiersman newspaper. Her weekly articles about her outdoor adventures earned her the Best Non-Daily Columnist award from the Alaska Press Club.   Ivey earned her B.A. in journalism and creative writing through Western Washington University’s honors program and studied creative nonfiction in the University of Alaska Anchorage’s graduate program. She is a contributor to the blog 49Writers and a founding member of Alaska’s first statewide writing center.

A Novel Idea is made possible by the generous donors of the Deschutes Public Library Foundation, the Starview Foundation, BendBroadband, The Bend Bulletin, Bend Research, Francis Hansen & Martin law firm, Oregon Humanities, the Roundhouse Foundation, and the E.H. & M.E. Bowerman Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. This program was made possible in part by a grant from the Oregon Humanities (OH), a statewide nonprofit organization and an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funds OH’s grant program.

For more information about A Novel Idea, please contact Chantal Strobel at (541) 312-1031 or chantals@deschuteslibrary.org   Check out the “A Novel Idea” website at http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/events/novelidea/  for event listings and author information.