The Deschutes Public Library and The Deschutes Public Library Foundation present the second annual “A Novel Idea…Read Together” program. This countywide reading and discussion program encourages Deschutes County residents to read the same book, at the same time, to create a countywide book club.

This year’s selected read is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The Kite Runner, currently #5 on the New York Times Paperback Fiction Best Seller List, has captivated reading groups across the country with its rich tale of the friendship of two Afghan boys and how one's betrayal of the other affects their adult lives in Kabul and California.

“The Kite Runner bridges the lives of Afghans and Americans together through its universal themes of family, love, betrayal, and redemption,” said Community Relations Manager Chantal Strobel. “It seemed timely to induce more understanding and thought about this foreign land that has affected America so deeply.”

A Novel Idea –Read Together, is a multi-media, multi-faceted series of events. The five-week program kicks off mid-April during National Library Week and lasts through mid-May. Throughout the month, programs and events highlighting the selected novel are offered at libraries in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, and Sunriver.

“The programs are designed to enhance the participant’s knowledge of the novel in an entertaining and unexpected way,” said Strobel. “We’ve combined an array of programs that include presentations by scholars, films, music, food tasting, and a kite fighting demonstration that support and enhance this year’s novel. All of the programs are free and open to the public.”

The program culminates with Author Khaled Hosseini who will discuss his novel at the Tower Theatre in Bend on Saturday, May 14 from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A book signing will follow the discussion at 8:45 p.m. in the lobby of the Tower. This special evening is free to the public but attendees must pick up tickets at their local library for entry. Seating is limited. Tickets will become available on Monday, May 2.

All programs are free and open to the public. The full program schedule is as follows:

Date Program Location Time April 19 Film: Osama Sisters Public Library 6:00 p.m.
April 20 Lecture: Mission Afghanistan La Pine Public Library 6:00 p.m.
April 23 Lecture: Encountering Islam Redmond Public Library 11:00 a.m.
April 23 Lecture: Encountering Islam Bend Public Library 3:00 p.m.
April 27 Lecture: A Troubled Past Sisters Public Library 6:00 p.m.
April 28 Food: Taste of Afghanistan Library Administration (Bend) 6:00 p.m.
April 30 Music: Americanistan Redmond Public Library 3:00 p.m.
April 30 Book Discussion: Kite Runner Sunriver Area Public Library 1:00 p.m.
May 1 Music: Americanistan Bend Public Library 2:00 p.m.
May 1 Food: Taste of Afghanistan Sunriver Area Public Library 4:00 p.m.
May 3 Film: Man Who Would Be King La Pine Public Library 6:00 p.m.
May 3 Book Discussion: Kite Runner Sisters Public Library 6:30 p.m.
May 4 Lecture: Mission Afghanistan Redmond Public Library 6:00 p.m.
May 4 Book Discussion: Kite Runner La Pine Public Library 6:30 p.m.
May 7 Activity: Community Kite Flying Old Mill District 10:00 – 4:00
May 7 Demonstration: Kite fighting Old Mill District 11:00 a.m.
May 7 Demonstration: Kite fighting Old Mill District 2:00 p.m.
May 9 Book Discussion: Kite Runner Library Administration (Bend) Noon
May 9 Book Discussion: Kite Runner Redmond Public Library 6:00 p.m.
May 10 Film: Osama McMenamins 6:00 p.m.
May 10 Film: Man Who Would Be King McMenamins 8:00 p.m.
May 11 Film: Man Who Would Be King McMenamins 6:00 p.m.
May 11 Film: Osama McMenamins 8:00 p.m.
May 12 Book Discussion: Kite Runner La Pine Public Library Noon
May 14 Author: Khaled Hosseini Tower Theater 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please call Chantal Strobel at (541) 312-1031 or Liz Goodrich at (541)312-1032.