Quincy Public Library’s Big Read 2017 Kicks Off Tomorrow

Remember at the start of the year you made your list of New Year's Resolutions, the normal stuff like exercise more, eat healthier, maybe quit a bad habit? Remember that? And remember when you put "Read more books" on the list, but you totally haven't done that either. I know you did, because I did too. And I haven't, because I'm lazy. But I did the Big Read last year through the Library and the National Endowment for the Arts, had a lot of fun, and was excited that it was coming back for another year.

Last year we read Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club. This year, the book of choice is Five Skies by Ron Carlson about construction workers in Idaho. At least for adults. For the kids who want to participate in this year's Big Read, they can choose from Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and Flat Stanley Goes Camping by Jeff Brown and Macky Pamintuan. The best part is that it's free to participate. Even the books are free, as part of the grant from the NEA.

Head out to Upper Moorman Park on Thursday, September 14th at 4pm for the kick off celebration including refreshments, music and crafts, and pick up your books. Western Illinois University’s Dr. Mark Mossman will be on hand to speak on the book. Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host educational workshops for kids so they can learn about fish, turtles and crawdads. This free event is open to all ages. For more information, head to the QPL website or follow them on Facebook.