Reading Together

McBride in Concert 

One Book, One Community

What if the entire community read the same book at the same time? Reading Together invites people of all ages, from all walks of life, to read and then discuss important issues raised by a single book. Thousands of Kalamazoo County residents have participated in Reading Together.

The Program

Each year following book selection, a community steering committee develops a wide variety of programs, including films, concerts, exhibits, expert presentations, author visits, and more. Five weeks of events culminate with a visit by the Reading Together author during National Library Week.

Highlights

Past Reading Together highlights include Rick Bragg’s talk with the community in 2009, Tim O’Brien’s meeting with dozens of armed forces veterans at the Air Zoo in 2006, and a performance by James McBride and his jazz band at First Baptist Church in 2005.