Reminder: Suggestions for CWR 2010 Due by June 30

What will the featured book for Citywide Reads 2010 be? You are part of the selection process! Suggest a novel that is available in paperback and that you think would be of interest to the Santa Monica community and make for a great discussion. Email citywidereads@smgov.net, fill out an online survey at www.smpl.org, or stop by any Santa Monica Public Library. The deadline for suggestions is June 30.

Take the Citywide Reads Survey

Tell us what you thought about this year's Citywide Reads.
Take the survey.

Thank You!

A big thank you to all who helped make this Citywide Reads such a success! We had approximately 135 people attend a book discussion and over 3200 participate in a special event.

We will post a survey soon to get your feedback on this year's program, as well as ask you for suggestions for next year.

To check out what else is going on at the Library, visit www.smpl.org.

Last Events!

We have one more special event and two more book groups left in Citywide Reads 2009. It's not to late to get in on the fun!

A special event on Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 pm in the Main Library's Community Room:
Evidence of Things Unseen Book Discussion - Published in 2003, this novel by Marianne Wiggins was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Set between the World Wars, it follows a family as their lives are affected by science and the atomic age.

Two more Book Discussions:
Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m. in the Main Library's Multipurpose Room
Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m. in the Ocean Park Branch Library's Community Room

We hope to see you there.

Looking Back at Edward S. Curtis

The Library was a great place to be last week, as we took the time to look back at Edward S. Curtis, the real life man who inspired Marianne Wiggins' The Shadow Catcher. On Tuesday evening, April 24th, an appreciative crowd joined us for a screening of In the Land of the War Canoes, a film about the Kwakiutl tribe of Vancouver Island, shot and released by Edward S. Curtis himself in 1914. Originally titled In the Land of the Head Hunters, the film was a combination of documentary and dramatic film, tying the narrative story of a young Kwakiutl tribesman who must battle an old medicine man to win back his bride to authentic documentary footage of Kwakiutl tribal customs and ceremonies. The film has since been added to the United States' National Film Registry, and is considered a first of its kind. If you were not able to join us for the screening, you can always check out the DVD at the library.

On Saturday, April 28th, we invited Curtis expert and scholar, Bruce Kapson, to the Library for an informative lecture that provided a wealth of background information on the legendary photographer. Audience members, many of whom had read the book, asked lots of questions about the real life man who inspired Marianne Wiggins' fictional characterization. Mr. Kapson brought along a stunning collection of vintage photographs, prints and original copper plate negatives for audience members to look at following his lecture. If you are interested in finding out more about Edward S. Curtis, Mr. Kapson assures us he would welcome visitors to his website, http://www.brucekapson.com/, where you can learn more.

Marianne Wiggins visits the Library

On Saturday, Marianne Wiggins visited the Main Library for a reading, discussion, and book signing. Her warmth and sense of humor charmed the crowd.

Some highlights from her talk:

If she had "hung the manuscript out to dry" for a year after she wrote it, she probably wouldn't have done the Curtis Edwards - Edward Curtis device. She said it was just her being a smarty-pants.

Wiggins couldn't get permission for some photos - such as Curtis as an old man and Clara. That's why she had to use the "found" photos.

She designed the book as well as wrote it. She worked hard on the layout and the photos.

Since she has been living in LA, she's been told that her writing has gotten a shot of adrenaline. She currently is working on a novel about the California Water Wars.

LA Writers Discuss Los Angeles Literature

On Sunday, Los Angeles Times book editor David Ulin hosted a discussion about Los Angeles Literature. The audience enjoyed listening to the authors discuss living in and writing about LA. Panelists Cecil Castellucci, Gary Phillips, and Nina Revoyr each had their unique take on the city. All expressed their appreciation for Marianne Wiggins' distinctive novel.