About GO READ

Bringing Richmond area residents together
to read and discuss the same book at the same time

Modeled on the popular program One City–One Book, the purpose of GO READ is to build a stronger community through reading and discussion. GO READ is a three-year, community-wide initiative to connect people in the metropolitan Richmond region through reading and discussion.

For the pilot year, 2002, a committee selected Ernest J. Gaines’ award-winning book, A Lesson Before Dying, to be read by adults and young adults in the Richmond metropolitan area. Book selection criteria include: someone speaking through their work to the Richmond community; a major author with a recognizable body of work; an author willing to engage in discussion. After reviewing hundreds of suggested titles for the second year of the program, the committee narrowed the selection to three choices. Interested citizens in the greater Richmond community read these three novels and helped decide on The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, as the GO READ selection for year 2003. Schools, faith organizations, book clubs, and service groups were encouraged to include reading and discussion of this provocative book in their programming. Announcements of all programs related to the book were posted on the web site, www.goreadrichmond.com hosted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and TimesDispatch.com.

Tim O’Brien visited Richmond on November 13, 2003 to do a reading of his work and speak with the Richmond community at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace Street. The reading, followed by a reception, was free and open to the public.

To post your GO READ activity or to find more information about upcoming events please visit the web site, www.goreadrichmond.com, or call the GO READ office at 804-646-0290.

GO READ
c/o Richmond Public Library
101 E. Franklin St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804.646.0290
Email: goreadrichmond@aol.com