What should Richmond's book be?
Ray McAllister/Times-Dispatch Columnist
Thurs, April 26, 2001

What if all of Richmond read the same book?

Great idea, many of you said after we advanced it here last Friday.

Thank you.

It's not even remotely mine.

The city of Rochester has spent the winter reading and discussing "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest P. Gaines. Book stores, libraries and schools are on board. Classes, panels and book groups take part. Spontanous discussions sprout up everywhere. A local theater is running a theatrical version. The author came to town for a number of events.

But I make no apologies for the theft.

After all, the city of Rochester stole the idea from the city of Buffalo.

Buffalo stole it from Seattle.

The Virginia Center for the Book and Library of Virginia had an extensive "All Virginia Reads" campaign last year, using Wil liam Stryon's novel, "Sophie's Choice." It had similar events, although, being statewide, not the saturation the city campaigns have had.

It seems everyone in Rochester knows of the book. Many - get this! - have read it.

Ah, but which book would you choose for the Richmond area?

Local writers and/or subjects might be a plus. A provocative subject is essential.

You've bombarded me with suggestions - and reasoning. No room for the reasons, alas. But here are many of your suggestions. (Recommending readers' names are in parentheses): Gaines' "A Lesson Before Dying" (Anne R. West, Patty Franz, Lisa K.)

"To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee (Rebecca L. Harris, Pat Atherholt, M.N. Cowles).

"Gone With The Wind" (Susan Jacobs).

"The Diary of Anne Frank" (M.N. Cowles, Franz).

"Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis (Pat Roberts).

"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy ( Jim Doherty).

"Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse,

"The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros,

"A Thousand Acres" by Jane Smiley, or "The House of the Spirits" by Isabel Allende (Franz).

"Rapture of Canaan" by Sheri Reynolds (Judith J. Bentley, Terry Brown).

"The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy (Brown).

"Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor (Susi Royer).

"Big Stone Gap" by Adriana Trigiani (Irene Bain, Georgia Hening).

"The Shad Treatment" by Garett Epps ( Bain).

"Wish You Well" by David Baldacci (Lee Harizanoff, Hening).

"Dead March" by Ann McMillan (Franz, Jeanne McKeon).

"Good Hearts" by Reynolds Price (Teresa K. Holmes).

"All Souls Risin'" by Madison Smartt Bell or "Tidewater Blood" by William Hoffman (Randy H.).

"The Wedding" by Dorothea West (Rita Peyton).

"A Painted House" by John Grisham (Robin McNeny, Hening).

"Saving Graces" by Patricia Gaffney,

"The Bonesetter's Daughter" by Amy Tan or "Sweet Everlasting" by Patricia Gaffney (Hening).

"The Endurance" by Caroline Alexander (William Sawyer).

"The Reader" by Bernard Schlink (Joan Trotti)

"All Over But the Shoutin'" by Rick Bragg,

"The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell,

"The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living" Martin Clark,

"Welding With Children" by Tim Gautreaux, or "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf (Kelly Justice).

I'm out of room. Many, many of you said also you or your organizations could help implement the idea. If so, expect to hear from me in the weeks ahead. Who knows. Might work.

Ray's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Write him at the Times-Dispatch, Box 85333, Richmond VA 23293; call (804) 649-6333; fax (804) 775-8059; or e-mail rmcallister@timesdispatch.com.

GO READ! Web site maintained by timesdispatch.com