A new take on devouring a book
Now here's someone who puts his mouth where his money is. David Kipen, the literature director for the National Endowment for the Arts, recently raised the stakes for a community reading program in Ohio. He pledged to eat a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird if all 128 residents of the community of Kelleys Island don't read the book, according to a story in the Sandusky Register. The challenge is part of The Big Read, an NEA program that asks communities to read and discuss a book.
As you may know, One Maryland One Book has picked James McBride's Song Yet Sung for the 2009 program that kicks off in the fall. No one from the Maryland Humanities Council, which sponsors the program, has made a similar book-munching pledge. And the 362-page tale would be a mouthful.
Maybe we can suggest something more tasty. How about Chocolat?
Comments
To Kill A Mockingbird sounds quite tasty. I hope he enjoys it with a sprinkle of ideas and a bit of whimsy.
Posted by: Book Calendar | April 3, 2009 6:02 AM
It seems like he's encouraging someone to not read it by pledging to eat the book if they don't all read it. Someone would not read it just to see him eat the book.
Posted by: Kathy | April 3, 2009 8:43 AM
@Kathy -- My thoughts too! Seems like it would be a better deal if he offered to eat the book if everyone *did* read it. D'oh!
Posted by: Paul Lagasse | April 3, 2009 2:47 PM
The Mockingbird is not for eating.
Posted by: Dahlink | April 4, 2009 7:05 PM