BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Saul and Patsy. While this couple might not be famous right now, their fame is set to grow once the third annual ‘Everyone’s Reading? campaign kicks off.
The Independence Township Library is one of seven libraries participating in the Metro-Area Book Club’s event again this year, featuring author Charles Baxter’s latest book, ‘Saul and Patsy?.
‘Charles Baxter is a wonderful writer,? Patience Beer, Independence Township Library Head of Adult Services, said. ‘His novels are considered serious literature, but accessible as well.?
The book is a fictional story based on the status of Saul and Patsy’s marriage after moving to a small town in Michigan. Baxter, who lived in Michigan for 30 years, is known for using the state as a setting for many of his works.
‘This book happens to be set in Michigan,? Beer said. ‘He (Baxter) often writes about the Midwest.?
Each of the seven libraries participating in the Metro-Area Book Club will host different functions to highlight the book. Independence Township has their own activities planned to highlight the book.
The library will host two book discussion groups at its normal daytime and evening discussions. Everyone is welcome to participate.
‘Hopefully this will give people a chance to read something they might not have selected before, something they might not have been exposed to,? Beer said.
Getting involved in the campaign is easy. The library has 16 copies of the book available to check out, in addition to audio and CD versions. Since the book, which was published last August, is so new, demand is expected to be high. The book club also has an agreement with Borders to feature the title at a 20% discount at their stores for readers.
‘This year the program is a little different than others,? Beer said. ‘We’re featuring a very new book.?
Reading guides and questions are available at the library as well as online on the campaign’s Web site. Information about other libraries? events, such as appearances by the author himself in April, is also available.
Both the Brandon Township Public Library and Orion Township Library will also have events related to the campaign.
According to Beer, the ‘Everyone’s Reading? campaign has been steadily building since its debut in 2002. Past books included ‘Pay it Forward? by Catherine Ryan Hyde and ‘A Lesson Before Dying? by Ernest J. Gaines.
‘Everyone’s Reading? is based on other library reading initiatives throughout the country. The Metro-Area’s is unusual in that the selected book is a recently-published title and that the author will be participating in some of the activities.
‘We liked selecting Baxter because of the fact that we could bring him in,? Beer said. Baxter recently moved back to his native state of Minnesota.
So far ‘Saul and Patsy? has received good responses from critics. Beer herself is a fan.
‘I enjoyed it very much,? Beer said. ‘I love Baxter’s sense of humor, his irony, and his command of language. You’ll read a phrase and just go, ‘Yes!??
For more information, call (248) 625-2212.