Local Celebrities, Authors To "READ-IN" at Larchmont Library

Reading Marathon is April 1 From 11 AM to 3 PM

by Jane Nishimura

(March 23, 2006) Listen up, bibliophiles! On Saturday April 1st, between 11am and 3pm, the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library will host READ-IN, an event aimed at book lovers. In a four-hour marathon, local authors, poets, politicians, and celebrities will read for ten minutes each from their favorite books. Said Friends President Ellie Fredston, "This is a celebration of reading, of holding a book in your hand and enjoying it with others."

Author Marlene Fanta Shyer reads from the memoir she wrote with her son, Not Like Other Boys, at the Larchmont Library's Brown Bag Lunch on March 23. .

Participating authors include, William Broad, Jeff Wanshel, Sylvia Moss, Greg Wallance, Janice Kaplan, Todd Strasser, Kate Kelly, Norman Kline, Renée Luria Leopold and Peggy Rao . Other readers are NY State Assemblyman George Latimer, Mayor Ken Bialo, Mayor-elect Liz Feld, Trustee Marlene Kolbert, Trustee-elect Jim Millstein, Town Coucilwoman Nancy Seligson, Town Justice Jean Marie Brescia, Library Board Chairman Bill Dentzer, and Friends of the Library members Harriet Kline, Kate Moody, and Ruth Spiro.

Even in the midst of today's electronic media inundation, people are discovering the beauty of the spoken word. For some Larchmonters this is a re-discovery; READ-IN was a successful program in years gone by. Poet Renée Luria Leopold remembers reading aloud at Larchmont Library on a "deep dark April day" in the 80's to an "audience filled with eager listeners."

The Friends of the Library feel that now is the perfect time to again feature this type of spoken word event. An interesting element of READ-IN is its smorgasbord/sideshow aspect. Like a quick cut music video, the four hours are crammed with different books, different people reading them and an ever-changing audience. Having only 10 minutes to "get" a book gives the audience the equivalent of an intellectual tasting menu. The randomness of people connecting with each other and with an eclectic series of books promises to keep the whole four hours spicy.

"It's always interesting to get a sampling of the book choices of our friends and neighbors and it's particularly stirring to hear those choices being read aloud, to be so directly put in touch with the ideas," said Carolyn Millstein, a member of the Friends board. She also pointed out that "the participants are completely free in their book choice -- this is uncensored!"

This direct contact experience allows writers and readers to connect and to explore their complex relationship face to face. READ-IN is people engaged and connected around a shared interest and love of books. Please drop by to help us celebrate the written word as we kick off National Library Weed 2006.

READ-IN is free and open to the public and will be held in the Reading Room at the Larchmont Public Library.

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