PORT TOWNSEND — Activities are set through the month of March for Port Townsend’s Community Read.
The Port Townsend Public Library selected “On the Way to the End of the World” by Port Townsend author Adrianne Harun for its 19th Community Read.
The library will host a number of free events related to the novel, which is set in small Pacific Northwest town.
Set in the aftermath of the epic Columbus Day 1962 Storm and against the backdrop of the JFK 50-Miler Big Walks, the novel is an adventure story riven with secrets, a national fairy tale twisted into a whodunit.
The annual community read will culminate with an in-person author talk in person on March 30.
Some activities such as the Big Walk and the Story Walk continue throughout the month.
The first event with a specific date is Monday.
The book is available for checkout on two-0week loans at the library at 1220 Lawrence St., and a limited number of extra copies are available free to the public at the library and in the community.
Copies of the book are available for purchase at the Imprint Bookstore, 820 Water St.
Adrianne Harun is the author of two short story collections, “The King of Limbo,” a Washington State Book Award finalist, and “Catch, Release,” winner of the Eric Hoffer Award.
“I read Harun’s latest novel the first weekend it was released and felt haunted and moved by the story and the characters as I walked through each of their journeys and struggles in this masterfully written narrative,” said Melody Sky Weaver, the library’s director.
“I do not say this lightly, I cannot remember the last time a book stayed with me so long after reading it, that I found myself watching videos and reading all I could about the Kennedy Big Walk and the Columbus Day Storm of 1962.”
Activities set throughout March are:
• Big Walk — During this modified Kennedy Walking Challenge, participants walk 50 miles throughout the month of March and are entered to win a prize. Pick up a walking log at the library or download from the library’s website. Supported by Jefferson County Public Health.
• StoryWalk – This Kah Tai Lagoon event is based on “John Muir: America’s Naturalist” by Thomas Locker. Participants can read the book and take an outdoor adventure anytime during daylight for the whole family to enjoy Muir’s wisdom.
Here are dates for other activities this month:
• Book Lovers’ Café at 2 p.m., Monday in the Library Learning Center at the Charles Pink House, 1256 Lawrence St. Weaver will lead a group discussion of “On the Way to the End of the World.”
• Community Book Discussion at 1 p.m. March 13, at The Nest, 1119 Lawrence Street. Enjoy coffee, snacks, and discuss “On the Way to the End of the World” with Emily Bufford.
• “A Deadly Wind – The 1962 Columbus Day Storm” at 6 p.m. March 14, in the Carnegie Reading Room at the Port Townsend Public Library. John Dodge will discuss the epic Columbus Day storm of 1962.
• Community Book Discussion at 11 a.m. March 26 at Marina Café, 2800 Washington St. Enjoy coffee and muffins and discuss “On the Way to the End of the World” with Melody Sky Weaver.
• Meet Adrianne Harun at 6 p.m. March 30, at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., for a presentation and reading. Followed by a book signing and books for sale from Imprint Books.
Thanks to the Port Townsend Public Library Friends and Foundation, copies of the book will be available to the Port Townsend High School and community.
Community members are encouraged to pass around their finished copies to be read and reread.
The Community Read program is made possible through support from the Friends of the Port Townsend Library, the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation and many community supporters.
The City of Port Townsend proclaims March as the official “Reading Month.”
For more information, call the library at 360-385-3181, email ptlibrary@cityofpt.us or visit www.ptpubliclibrary.org.
The full program of activities is posted at www.pt publiclibrary.org/library/page/community-read.
