About The Big Read

“The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.” For more general information on this NEA endeavor, please see http://www.neabigread.org/about.php.

This is the second consecutive year of the Hattiesburg Big Read, once again spearheaded by Southern Miss in partnership with a local library system. This year, Lamar County Library System volunteered to be our partners and they have planned many wonderful public events for us to share.

But, most of all, this project is about the love of books, of reading, and of sharing that enjoyment with others. So…pick up a FREE copy of A Wizard of EarthSea at your local public library or buy one at your local bookstore or check out one from your local library or borrow one from a friend ... but, please, read.

And while you’re reading or to enhance what you’ve already read, come to some of the wonderful events listed on our Events pages. We have many wonderful events planned for all age groups. Come to our community Kickoff Event on October 13 where we will have “magicians” and Wizard Wrock bands. Come to our Southern Miss Kickoff on October 14 where a panel of EarthSea-reading faculty and students will discuss the book, its impact on them as readers, and its importance for all of us today. Come to one of our reading-discussion groups. And, even if its not to a planned event, bring your kids or your friends to a public library and introduce them to your love of books and reading.

Get the book. Read it. Discuss it. Be ready when someone asks,

“What page are YOU on?”