Nahant Children’s Librarian Kim Carmody-Hosker tends to the 32 copies of “Fahrenheit 451,” the book chosen for the Town Wide Read this year. Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
By Bridget Turcotte
NAHANT — Residents are gearing up for another town-wide book read and this time the novel is a classic about a world in which books are burned.
Written in 1953, “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, will be on the town reading list through October.
Bradbury created a fictional time and place where books are burned by firemen and independent thought is discouraged. People don’t read books or enjoy nature. Instead, they watch excessive amounts of television and drive very fast. They constantly listen to the radio through a device attached to their ears.
The library has 30 copies of “Fahrenheit 451” available to be borrowed and two in its circulation that can be lent out with a card.
This will be the second reading event in Nahant. More than 80 people read “The Burgess Boys” by Elizabeth Strout and more than 100 participated in events related to the book launched in March.
The positive town response to the town-wide reading prompted Library Director Sharon Hawkes to think about offering another.
“Somebody in Nahant must care, as our circulations are up by 25 percent over the year before,” Hawkes said. “I can’t wait to hear what they have to say.”
Hawkes hopes to use “Fahrenheit 451” to springboard a discussion on how books and media have impacted modern life. She hopes readers will explore the definition of books and, by extension, literature in the age of blogging and Facebook.
“We chose this book because the warnings implicit in ‘Fahrenheit 451’ are extremely timely in today’s world of electronic information and social media,” Hawkes said. “When Mr. Bradbury wrote this statement, his primary concern was television. Now that we’re in a presidential election, communication is very important. There’s media feedback. In a social media age, who is creating the news?”
Once they finish the book, participating town readers will have the option to attend three related events.
On Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Norman Laliberte, an artist from Nahant, will discuss the art of the book and present his work, including books that have been repurposed as art.
Francois Truffaut’s film version of the novel will be shown at 4 p.m. on Oct. 1, followed by a discussion. On Oct. 8 at 2 p.m., Indie Author Day will offer a webinar with independent publishing professionals. Local authors are encouraged to attend and read from their own work.
A discussion on censorship and books in the 21st century hosted by Hawkes will follow on Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.
On Oct. 23, Boston Globe videographer Scott LaPierre and columnist Yvonne Abraham will talk about the future of journalism and the media.
“Libraries are very flexible to change,” Hawkes said. “E-books have leveled off, we’re not worried about physical books going away. The future of journalism seems up in the air.”
All events will be free and open to the public.
“I am grateful to the staff and the many residents and organization who are making this season’s project so engaging by contributing as exhibitors, presenters and supporters,” Hawkes said.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.