I perk up like a gopher whenever I see the name Barbara Kingsolver, I have good reason for it. Kingsolver is a highly acclaimed author with an incredible body of work and she lives right here in Arizona.
I pulled my gopher move on Sunday when I picked up Saturday's Arizona Republic. There, on the first page of the Arizona Living section, was a picture of my favorite Kingsolver novel - Animal Dreams.
It seems that a new program will be launched throughout Arizona in April. It's called OneBookAZ. The goal is to get Arizonans to read the same book at the same time. In this way, OneBookAZ wishes to create a feeling of community while promoting both reading and public libraries.
By implementing this program, Arizona is jumping onto the bandwagon early. Seattle was the first to try out the concept. Then Chicago did it. New York City is thinking about it, but, ha, ha, we beat you!
This is what you do to participate in OneBookAZ. You read Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Then you discuss it with other people. The beauty is in the simplicity.
You can read several chapters of the book at www.onebookaz.org and also get more information about the program. Libraries and bookstores throughout the state carry copies of the books, or you can buy it on the Internet. The publisher also donated 1000 copies to rural libraries and adult literacy programs. Basically, you don't have an excuse for not grabbing a copy.
Animal Dreams is about one woman's struggle to find herself. It deals with environmental issues that concern Arizona and has a strong feel of both the Hispanic and Native American communities that exist in this state.
I can tell you it's a good book. I've read it several times. It holds a place of honor in my room - which means I found a place for it on my bookshelf instead of shoving it under my bed. It's the kind of book that makes you consider calling in sick to work to finish.
Beyond the fact that Animal Dreams is a good story, Barbara Kingsolver has a feel for the Arizona landscape that brings the desert alive for readers. Whether you love the desert or hate it, she'll make you see its beauty. She has a lyrical style that is both poetic and realistic. The true Arizonan will connect with her work by the second page.
There are several reasons why the Arizona state library system chose Animal Dreams to launch the OneBookAZ program. It's a highly acclaimed novel by an Arizona writer, set in her home state. In addition, it is a contemporary story with an approachable heroine.
After you read the book, you can participate in one of dozens of discussion groups around Arizona. The book will be discussed on radio and television shows. On April 10, there will be a Reading Relay with public officials reading passages aloud in public places. A tour will go through Clifton-Morenci, which is the mining town that Kingsolver based Grace, Arizona on.
Best of all, Barbara Kingsolver will speak at the Arizona Book Festival in Phoenix on April 6. For information on all events, go to www.onebookaz.org.
This program is a chance for Arizonans to get to know each other and the state we live in. Every year, new people move to this state, and many to go to school at ASU. OneBookAZ is a way to get the old together with the new and to get us talking.
It's an excellent start to a good public program. If OneBookAZ brings Arizonans such high quality work every year, a worthwhile tradition has begun.
Kym Levesque is a journalism sophomore. Reach her at kymberly.levesque@asu.edu.
