Since 1998, when Seattle asked its residents to read Russell Banks’ The Sweet Hereafter, the idea of a community reading and discussing the same book has spread across the United States and to countries as far away as Australia. The idea spawned “One City, One Book” events, county- and state-wide programs, and even the nationwide All America Reads and Canada Reads projects.

Centre County’s efforts began early in 2002 when a group of individuals from the community, including libraries, schools, and bookstores began to discuss the merits of a county-wide effort to share a book. In 2003, Centre County residents initially read and discussed Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The community response was terrific, and so the project continued.

The Centre County Reads committee compiles a list of books that members or community members have recently read and recommend. Each book goes through a vetting process based on the following criteria:

• promotes meaningful discussion for a wide range of ages,

• reflects universal issues common to the majority of Centre County residents,

• written at a reading level accessible to emerging adult readers, and

• available in a variety of formats, including an inexpensive paperback edition that is readily obtainable.