The Great American Read

At the end of July, PBS announced THE GREAT AMERICAN READ, a new eight-part television series and nationwide campaign to explore the joy of books and the power of reading.  Its aim is to start a national conversation about inspiring and influential books.

Initially, 100 books will be selected by the American public and an advisory panel of literary professionals.  The reveal of these titles in May of 2018 will also feature appearances by celebrities and everyday Americans advocating for and explaining their personal connections to their favourite books.  Then several episodes will explore the nominated books through themes such as “Being American,” “Heroes,” “Growing Up,” “What We Do for Love”.   As summer turns to fall, voting will close and America’s top 10 books will be revealed, counting down to America’s Best-Loved in the final episode of the series in September 2018.

See the complete PBS Press Release:  http://www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/pbs-celebrates-the-joy-of-reading-with-the-great-american-read-wt/.   

Can we take bets that Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird will be the winner?

I couldn’t help but wonder whether PBS was inspired by Canada Reads, the annual debate on CBC?