We’re Reading Together, Again! 

Our community-wide reading program, One Book, One Zip Code, was moved from spring to fall this year to coincide with the 10^th anniversary of September 11, 2001, an event that drives the plot of this year’s selection, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” by Jonathan Safran Foer.

In the book, nine-year-old Oskar Schell embarks on an urgent, secret mission to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11. This seemingly impossible task will bring Oskar into contact with survivors of all sorts on an exhilarating, affecting, often funny, and ultimately healing journey.

The 10-year anniversary played a big role in the One Book, One Zip Code committee’s selection. “One way we learn about the past is through stories,” says David Hirsch, long time member of the committee.  “Fiction is a powerful vehicle for us to explore our relationships with each other and with events like 9/11. As we travel with Oskar, we do more than just ride along. One of the most wonderful things about reading this book at this time is that it enhances both the experience of reading and our understanding of the complexities of 9/11. We hope that this book adds a significant layer to the commemoration of 9/11.”

Another way we hope to add a “significant layer” to this important remembrance is through our programming.  On Sunday, September 11, following the civic ceremony at Deerfield Village Hall which starts at 1:30 p.m., Rabbi Aaron Melman of Temple Beth Shalom in Northbrook will speak about his personal experiences as a student chaplain of the New York Fire Department on 9/11.  At 6:30 on Monday, September 12, at Deerfield High School, David Hirsch will interview the author via Skype!  Plus, Whitehall of Deerfield will give away a Nook and Barnes & Noble gift cards.  On Sunday, September 18^th, the Library will host “Poets’ 9/11” a reading of original work about 9/11 or inspired by some of the themes in the book.  All One Book programs are listed in the Events section of Patch and on the Library's website.  Committee members will be at the Farmers Market on Saturday, 9/10, with more information.

 One lasting legacy of our 2011 reading initiative will be a collection of community members’ memories of 9/11.  Special cards for sharing thoughts of 9/11 will be available at every event, at the Library, at the Patty Turner Center, at the high school and elsewhere.  People can drop off their cards or mail them to the Library, which will collect the cards in a book that will be added to the collection. 

Please join us in reading together, again!

One Book, One Zip Code is a community-wide reading program from adults and teens in Deerfield, Bannockburn and Riverwoods.