I love suggesting books for others to read. In fact, I take the whole endeavor very seriously. In my younger, snobbier days, I actually broke up with a guy because he recommended a terrible book (Not naming the guy or the book!).
Karma soon exacted its justice when my gorgeous film professor - who I had a mad crush on - suggested I read "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace. The cerebral grad student kept trying to engage me on my progress through the 1,079 page book and I eventually had to fess up. It wasn't happening (a combination of not having the time and, frankly, intimidation won out). I literally watched the small flicker of interest in his eyes disappear in a poof.
Outside of these two traumatic cases, recommending books and talking about them is one of the great pleasures in life. Well, my Culture Lusters, this is your chance to suggest a book for the entire city/county of San Diego to read!
One Book, One San Diego, a partnership between KPBS and the San Diego Public Library, will soon choose three books that will contend in a public vote to be chosen as the next One Book, One San Diego selection. The winning book will - hopefully -be read by San Diegans throughout the next year. The public vote begins in July, so right now the committee is trying to decide on the three contenders.
As the committee begins deliberations, we thought we'd solicit some suggestions from our well-read readers.
What books should the committee consider for the next One Book, One San Diego selection?
There are a few requirements. The book needs to be out in paperback with an audio version available. Suggestions should be appropriate for high school students and its themes should resonate with the community. The goal is to have the final book be one we all want to talk about, so it should inspire conversation.
The book can be fiction or non-fiction. All of the past selections have been non-fiction books ("Enrique's Journey," "Three Cups of Tea," "The Zookeeper's Wife," and "Outcasts United").
The committee is made up of local high school teachers, college professors, librarians, and community members. They can't read everything, so let's make sure they have lots of good options at their disposal.
Leave your suggestions in the comments section below - along with why you think your recommendation is a good one. I bet we can create a great reading list for all of us.
