THE
BIG READ
NEA's The Big Read: Quincy & the Little Read Get your FREE copy of Station Eleven during The NEA Big Read: Quincy Kick Off on Thursday, Sept. 13 at Quincy Public Library! The Little Read includes The Big Dark for upper elementary ages and Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin for the youngest readers. During the kick off you'll hear from speakers, watch performances and listen to live music! NEA'S BIG READ: QUINCY KICKOFF Thursday, Sept. 13, 4–6 pm Quincy Public Library “The Big Read Kick Off is the prelude to a month’s worth of exciting programs for all ages designed to bring the book selections to life and to spark discussion within our community,” said Ruth Cuthbertson, Marketing and Events Librarian at QPL. This year's adult selection, Station Eleven follows the "Traveling Symphony," a band of thespians and musicians making their way on tour 20 years after a global pandemic decimates 95 percent of the Earth’s population. Despite that macabre-sounding introduction, author Emily St. John Mandel describes the book as ultimately and intentionally a hopeful novel.
6
artsquincy.org
Readers queue to receive their free books at last year’s NEA Big Read: Quincy kick off. Submitted photo.
National Public Radio’s reviewer said “While reading the book, you can't help looking around yourself, and thinking, ‘Everything is a miracle.’” Station Eleven contends that “Survival is insufficient,” and that music, art and personal connections make life worth living.
library’s check out desk as long as supplies last. “The NEA Big Read: Quincy is very much a community effort, with multiple events hosted in various locations throughout the month,” Cuthbertson said. “Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Quincy Art Center, Quincy Public and Parochial Schools, Arts Quincy, as well as Quincy University are all hosting NEA Big Read programs.”
The Big Dark, by Rodman Philbrick, is told from the point of view of a middle schooler who must risk his life to save his mother after a solar event that knocks out all electricity on the planet. Quincy Art Center will be exhibiting The Big Dark explores similar themes artwork made as Station Eleven from recycled and and describes a NEA Big Read: Quincy reclaimed material difficult topic that broadens our understanding in Salvage Salon. ultimately resolves of our world, our communities, The exhibit opens with hope. The Aug. 31, page-turning and ourselves through the joy Friday, with a reception Newbery-Honored of sharing a good book. on Friday, Sept. 28 book explores at 7 pm. Quincy the personal Public Library connections that will be at ArtFest drive us in the decisions we make. on Saturday, Sept. 15 with musical Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, by Lloyd Moss, crafts for children to make and take highlights musical instruments and home. Quincy Art Center’s traveling orchestras with charming illustrations interactive Sound and Light exhibit and fun rhymes, to play off the will be displayed on the front lawn of “Traveling Symphony” idea in the library on Thursday, Oct. 4 and Station Eleven. Friday, Oct. 5. View the details on page 26 and et more information online at If you can’t make it to the kick off, quincyartcenter.org. you can pick up your free book at the
