On the Same Page

The concept of everyone in a community reading the same book and participating in discussions is an interesting notion. As long as people aren't frowned upon for not being interested in reading that book or participating in discussions.

One goal of "group read programs" is to "building a sense of community and promote literacy." Another is "to enrich th experience of reading for everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, income or the neighborhood they call home." I can't help but include the entire Prescott community when I think about some practical approach to deciding on a book.

One of my top considerations would be to avoid politics. Keep in mind there are to be discussions of the book. We don't want them to turn into political debate.

Pollitical bias is extremely wide in Prescott. We'll have to avoid attempts to sway "the other side," whatever that may be. There must be topics that everyone can agree on.

The book should be interesting, fun, and be widely available.

My recommendation would be "Coming of Age in the Milky Way" because it not only fulfills these requirements, but because it lays out the history of science. While it does make some religious beliefs seem silly, it also makes some scientific beliefs seem silly as well. But all in all, it makes the reader feel like we are all in this together and seems like a unifying discussion for people of all types.