Nashville Public Library, this spring, will launch the second Nashville Reads, a citywide reading campaign to encourage teens and adults to
read the same book at the same time to create a shared experience of
reading in the city.

The Life of Pi, a novel by
internationally acclaimed author Yann Martel, is the book selection for
Nashville Reads. Martel will present a lecture March 2 at Nashville
Public Library as a kickoff to the event.

“This vibrant novel is a great example of a book that sparks both
imagination and contemplation,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “It’s a great
read, and I encourage teens and adults to join me in Nashville Reads and
participate in community events and discussions.”

Nashville
Reads is a program of the Nashville Public Library and is supported by
many community institutions. It is a partnership between the office of
Mayor Karl Dean, Parnassus Books, Humanities Tennessee, Houghton Mifflin
and the Nashville Public Library Foundation.

There will be moderated book discussions and other events around The Life of Pi, along with a movie showing.

“It is exciting to continue Nashville Reads with such a timely and
thoughtful piece of literature,” said Kent Oliver, Nashville Public
Library director. “The library will once again be center stage as we
delve into a wonderful piece of storytelling.”

Last year’s
inaugural Nashville Reads selection was The Handmaid’s Tale, a novel
by internationally acclaimed author Margaret Atwood. Atwood was the
recipient of the 2012 Nashville Public Library Literary Award, and she
delivered a free public lecture last fall.

About Yann Martel:
Yann Martel was born in Spain in 1963 of Canadian parents. Life of Pi
won the 2002 Man Booker Prize and has been translated into more than 40
languages. A #1 New York Times bestseller, it spent sixty-nine weeks on
the list and was adapted to the screen by Ang Lee.
He is also the
author of the novels Beatrice and Virgil and Self, the collection of
stories The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, and a collection of
letters to the prime minister of Canada, 101 Letters to a Prime
Minister. He lives in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Source: Nashville Public Radio