First, if you haven’t yet voted for your favorite novel in The Great American Read campaign, do it right now by clicking this link (we’ll wait…). Now that you’ve taken care of that, here are some NPT and A Word on Words tie-ins to the national program that you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
On TV
Episodes of The Great American Read continue weekly on NPT through Oct. 23. Upcoming shows cover literature’s “Villains & Monsters” (Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.) and “Other Worlds” (Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.) and other themes. In addition to that series, we’re showing two companion programs that explore literary traditions. What Makes a Great Book, airing Thursday, Sept. 27, at 9 p.m., delves into character, plot and style. This episode includes excerpts from NPT’s A Word on Words interviews with authors John Boyne, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Mohsin Hamid, as well as with poet Billy Collins.
Authors and Their Hometowns, airing Thursday, Sept. 27, at 9:30 p.m., visits the hometowns and stories of Harper Lee, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jane Austen and others. An excerpt from NPT’s A Word on Words interview with John Boyne is used in this episode.
Southern Festival of Books
Stop by NPT’s Great American Read booth at the Southern Festival of Books, Oct. 12 – 14, at Legislative Plaza. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite novel, get a copy of the list of the top 100 books, pose for photos with various props, and collect posters, bookmarks and pins. You’ll also be able to register for a chance to win a Great American Read-themed gift basket from NPT.
On the final day of the festival, join NPT for “The Great American Read” panel discussion on Sunday, Oct. 14, noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Downtown Nashville Public Library auditorium. The session will include a brief screening of an episode of The Great American Read, followed by a discussion with Washington Post book editor Ron Charles; indie bookseller and author Joelle Herr; author Bernice L. McFadden; and bookseller and author James Mustich. We’ll give away another themed gift basket at the Sunday panel discussion.
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