Tobias Wolff is new guest author for Whatcom Reads

DEAN KAHN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Last spring's guest author for the Whatcom Reads program was Sherman Alexie, whose coming-of-age novel, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," is set on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

Featured author for the next Whatcom Reads is Tobias Wolff, the author of "Old School," another coming-of-age story. In the novel, a teenager at an Eastern prep school steeped in literature and quiet competition commits the sin of plagiarism, with unexpected impacts on others.

For many Northwest residents, Wolff is best known for "This Boy's Life," his memoir about growing up in Skagit County. The book was made into a popular movie starring Robert De Niro and a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

COURTESY | FOR THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

With Whatcom Reads, community members are encouraged to read the same book and to attend related events, especially a talk by the author. A Stanford University professor, Wolff plans to visit Bellingham in February for two talks, one for the public and one for students.

In preparation, local libraries and bookstores are setting aside extra copies of "Old School," and people can seek free "read-and-release" copies at bookcrossing.com.

Last year, organizers used a one-time, $14,000 state grant to initiate Whatcom Reads with Alexie. This year, they won a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Under "The Big Read" program at NEA, communities choose a book from a list of 30, many of whose authors are dead. Local organizers picked "Old School," in part, because Wolff could visit, and because "This Boy's Life" gives him extra credibility with Northwest readers.

"We were hoping that might be a draw," said Christine Perkins, assistant director of Bellingham Public Library.

The NEA grant includes reader and school guides about "Old School," audio CDs, and promotional materials.

Special local activities are in the works to encourage people to read and discuss "Old School." Ideas include staging a writing contest, organizing a panel talk by prep school alumni, working with reading clubs, and encouraging people to talk about the novel through their house of faith.

"It deals with some religious identity issues," Perkins said, "and also about deceit and plagiarism and dishonesty."

TO PARTICIPATE

What: Whatcom Reads talk by Tobias Wolff, author of "Old School" and "This Boy's Life."

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2010.

Where: Whatcom Community College, Syre Center, 237 W. Kellogg Road.

Details: whatcomreads.org.

Read and release books: bookcrossing.com.