Anytime we embark on a one-book reading program, I ask myself what I think the community will get out of the title we select. In the case of The Things They Carried, I hoped that multiple generations would have a common ground to begin sharing their own stories. As a member of the steering committee, even …
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Why The Big Read is Important to Me
By Eva Dean Folkert I have never been one for war stories. I don’t read them, won’t watch them, and hardly listen to them either. The heft of the subject matter is too heavy for me to bear; it weighs down my heart and tears at my soul. So I just simply avoid it. I …
Recap of Last Week’s Events
Thank you to all who joined us for the documentary Naneek last Wednesday night in Graves Hall. It was great to see you there! If you missed us and would like to find out more information, Naneek’s site is a great resource for you to learn more about Tim ‘Naneek’ Keenan’s experience of returning to the “country …
Tuesday Tucks Me In- Children’s Event at Herrick District Library
Thank you to all who joined us last night with Luis Carlos Montalvan, former U.S. Army Captain and New York Times bestselling author, and his service dog Tuesday at Herrick District Library for a reading of his bestselling book, “Tuesday Tucks Me In.” He spent 17 years as part of the US Army from 1990-2007 and …
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The Legacy of Their Burdens- Dr. Fred Johnson
Thank you to all who joined us tonight to hear Dr. Fred Johnson, an Associate Professor of History from Hope College, guide us through Vietnam’s history up to America’s engagement in the war and an overview of the historical context surrounding the novel “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. Dr. Johnson served as a Communications-Electronics …
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Barnes and Noble Book Vouchers
Want to support The Big Read Holland by reading a stack of new books? Download this link to access vouchers that donate a percentage of your purchase at Barnes and Noble to The Big Read Holland Area. Offer valid only at the Barnes and Noble located on Felch Plaza in Holland. Thank you for your …
It’s about community
Reading transports us. It allows us to peek into another world. It stretches our imagination and asks us to consider another point of view. For one person, reading can open a mind or grow a heart. For a whole community? Reading can change lives. When The Big Read came to the Holland Area in 2014 I admired …
Barnes & Noble Book Fair
And we’re off! Thank you to all who have already attended events for The Big Read Holland Area this season. It was been wonderful to hear your stories and testimonies from the Vietnam War and the book The Things They Carried. We’d like to continue the conversation in a big way. Join us at Barnes & Noble …
Member Monday – Sara DeVries
I love spending time in the intersection between my community as it is now and what the community dreams to become. That might look like helping someone discover and describe a calling in his/her life, welcoming children and families into our home to work on a project that builds community while helping people get to …
On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam
We had a great turnout for The Big Read’s kickoff event, On Two Fronts:Latinos & Vietnam, at the Knickerbocker Theater last night. Thanks to all who attended! We look forward to seeing you at future events. For those of you who were unable to make it, here’s a brief synopsis of the film: The memoirs …