Book Announced For 2024 'Greenwich Reads Together' Event

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Library recently annouced the book for its "Greenwich Reads Together" (GRT) event this summer.

The book is "James" by Percival Everett. The novel was an instant New York Times bestseller, and it's an action-packed reimagining of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.

"When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan," according to the book's description on Amazon. "Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond."

Greenwich Reads Together is a community-wide reading experience that engages all of Greenwich in exploring a book.

The event culminates in an author visit in the fall. Everett, a distinguished professor of English at USC, will speak in the Berkley Theater at Greenwich Library on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Registration will open in September, according to the library, and the event will also be livestreamed on the library’s YouTube channel. A recording will be available after the event to registered patrons only.

This year’s title was chosen by the GRT Selection Committee, led by Peterson Business Librarian Siobhan Schugmann.

To be selected, the book must be of literary quality, reflective of universal issues and capable of generating thought-provoking discussions, Greenwich Library noted in a news release.

The chosen book must lend itself to engaging public programs and appeal to a diverse population. It also needs to be currently in print and available in large quantities and in multiple formats, including eBook, audiobook, and large print.

Previous GRT selections include "Solito" (2023); "Olga Dies Dreaming" (2022); "Deacon King Kong" (2021); "Just Mercy" and "Mountains Beyond Mountains" (2020); "Fahrenheit 451" (2019); "Code Girls" (2018); "News of the World" (2017); "Station Eleven" (2016); "Americanah" (2015); "The Boys in the Boat" (2014); "When the Emperor Was Divine" (2013); "Zeitoun" (2012); and "The Book Thief" (2011).

For more information about "James," books for younger readers, interviews with the author, reviews, discussion guide, and more, click here.