Idea is for whole town to read — and discuss — the same book

By Cat Mauldin - The Cannon Beach Gazette

Some say it takes a whole village to raise a child. None have said it takes a whole village to read a book.

But local readers and patrons of the Cannon Beach Library would like the whole village of Cannon Beach to read a book, specifically the same book. And the book they have in mind is “A River Sutra,” by Gita Mehta.

The project, which has been coordinated by the newly formed Town Reads Committee, came about several months ago when library manager Shirley Elliott wondered if the idea was feasible in Cannon Beach. Originally a Seattle project, several cities across the country have participated in, or are about to initiate, such programs. The project has many benefits, organizers say.

“We see this as a community-building project and a way to encourage people to read a good book and to have fun,” Elliott said. “We believe this book will also provide readers with an opportunity to learn more about a culture other than our own.”

 That’s particularly true with the committee’s first selection, which tells intersecting stories of love and desire along the banks of the holiest river of India, the Narmada. A “sutra” is a string of stories, and so River Sutra is a series of stories involving extraordinary characters who pass by a guest house on the River Narmada, explained Elliott. The narrator is a bureaucrat who has retired to seek tranquility through reflection. Instead he is confronted by the confusion of a series of paradoxical characters.

The Town Reads Committee — which includes Elliott, Glenn Halak and Diane Amos — admitted that choosing a book posed a challenge. They were looking for one that was well written, short enough to sustain interest, and provocative enough to stimulate discussion. The group also hoped for literature that would provide an experience outside the local provincial
point of view.

 “‘A River Sutra’ more than fulfilled our expectation,” said Elliott. “It’s well written, relatively short, and full of provocative ideas. The culture described is exotic to most local readers, but the book’s themes are universal. That the book takes place on a river is especially appropriate for readers who have chosen to live at the water’s edge.”

Halak, who had read the book years ago, suggested it and Amos (retired English teacher) and Elliott agreed.  “We’re hoping people will discuss the book with others who have read it, and encourage others to read it too,” said Elliott. “Discussions may be spontaneous or formal, depending on readers’
inclinations.”  To help people recognize others who have read the book, the library is furnishing “I’ve read A River Sutra” button to those who finish the book.

The book is available at the Library and Cannon Beach Book Company. Although the project officially kicks off at the Cannon Beach Women and Library Club’s Jan. 10 meeting, the event is ongoing through March 23. Town Reads Committee members hope to cap the event with an Indian dinner and perhaps a concert. They are also working to bring Mehta to Cannon Beach for the event.

The libraries in Seaside and Astoria have jumped on the bandwagon, but local artist Rex Amos was quick to point out that the project originated in Cannon Beach.

 “It’s become quite a fun project,” said Rex Amos. “It’s really becoming quite the deal.”

For more information, contact Elliott at the library at 436-1391 or by e-mail at library@pacifier.com.

(OMED: no doubt after "A River Sutra,"  for their next book about romance on the subcontinent, the Cannon Beach librarian will suggest the Kama Sutra.  We would like to send a reporter to cover the town discussions about that one.) 

Photo and text (C) Cannon Beach Gazette    Reprinted by permission