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The Ultimate Book Group

Read in order to live - Gustave Flaubert

Community Reads brings together members of a community and one or more books at the same time.

Ideally, a ‘community reads’ or ‘big read’ leads to mass community participation:

• read one or more of the four selected titles;
• attend the writer visits;
• engage your fellow citizens in discussion on the writers, their books and the issues raised in reading the particular title.

Here are a dozen inspiring ways to maximise your enjoyment and learning throughout the ‘Community Reads’ period (16th July to 31st October):

• Read one or more of the titles;
• Explore the history of whaling, both in New Zealand and internationally and the current issues surrounding whaling;
• Learn about Rita Angus, a pioneer of modern New Zealand painting, and the world of NZ painting generally;
• Join the Rita Angus trip to see the exhibition at the Te Papa, guided by Jill Trevelyan, the author of Rita Angus;
• Risk exploring the kindness of strangers for four months;
• Contribute your thoughts to the ‘Community Reads’ website;
• Turn the TV off and read – feel the difference!
• Read something you would not usually read;
• Win a prize for participating in the ‘Community Reads’ event;
• Practise the art of conversation throughout the three-month period;
• Read and buy Kiwi books! and
• Explore black humour with Duncan Sarkies.

Above all:

       enjoy yourself
         learn something
           banish the winter blues
and as Flaubert says LIVE!!!!!