A city-wide literacy initiative will connect readers throughout Ferndale for the month of March as The Big Read showcases "The Maltese Falcon," a 1930s detective novel by Dashiell Hammett featuring a tough and clever detective caught up in a mysterious case involving murder, love and a missing statue of special value.
The Ferndale Public Library has saturated the city with 400 free copies of the book, with some still available at stores, schools and other public places throughout the next month. There will also be over a dozen "Maltese Falcon"-themed events held in the area.
Book discussions will be held in a variety of places, including Affirmations (7 p.m. March 16 and 30), Java Hut (7 p.m. March 15), the Ferndale Public Library (12:30 p.m. March 18), Just 4 Us (1 p.m. March 20), Pinwheel Bakery (2 p.m. March 21), the Kulick Community Center (9 a.m. March 22) and Angel's Cafe (1 p.m. March 24).
The Kickoff Party will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb 27. at the Ferndale Public Library's temporary location at 642 E. 9 Mile. There will be a costume contest, period music and readings from the celebrated book by members of the Ferndale City Council. A book dicussion with the Teen Book Club will be held at the same location earlier that day.
Affirmations is helping to further educate the community by hosting a forum called How to Read and Watch Like a Professor on March 3. "We're having three professors from Wayne State teach people how to really appreciate the media they're consuming, not just how to read by how to analyze it and critique it like a professional," said Darlene Hellenberg, project coordinator for The Big Read.
Hellenberg said this is her first time working with so many groups and businesses, including the LGBT community center. "They're such a big part of the community and this is a great way to reach all the people they serve and get them talking about the book."
Affirmations offers a media center with hundreds of books focusing on and appealing to the LGBT community. They have offered reading groups in the past and occasionally host book signings by prominent LGBT authors. Additionally, they have teamed up with the Royal Oak Barnes & Noble store to bring nationally-renowned authors to the area. "While we've not partnered with the library in the past, we hope to find future endeavors on which to collaborate while serving the Ferndale community," said Affirmations Special Event Manager Carrie Copeland.
The Emory has been warming up Ferndale for the March event by hosting monthly Big Read Book Parties at their restaurant. The book parties have attracted dozens of readers to discuss books like "Fight Club," "The Tender Bar" and "Middlesex." The fourth and final Emory Book Party, discussing "The Maltese Falcon," will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 18.
The Big Read organizers choose "The Maltese Falcon" based on criteria set forth in the National Endowment for the Arts grant, stating particularly that the book appeal to young readers and to a male audience, since leisure reading tends to be more popular among women.
Other fun "Maltese Falcon"-themed events will include improvisational shows at Go! Comedy every Thursday night, which they call Son of The Maltese Falcon. There is also a classic film series at the Kulick Center, and a discussion by local mystery author Loren D. Estleman at The Ferndale High School at 8 p.m. March 25.
Paramount Bank will also be hosting a Big Read Art Exhibit with pieces by local artists inspired by their favorite books. The opening reception will be held 5-8 p.m. March 5.
For more information on these and other Big Read events, visit the Ferndale Public Library Web site at http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us.
