Book Club Picks

Algonquin Reads!

By Helena Merriam, Algonquin Reads!

The Algonquin Reads project is in full swing!

picture of firefighters carrying boxesThere have been over 88 copies of the book, Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet sold through the First Class Bookstore and it is available in the LRC (Library), in Perth and in Pembroke.

The project was featured in the first edition of The Algonquin Times and radio broadcasting students have three times featured Algonquin Reads as part of their Current Affairs programming.  We have presented to the Dean’s Council, the Academic Council and the English Coordinator Committee.  Our Algonquin Reads spotters have caught over 70 people reading around campus and given out instant prizes.  We had a successful Used Book sale, thanks to the generous donations from everyone across the College. To help with our book sale, we were pleased to have students of the firefighter program come and help carry boxes to the three locations of the book sale.

Thanks again to Randy Foster, Coordinator of the Firefighter program. 

If you missed picking up your raffle tickets for the Algonquin Reads quilt,  tickets are available at the First Class bookstore. A big thanks again to Beth Cameron for making the quilt, donating her time and materials to Algonquin Reads. A photo of the quilt is at the bookstore and can also be seen on our web site.

Events

picture of book Anthem of a Reluctant ProphetAuthor Visit
Joanne Proulx, the author of Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet, came to Algonquin for a book signing at the Bookstore's Customer Appreciation Day. It was a great opportunity to chat with the author and, among other things, learn how she was able to capture the inner world of a teenaged boy so effectively.

Participate in the Algonquin Reads Blog
There is a virtual book club on our blog, where faculty, staff, and students can post comments to weekly discussion questions. Thank you to Ann Mikula for creating these thought-provoking questions. Please visit the blog and encourage your students to do so, at http://algonquincollegereads.blogspot.com  You can also vote on whether you like the book or not! 

We have more events being planned, including our own version of the Post Secret concept, where you can reveal your secrets anonymously. We also hope to work with the bartending program to create the first ever Algonquin Reads cocktail, or mocktail -- The Prophet Slammer,  or the Reluctant Daiquiri perhaps? Stay tuned!

If you are interested in getting involved or if you wish to find out more, please contact Helena Merriam at merriah@algonquincollege.com or Extension 5338.