North Idaho Reads will kick-off “Be the Revolution,” our one
book, one community reading program during Banned Books Week, September 30-October 6.   North Idaho Reads is a partnership of 13 North Idaho public libraries, designed to encourage people to read, think, and talk.   This year we picked Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451 because chills went down our spines when we read it.  Fahrenheit 451 depicts a near future where television families replace human relationships and books are forbidden—not because of government regulation but by society’s passive consent. 

North Idaho Reads programing includes an area-wide “dystopian” film festival, book discussions,
a virtual presentation by science fiction author David Brin,  and a “banned” music concert in partnership
with the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls.  All programs are designed to encourage people
to think and talk about intellectual freedom. 

Independent thinking or refusing to accept the status quo is the first act of every revolutionary.    North Idaho Reads 2012’s marketing slogan is “Be the Revolution,” which is intended to appeal to the millennial generation.  However, one of the things I love about Baby Boomer aged adults is that they naturally “get” this kind of call to action.  Boomers tend to be ready and willing to question the status quo and may even know a thing or two about revolutions.   I’m excited about the possibility of involving multiple generations in discussions about intellectual freedom, dystopian societies, and what it means to “Be the Revolution.”   As you settle down this fall to read a banned or challenged book think about how that makes you a revolutionary.    For more information about North Idaho Reads please see  –  www.NorthIdahoReads.org.