Plymouth Reads has announced its 2014 book selection – Holiday Inn by Minnesota author Kevin Kling, a storyteller who narrates his past holiday experiences through humor.

A program in its fifth year, Plymouth Reads works to promote public literacy and participation through the selection of one book annually, to be read by all who participate in the community. Its mission is to spark conversation, find common ground, and foster learning and discovery in Plymouth by rallying readers around a single book.

Plymouth Reads is sponsored by the Plymouth Arts Council, Friends of the Plymouth Library, Hennepin County Library-Plymouth and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Community Copies of this year’s book selection will be available at the Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave. N., courtesy of Friends of the Plymouth Library.

Residents Invited to Share Their Stories in Six Words
Residents are called upon to get creative – and concise. Plymouth Reads invites residents to share their stories in six-word memoirs. Memoirs will be collected through the month. Watch the video on YouTube.

In past years, feedback from residents who have read the year’s book selection has been highlighted as the most educational and valuable piece of the community program. By encouraging residents to share their stories, the Plymouth Reads committee hopes to foster and continue that community-wide learning and collaboration.

The Plymouth Library and Plymouth Creek Center have set out boxes to collect these mini-autobiographies. They can also be entered online at surveymonkey.com/s/SixWordMemoir. Submissions can be attributed to the author or can remain anonymous.

Examples of six-word memoirs include, “Great career. Nearing retirement. What's next?,” “City girl happy in the suburbs,” “Doing my best. Ever good enough?” and “I can. I can. I can.”

In February, the memoirs will be compiled, given to a designer and printed. Hundreds of them will be on display throughout March and April at the Plymouth Library, Plymouth Creek Center, and other businesses and gathering places in Plymouth.

Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! Plymouth Reads will host the following events throughout the year:

• Kickoff Presentation: 1 p.m. March 23, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave. N. Free.
  To kick off this year’s Plymouth Reads festivities, Plymouth resident and author Dolly Bentson will present “Everybody Has a Story – Writing Memoir.” Bentson will discuss memoirs and answer questions based on her experience writing her own memoir, “Hello, Dolly!”
• Book Discussion: 1 p.m. March 30, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave. N. Free.
  After reading this year’s book selection, “Holiday Inn” by Minnesota author Kevin Kling, the Plymouth community will gather to discuss it.
• Meet the Author: 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 6, Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave. Free.
  Minnesota author Kevin Kling will be featured during the Primavera celebration with his book “Holiday Inn” – this year’s Plymouth Reads book selection. Kling will be available to answer questions and sign books.

For more information about the Plymouth Reads program or its upcoming events, visit plymouthartscouncil.org.