Fox Cities Reads

Make the Impossible Possible: One Man's Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary by Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, has been chosen as the 2012 Fox Cities Reads selection.

Strickland is nationally recognized as a visionary leader who authentically delivers educational and cultural opportunities to students and adults within an organizational culture that fosters innovation, creativity, responsibility and integrity.

Throughout Strickland's distinguished career, he has been honored with numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the arts and the community, including the coveted MacArthur “Genius” award. The past several decades have been dedicated to maintaining successful relationships with prominent national foundations and political leaders who share his passion and vision for a healthier future.

Learn more about our author and the book.

Area librarians are inviting Fox Cities residents to get excited about reading and the book selection they have collectively chosen for the 2012 year to engage the community once again in participating in the area's Fox Cities Reads community book read.

The sixth annual event will kick off with an author/book selection announcement on Tuesday, January 31st.

This year's Fox Cities reads is being presented to the community by University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley and the following area public libraries: Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Kimberly, and Little Chute.

"We have chosen an award-winning author and motivational speaker who has an exceptional gift for helping people of all walks of life to dream big," noted Jeff Kuepper, president of the Fox Cities Book Festival.

Brian Kopetsky, community partnerships supervisor for the Appleton Public Library, agreed, adding, "Our excitement over this author's work is palpable and we're hoping the excitement we have as participating libraries for this year's community read will be shared by the public."

The three-month long Fox Cities Reads will culminate in April, when this year's author visits participating libraries for scheduled presentations on April 16, 17, and 18.

The author's presentations will be held in conjunction with the area's fifth annual Fox Cities Book Festival.

We hope you had a chance to enjoy one (or more!) of Urrea's presentations in the Fox Cities this week. If not, never fear! Check out some of our videos from the events. Here's a sample:

More are available on YouTube.

Our 2011 author, Luis Alberto Urrea,  arrives in the Fox Cities today! We welcome him to our communities and look forward to his presentations. Be sure to watch the Events page for details on where he'll be and when.

Today also marks the first day of the Fox Cities Book Festival. Go to http://www.foxcitiesbookfestival.org for more information.

The Post-Crescent's Live Stream Newsmakers recently interviewed Michael Kenney, Gretchen Raab, and Will Bloedow about the Fox Cities Book Festival. Take a look at the video (look for "Fox Cities Book Festival" in the small video clips and click play). About 15 minutes into the video, Kenney talks about Fox Cities Reads and our 2011 author.

Be sure to check out the Events page for a list of book discussions available to you! These events begin in March and lead right up to Urrea's visit to the Fox Cities during National Library Week in April. All events are free and open to the public.

Get to know our author! In this video, he gives a little background about his life in order to explain why he writes about borders.

Ever wonder how Fox Cities Reads was started? Read "Fox Cities Reads - How It Started and Where It's Going" by Michael Kenney on our About Us page to find out.

We will be announcing the 2011 national best-selling author and book selections on January 19th.   Here are a few clues:  This person is the author of several highly acclaimed works of fiction and poetry.  This author was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction.  A recipient of a Lannan Literary Award, an American Book Award and a Kiriyama Prize.  Another clue: One of the author’s featured books for this year’s Reads’ was selected as one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times Book Review, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Tribune. Stay-tuned!

"One book" community reading programs bring people together through the reading and discussion of a common book. Fox Cities Reads, in particular, also brings the author of the selected book to the Fox Valley to further enhance community discussions and participation in the program.

"People can go for days at a time not talking to anyone outside their immediate family. There are precious few opportunities for people of different ethnic background, economic levels or ages to sit down together and discuss ideas that are important to them. This project provides that opportunity."
- Nancy Pearl, Washington Center for the Book

We hope you will embrace the author and books selected for the 2011 Fox Cities Reads and join in the discussions taking place in the coming months.