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Linn Area Reads selects Perry’s Population: 485

The planning committee for the annual community reading program known as Linn Area Reads has selected Population: 485 by author and humorist Michael Perry for the 2010 edition of the program. Perry will read from the book on Saturday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids. The reading is one of several Linn Area Reads events scheduled between now and May.

The reading will also be part of this year’s edition of Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series. In addition to Perry, the series will feature appearances by Allan Gurganus, Lisa Scottoline, Charlaine Harris and Sarah Prineas.

All Linn Area Reads and Out Loud! Author Series events are free and open to the public. Both are programs of the Metro Library Network, which is made up of the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha Public Libraries.

“Last year’s collaboration between Linn Area Reads and Out Loud! was such a success that we wanted to keep that momentum going,” says Rob Cline, series coordinator and a member of the Linn Area Reads planning committee. “Michael Perry is a perfect fit for both programs.”

Population: 485 is subtitled Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time. The book features Perry’s adventures as a member of the volunteer fire and rescue department in New Auburn, Wis. It is filled with colorful characters, real emergencies and the quirkiness of a small Midwestern town.

Perry will read from Population: 485, take questions from the audience and sign books during his May 15 appearance.

Additional Linn Area Reads programs will feature conversations with local fire and rescue personnel on their experiences, a panel discussion on the vibrancy of small towns, a program on the history of firefighters and EMTs, and a session on fire safety.

In addition to Population: 485, Perry is the author of Truck: A Love Story and Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting.

Allan Gurganus is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and is a visiting faculty member in the program for the 2010 spring semester. He is perhaps best known as the author of Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tell All which spent eight months on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a television production that collected four Emmy Awards. Gurganus will read from his work, take audience questions and sign books on Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

Bestselling author Lisa Scottoline is the author of 18 books, including Think Twice, the latest entry in her series featuring characters from the law firm Rosato & Associates, which will be released in March. Among other honors, she has received the Edgar Award, the most prestigious award given by the Mystery Writers of America. Scottoline will read from Think Twice, take audience questions and sign books on Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

Charlaine Harris is the author of the hugely popular Sookie Stackhouse novels which are the basis of HBO’s acclaimed series “True Blood.” The next entry in the series, Dead in the Family, will be released in May. Harris, who is also the author of several other popular series, will speak about the creative writing process, take audience questions and sign books on Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

Sarah Prineas, who makes her home in Iowa City, is the author of The Magic Thief fantasy series for young readers. The books, which feature a boy who goes from a life on the streets to a life of magic, have received numerous honors. The third entry in the series, The Magic Thief: Found, will be released in May. Prineas will read from the latest book, take audience questions and sign books on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

More information about both Linn Area Reads and the Out Loud! Author Series is available here.

Linn Area Reads is supported by Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Cole Library, East Central Library Services, Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Friends of the Hiawatha Public Library, Friends of the Marion Public Library, The Gazette, the Giacoletto Foundation, Hancher Auditorium, Linn County Library Consortium, Lisbon Public Library and the Metro Library Network.

Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series is supported by the Giacoletto Foundation with media support from The Gazette and event book sales provided by Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Additional support for Lisa Scottoline’s appearance has been provided by Bradley & Riley PC, Rush & Nicholson PLC, and Gray, Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC.

Linn Area Reads 2010 events:

History of Firefighting
Saturday, February 27, 2 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library

Gazette Forum Discussion on Small Town Life & Challenges
Tuesday, March 9, 7 p.m.
Lisbon’s Heritage Hall

Book Discussion
Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Barnes & Noble

Fire Safety
Saturday, April 3, 2 p.m.
Hiawatha Public Library

EMT & Firefighter Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m.
Marion Public Library

Meet the Author: Michael Perry
Saturday, May 15, 2 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids

Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series 2010 Events:

Allan Gurganus
Saturday, April 17, 7 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids
www.allangurganus.com

Lisa Scottoline
Saturday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids
www.scottoline.com

Michael Perry
Saturday, May 15, 2 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids
www.sneezingcow.com

Charlaine Harris
Friday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids
www.charlaineharris.com

Sarah Prineas
Saturday, June 26 2 p.m.
Theatre Cedar Rapids
www.sarah-prineas.com