The Friends of the Hood River County Library announces the postponement of the Hood River Reads 2020 program due to COVID-19. The Friends of the Library is looking forward to holding this program at a later time. Before the temporary closure of the Hood River Library, over five hundred books were distributed to the community.
The Friends encourage patrons to read their copy of The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch and discuss the book with members in their household or by phone or chat program with their friends and neighbors. There are discussion questions at the end of the book to help guide the discussion. Patrons can explore the diversity of marine life from the coast to the greatest depths of the ocean by visiting The Deep Blue Sea, http://neal.fun/deep-sea/. Watch the library website and social media for details about coming Hood River Reads activities.
The Friends of the Library will host events throughout March and April for the 2020 Hood River Reads 
program culminating in a writing workshop on Saturday April 18 at 10:00 a.m. and a visit from the author on Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.Hood River County Reads is a county-wide project sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Their goal is to encourage readers of all ages to read and discuss books. They choose books and authors that reflect the diversity of their community and that will be shared widely with the county’s individuals and families.
On a moonlit night, thirteen-year-old Miles O’Malley, a speed-reading, Rachel Carson-obsessed insomniac out looking for tidal specimens in Puget Sound, discovers a giant squid stranded on the beach. As the first person to see a giant squid alive, he finds himself hailed as a prophet. But Miles is really just a kid on the verge of growing up, infatuated with the girl next door, worried that his bickering parents will divorce, and fearful that everything, even the bay he loves, is shifting away from him. As the sea continues to offer up discoveries from its mysterious depths, Miles struggles to deal with the difficulties that attend the equally mysterious process of growing up. This book is full of lyricism, briny honesty, good humor, and represents the ebb and flow of nature.“In his superb first novel, Olympia’s Jim Lynch has achieved a unique literary Triple Crown: 1) best coming-of-age novel set in the Pacific Northwest in recent memory; 2) best novel to resurrect the writing of the visionary Rachel Carson; 3) best novel to educate people about that mysteriously awesome place where freshwater meets the sea.”-Oregonian
PROGRAM AND EVENTS
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Hood River Library Kick-Off, Saturday, March 7 2-3:30 p.m. Hood River Library Reading Room. Annual Hood River Reads kickoff which will include book distribution, art, a performance by Dick Withers and refreshments.
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Cascade Locks Library and Parkdale Library Kick-Off, Tuesday, March 10, 3-7 pm. Book Distribution
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Makerspace: Hood River’s Giant Squid, Saturday, March 21, 11 am. Hood River Library Makerspace. A Makerspace activity for the whole family.
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Powered by Science: from Rachel Carson to Greta Thunberg Thursday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. Hood River Library Meeting Room. Movie and discussion with Dr. Antonio Baptista.
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Hood River Library Book Club: The Highest Tide, Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. Hood River Library Meeting Room
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Warming of the Gorge and the Impact on Mountains, Mammals, and Humans Saturday, April 4, 2:00 p.m. Hood River Library Reading Room. Presentation by Bill Weiler and Darryl Lloyd
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Earth Month Tree Planting with Bill Weiler April 11 – Saturday 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Barrett Park: Bring shovels and gloves. Parking: Directions: Go straight onto Barrett Dr. from Tucker Rd. at the four way intersection. Go ~1/2 mile. Take the next right (a gravel driveway) after Alameda Dr. into the Barrett Parking area. There you will find a barn, tables and a porta-potty. The planting site in the meadow is a 1-2 minute walk via the Indian Creek Trail. Please bring shovels, and gloves. We’ll have drinks and snacks! For further information please contact Bill Weiler, Trees of the Gorge: Email: theland@gorge.net or by phone: 509-281-0344.
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Writing workshop with author Jim Lynch April 18 – Saturday 10:00 am-12:30 pm. Pre-registration is required and will begin at the kickoff on March 7. Beginning March 7, you may email, call, or visit the library to sign up.
- Public presentation by author Jim Lynch Saturday, April 19, 2 p.m. Hood River Library Reading Room
Hood River County Reads 2006-2019
Hood River County Reads is a county-wide project sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Our goal is to encourage readers of all ages to read and discuss books. We choose books and authors that reflect the diversity of our community and that will be shared widely with our county’s individuals and families. We have been very fortunate that the authors (or, in one case, the author’s son) have been able to come to Hood River to interact with members of the community and to work with students at the schools.
Our program began in 2006 with Hood River native Virginia Euwer Wolff discussing her novel Bat 6 about the Japanese experience after World War II. We encourage you to read and discuss all of the Hood River Reads’ books:
2007: Gonzales and Daughter Trucking Company by Maria Amparo Escandon and Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan.
2008: River Song by Craig Lesley.
2009: Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler.
2010: The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss.
2012: The Circuit/Cajas de carton by Francisco Jimenez.
2013: Ricochet River by Robin Cody and Something to Hold by Katherine Schlick Noe.
2014: Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems by William Stafford.
2015: Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea and Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan.
2016: Martin Marten by Brian Doyle.
2017: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger and Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine.
2018: Moreno. Prieto. Brown by Alejandro Jimenez and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
2019: Temperance Creek by Pamela Royes.