The Big Read is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest that supports community reading programs. The Friends of the Homer Library was one of 62 organizations chosen nationwide to receive a 2023/2024 Big Read grant and for the past several months has been collaborating with the Homer Public Library to create a schedule of events and activities around the novel, “The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter.
This year’s Homer Big Read will focus on the early 20th-century history of the Northwest and Alaska, including the treatment of women, Indigenous peoples, the working poor and free speech. Over a six-week period beginning mid-January, the community is invited to participate in a variety of free events, from live music and theater performances to panel discussions, book clubs, author talks and more.
“By hosting this community read, we hope to promote conversation, curiosity, and engagement with the book, the library, and the southern Kenai Peninsula communities, including Ninilchik south and several communities across Kachemak Bay,” said Cheryl Illg, coordinator for Friends of the Homer Library.
Set during the Free Speech Riots in Spokane during the early 20th century and told from various viewpoints, “The Cold Millions” is a historical novel that addresses the many ways the working poor, women and Indigenous people were and are exploited by rich businessmen, police and the government.
“In this book, Jess Walter explores prior working conditions, unionizing efforts, free speech, environmental pollution, and corruption, — all contemporary themes,” Illg said. “The FHL board chose this title from a list of 15 books offered by NEA Big Read in part for the excellent writing and because we felt that the themes threaded throughout this historic-fiction novel would resonate with our community.”
FHL also chose “The Big Both Ways” by Alaska author John Straley as a companion book to further emphasize the similar time period and thematic connections with Alaskans, including the relocation of Dust Bowlers to communal farms in the Territory of Alaska and the Alaska-Juneau gold mine riot in 1935. “Wobblies!: A Graphic History of the Industrial Workers of the World” is another companion title featuring multiple artists and editors who cover some of the same subject matter by using a combination of text and illustrations to tell the story.
“As Alaskans, we can relate to the themes from “The Cold Millions” by sharing similar histories, including boom-town economy and resource extraction by big corporations,” Illg said. “Other themes threaded throughout the book of free speech and the gap between rich and poor are still relevant nationwide today.”
Illg, along with former Friends Coordinator, Mercedes Harness, worked together to collaborate with organizations throughout the community, including Homer Council on the Arts, Homer Police Department, Homer Public Library, Homer Senior Center, KBBI AM 890, Kenai Peninsula College’s Kachemak Bay Campus, Ninilchik Public Library, MAPP and Pier One Theatre.
“Our events take place in numerous locations across the lower Kenai Peninsula with the hope that more area citizens will access and enjoy the Big Read in different environments,” Illg said.
By hosting community Big Reads, FHL furthers their mission to provide volunteer support for library programs and services, to raise funds that enrich the library experience and to promote the use and enjoyment of the library.
FHL hosted its first Big Read in 2013 when the community read “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. Since that time, they have hosted a community Big Read every two to three years, including “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury in 2015, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” and “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder in 2017 and “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant” by Roz Chast in 2019.
“The response to that first Big Read and every other one has encouraged us to continue on,” Illg said.
All events for the 2023/2024 Homer Big Read are free and everyone is invited to participate in one, several or all.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, Jan. 19, 6-8 p.m. at Alice’s Champagne Palace: Big Read Kick-Off Party — live string-band music with The Banned, featuring musicians Scott Bartlett, Cindy McKenna, Cathy Stingley and Martie Krohn.
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6-7:15 p.m. in the Homer Public Library meeting room: Big Read Book Club Part 1 — Spokane Riots with Jeff Meyers. A four-week book club with a different discussion theme each week led by a local facilitator.
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 9-10 a.m. on KBBI: KBBI Public Radio Book Talk — a live, call-in conversation with host Kathleen Gustafson’s Coffee Table program and community guests discussing themes from The Cold Millions.
Thursday, Jan. 25, 6-7 p.m. at the Homer Public Library Fireplace Lounge: Historical Homer — local freelance writer Clark Fair writes about Homer’s early days in a weekly column in the Homer News and in this discussion will share his research process and several of the historical stories about the people and early days of Homer.
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 6-7:15 p.m. in the Homer Public Library meeting room: Big Read Book Club Part 2 — History of Unions with Michael Hawfield.
Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Homer Public Library Fireplace Lounge: Zoom with Authors — Tom Kizzia will lead a virtual presentation with authors Jess Walter and John Straley in a discussion about common themes from their books.
Friday, Feb. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Homer Council on the Arts: First Friday “Finding Home” — Homer Council on the Arts hosts an opening of their newest exhibit around the theme of finding home, including a conversation about the local housing crisis, facilitated by Hannah Gustafson. Exhibit remains in the gallery through February.
Sunday, Feb. 4, noon to 2 p.m. at Bunnell Street Arts Center: Passages Alaska Workshop — learn about a new high school curriculum, developed with Alaska Natives, that explores the stories, cultures, and identities of Alaska, with interdisciplinary arts.
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6-7:15 p.m. in the Homer Public Library meeting room: Big Read Book Club Part 3 — Indigenous Perspectives with Tasha Dunlap.
Thursday, Feb. 8, 1-2 p.m. at the Homer Senior Center: These Are Our Stories — a book discussion facilitated by Janet Klein followed by seniors’ stories about homesteading days.
Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Homer Public Library: Free Speech Panel — a discussion amongst retired Homer News editor Michael Armstrong, Kachemak Bay Campus historian Jeff Meyer, former reporter and Alaska ACLU lawyer Megan Edge, and others.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-7:15 p.m. in the Homer Public Library meeting room: Big Read Book Club Part 4 — Leading Women with Leah Calhoun.
Thursday, Feb. 15, 2-3 p.m. at the Ninilchik Library: Ninilchik Library Book Circle — tribal Elders and longtime locals will discuss the books and share stories from the early days of the Ninilchik area.
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6-8 p.m. at the Beluga Lake Lodge: “The Cold Millions” on stage with Pier One — enjoy original performances featuring historical speeches and songs from labor movements related to “The Cold Millions.” Pier One director Kathleen Gustafson and musical director Tyler Munns will stage community performances. Seating is limited. Please pre-register for your tickets ahead of time at the Homer Public Library.
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6-8 p.m. at the Beluga Lake Lodge: “The Cold Millions” on stage with Pier One — enjoy original performances featuring historical speeches and songs from labor movements related to “The Cold Millions.” Pier One director Kathleen Gustafson and musical director Tyler Munns will stage community performances. Seating is limited. Please pre-register for your tickets ahead of time at the Homer Public Library.
Monday, Feb. 22, 3-3:50 p.m. at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre and via Zoom: “The Cold Millions,” skits for high school students — Kathleen Gustafson and Tyler Munns will bring ideas and themes from “The Cold Millions” to life with skits for high school students. Visit Friends of the Homer Library website ahead of time for the Zoom link.
If you would like more information or to volunteer for Big Read events, please email cheryl@friendshomerlibrary.org. Find the schedule of events at friendshomerlibrary.org and at the Homer Public Library’s circulation desk. Copies of all three books are available for checkout at the Homer Public Library.
Homer Public Library staff member Teresa Sundmark poses with this year’s NEA Big Read books, “The Cold Millions” and “The Big Both Ways.” Photo provided by Homer Public Library
“The Big Both Ways,” a book by an Alaskan author with themes similar to this year’s NEA Big Read book is available for check-out at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Public Library
“The Cold Millions,” this year’s NEA Big Read book, is available for check-out at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by the Homer Public Library
