On Sep. 12 at 7 p.m., Bloomsburg’s English department will hold a screening of PBS’
“The Great American Read” in Centennial 218.
Coming to viewers this fall is a TV show special sure to warm the hearts of book-lovers across the nation. Beginning Sep. 11, the PBS television network is setting out on the trek to find America’s most beloved novel. Viewers can find the series airing every Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. until its final episode on Oct. 23.
The television program is entitled, “The Great American Read.” The show is to be hosted by journalist and TV personality Meredith Vieira. The program encompasses eight parts, each offering a unique look at America’s notable novels and exploring the history of literature in The States.
Ultimately, the series is on a quest to determine what novel America holds closest to its heart: “The Great American Read.”
The launch episode of the series that premiered on May 22 revealed a list of 100 novels that were selected by a country-wide survey. With the reveal of this list, book-lovers can now vote and determine which book will be victorious. The series is entirely viewer directed, letting those at home decide the winner that will be announced during the grand finale.
Readers can vote via text, a voting application located on The Great American Read’s webpage, or by using the designated hashtag for their favored novel on social medias. A list of the hashtags for each of the 100 books can be found on their website. Voting is open to the public now.
The remaining episodes will be made up of themed segments. These episode themes include “Who Am I?,” “Villains & Monsters,” “Heroes,” “Other Worlds” and “What We Do For Love.” These episodes will delve deeper into the texts on the 100-book list.
Of the selected 100 novels, reading-enthusiasts will find titles that have been hot topics throughout America’s literary existence. Viewers will come to find that the extensive list of books is a true testament to how America’s choice of literature has moved and inclined our country to create and educate.
The list is made up of Pulitzer Prize recipients, banned titles, fiction with daring heroines and writers from across the globe.
On Oct. 23, during the airing of the final episode, “The Great American Read” will divulge what the country decided to be the most beloved novel.
Bloomsburg University’s English department will be holding a campus screening of the series on Wednesday, Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. The episode “Heroes” will be the episode screened and will be held in the Centennial 218. WVIA personality Chris Norton will be at the event to introduce the PBS program.
Whether your favorite read is YA fiction “Twilight” or classic “Pride and Prejudice,” be sure to cast your vote in this battle between books!
J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series is one of many classics vying
for the title of “The Great American Read.”
