March 16, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, Public Services, (310) 458-8640
                 susan.annett@smgov.net

Santa Monica Citywide Reads, a program that invites residents and visitors to Santa Monica to read the same book concurrently to create a "citywide" book club, takes place April 17 to May 1.

The 2004 selection is Christopher Isherwood's The Berlin Stories (published by New Directions). The acclaimed author was born in England in 1904 and lived in Santa Monica from 1939 until his death in 1986. The year 2004 marks the centennial of his birth, and participation in Citywide Reads enables the community to celebrate one of its own literary and cultural figures.

Comprised of two related novels, The Last of Mr. Norris and Goodbye to Berlin, The Berlin Stories is Isherwood's fictionalized account of his experiences as a young man in Berlin during the freewheeling, tumultuous Weimar period that led up to World War II. A prolific and diverse writer, Isherwood's tales of Berlin are his best-known work and were the basis for the stage and screen musical Cabaret.

Sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library, the Friends of the Library, and community, educational, and business partners, Citywide Reads invites participation in the following moderator-led public book discussions:

• Monday, April 19 - 7 p.m., Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 1426 Montana Ave. #5.

• Tuesday, April 20 - 1:30 p.m., Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street, Room 100.

• Thursday, April 22 - 7 p.m., Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf,  200 Santa Monica Blvd.

• Monday, April 26 - 7 p.m., Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf,  3150 Ocean Park Blvd.

• Tuesday, April 27 - 7 p.m., Borders Books & Music, 1415 Third Street Promenade

• Wednesday, April 28 - 7 p.m., Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 2901 Main Street.

• Thursday, April 29 - 7 p.m., Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave.

• Saturday, May 1 - 11 a.m., Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd.

Participation is also encouraged for those who already belong to a book club by reading The Berlin Stories and discussing it with their group using a Citywide Reads Resource Guide.  The guide includes background information about the author, the book and discussion questions and is available at all Santa Monica Public Library branches or.

Special Citywide Reads programs include:

• "Isherwood in Context," a panel presentation by experts on Isherwood and Weimar Germany on Saturday, April 17, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the  Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Avenue.

• "Cabaret Night at the Pier," featuring a screening of the award-winning 1972 film Cabaret, introduced by Isherwood scholar Chris Freeman, on Friday, April 30, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Arcadia, 250 Santa Monica Pier.

• "Jazz in the World between the Wars," performed by the jazz ensemble Moondance, on the Ocean Stage from 2:05 to 2:45 p.m. as part of the Santa Monica Festival on Saturday, May 1, at Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd. 

Citywide Reads book discussions and events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Santa Monica Public Library (310) 458-8600, or visit www.smpl.org/cwr.

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