West Hollywood Prepares for ‘The Big Read’ in April

This April, the City of West Hollywood will once again embrace The Big Read, a community-wide celebration of reading and expanding literacy through the arts.

Special events and book discussions through the month will revolve around this year’s featured book, Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451. Many of The Big Read events will be held at the .

“The Big Read will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the West Hollywood Library, which has steadily grown as a vibrant community gathering place since its opening last fall,” said Andrew Campbell, cultural affairs administrator for the city, in a statement.

The Big Read kicks off Saturday, Mar. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West Hollywood Library Auto Court, and will feature a "pop up" theater piece by Unbound Productions. Copies of Fahrenheit 451 will also be available to attendees.

The will open its doors officially for the first time Saturday. The organization has donated 500 new copies of Fahrenheit 451. Books will be given away on the streets of West Hollywood on World Book Night, April 23, as part of the “Taking It To The Streets” worldwide initiative.

Among the events scheduled for West Hollywood’s The Big Read is "The Man Behind The Masterpiece," a special lecture and presentation about Ray Bradbury given by his biographer, Sam Weller. The lecture will take place on April 11 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at the library.

The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society will present the panel discussion, "Science Fiction and the Enduring Influence of Ray Bradbury," on April 28 at 4 p.m. The society was founded in 1934, and is the world’s oldest continually active science fiction and fantasy club.

PEN Center USA will present a panel discussion entitled “Censorship Today and the Enduring Legacy of Fahrenheit 451” on April 30 at 7 p.m. Confirmed panelists include Los Angeles Times book critic David Ulin, Hector Tobar, Diane Lefer and Leslie Schwartz.

Parking with for all events and discussions at the West Hollywood Library will be available at the five-story West Hollywood Park/Library Parking Garage at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. (enter from Robertson Boulevard at El Tovar Place).

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