Matthew Quick, author of the 2013 Princeton Reads selection “The Silver Linings Playbook,” is set to appear in the culminating event of the community-wide reading program at John Witherspoon Middle School Nov. 15, 2013.
Princeton Public Library is set to kick off a community-wide reading program with a family run and pep rally Oct. 20
The Princeton Reads program encourages community members to read and discuss a selected book. This year’s selection is The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.
The sixth Princeton Reads selection, The Silver Linings Playbook explores mental illness, the importance of family and community, “silver linings” and classic literature through the story of Pat Peoples, a former high school history teacher who has been recently released from a mental health facility. As Pat attempts to win back his estranged wife by adopting both a rigorous workout regimen and a philosophy of being “kind instead of right,” he finds that his life is transformed through a series of encounters with family members and friends old and new. Along the way, his path leads from the stands of Philadelphia Eagles home games to the floor of an unusual ballroom dance competition.
On Oct. 20, the program kicks off with a Family Fun Garbage Bag Run at 10 a.m. Mayor Liz Lempert, Princeton High School principal Gary Snyder, John Witherspoon Middle School principal Jason Burr and other Princeton notables are set to lead the run from PHS to Hinds Plaza.
Garbage bags, like the one worn by Pat Peoples in The Silver Linings Playbook, will be provided at the starting line.
Children 10 and under may ride scooters and bikes. Strollers and wagons are also welcome.
Participants in the run will be entered into a drawing for a voucher for two tickets to a 2013 Princeton University football home game of their choice.
A pep rally for the runners is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Hinds Plaza. The rally includes marching bands, a tailgate party and prizes. In addition to 50 pompoms, Princeton University has donated 100 tickets to the Nov. 2 game against Cornell that will be given out during the pep rally and other Princeton Reads programs.
Events continue at 12:30 p.m. with a Football Fanatics Competition on Hinds Plaza. Participants are challenged to dress in their best game-day uniform to show support for their favorite team. A panel of judges will determine the winner.
The kick off is scheduled to close with a screening of the Philadelphia Eagles/Dallas Cowboys game 1 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. The showdown of these division rivals had a special significance for Pat and his family in both the novel and the Oscar-winning film version of the book.
In addition to several Silver Linings Playbook discussions and screenings, Princeton Reads programs include dance lessons, a cooking demonstration and speakers.
Princeton Reads culminates with an appearance by Quick at the John Witherspoon Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Nov.15. During the appearance, the author will discuss The Silver Linings Playbook and his latest novel for young adults, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock.
More than a hundred copies of The Silver Linings Playbook will be available to borrow from the library during Princeton Reads.
More information is online at princetonlibrary.org
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