Another book I read this year.

Some of the local libraries have a program they run in October. One community one book. The idea is that everyone reads the book. Maybe they expect people to walk down the street and have the book as a random conversation starter. "You're reading, What is the What? Really, that's what I'm reading right now." Although I'd never heard of it before, this is the third year of the program.

So this year's book is What is the What by David Eggers and Valintino Achek Deng. So they, along with Michale Krazney(sp?) from NPR kicked off this month of reading with a discussion/interview in San Mateo free to the public. I gave up baseball last night and ventured through all the traffic to go see.

I haven't been to a lot of readings or author events before. Usually the book is enough for me. And I'm not really an autograph seeker. This one was interesting for a couple reasons. Val is one of the lost boys from the Sudan. He knows tragedy like you wouldn't believe. But he couldn't write. As he tells it he was giving a talk at a high school in Atlanta about his experience and he realized that he would never be able to reach enough people with his story to make a difference. He needed someone to help him right a book. Someone he was working with put him in touch with David Eggers. For the next four years they collaborated on writing Val's story and the story of his people. All of the proceeds from the book are going to his foundation. He's trying to build schools back in his home country.

Dave and Val have become good friends. Dave just went to visit Sudan a few weeks ago. And through events like this whole read along thing. They are getting their message out. So don't just read this book. Buy a copy.