Fiction brings community together

In the spirit of community collaboration to promote reading, Bloomington residents will come together for the second annual "One Book, One Bloomington" project. The chosen book will be "1984" by George Orwell.\nThe book was chosen among eight others as the top choice Saturday. Public votes were cast throughout the month from ballots in libraries, government buildings, the John Waldron Arts Center, bookstores and online. Sally Gaskill, executive director of the Bloomington Area Arts Council, is pleased with this year's selection.\n"'1984' is especially appropriate for the world in 2003," Gaskill said. "The interesting themes throughout the book provoke great discussion."\nThe book is set in London and describes a totalitarian society and the damaging effects it has on individuals.\nThe story is told from the point of view of Winston Smith, a man who lives in a world of fear in which actions, words or expressions contradictory to the government are punishable by death. "1984" is known for using terms such as "double-speak," "thought police" and "big brother," which are common in the vocabulary of many individuals today. \n"The novel is so chilling," Gaskill said. "In light of our country possibly going to war, the book is just as compelling today as it was when written."\nMichael Simmons, steering committee chairman, said that "1984" lends itself well to discussion of important issues such as the preservation of individual liberties.\n"The book has a great deal of social relevance," Simmons said. "We are hoping that '1984' will give the community a sense of insight into issues that could still apply in our country today."\nThe idea of a city-wide reading project was first implemented in Seattle with the intention of bringing an entire community together. Since then, many cities across the U.S. have created their own reading projects.\nMike McGee, assistant manager at Barnes & Noble, is honored to hold book discussions at his store. He said he believes that fiction gives readers insight to a different world.\n"Reading is so powerful," McGee said. "It is a way for everyone to experience different aspects of life while exploring so many different emotions."\nSimmons said that last year's book, A Lesson Before Dying, was extremely successful, but the reading period only lasted through March. To allow readers more of an opportunity for public discussion, this year's reading period will run through late May.\n"The extra months give community members a better chance to get to know and interact with the reading public," Simmons said.\nBeginning in the next few weeks, public events dealing with the book will be planned through May. During these events, the members of the public will have the opportunity to interact with each other, as well as with local scholars in the fields of literature, political science and law. Local bookstores and libraries have already reserved extra copies of "1984" because Gaskill said that last year's book flew off the shelves.\n"We stocked up on '1984' very early," McGee said. "We are always more than happy to help sponsor and promote anything book-related"