Today's show features Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, chosen by the Iowa Librarian's Association for All Iowa Reads, 2006. Beginning in 1956, Gilead is a letter written by the aging Rev. John Ames, to his grandson. In conjunction with the Hampton Public Library, The Kaleidoscope is sponsoring All Hampton Reads featuring Gilead for the month of August.

Gilead won the Nation Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, and more recently, the Pulitzer. Author Marilynne Robinson teaches at The University of Iowa's Writers Workshop in Iowa City, Iowa.

On-line listeners of The Reading Room are invited to send their comments of the book to [email protected]. Comments received before August 20 may be shared in the local discussions scheduled for later in the month.

Purchase Gilead on-line at ourfocusisyou.com. E-mail Keri for additional information, discussion schedule, or bulk ordering information.

-- Keri Holmes, The Kaleidoscope: Our Focus is You.