The Great American Read

Here's some television I can get behind: The Great American Read.

What is The Great American Read? It's "an eight-part series on PBS that explores and celebrates the power of reading, as told through the prism of America's 100 best loved books."

I watched episode one last night and I loved it. It's a two hour celebration of books and the power of good books to change lives, with lots of celebrity endorsements of amazing stories. The book list, surprisingly, isn't stuck on Books Your English Teacher in 1965 Wants You To Read; the list includes classics, of course, but it also includes many popular favorites.

You can watch the first episode here, if you missed it.

What books are on the list? Take a look at the complete list here.

But this is not simply a tv show about good books. Interactivity is encouraged. Vote for your favorite book(s). You can vote every day for as many books as you like here. How many books from the list have you read? Take the quiz here. Which novel has had the greatest impact on your life? You can share your story here. Talk about the books at The Great American Read Book Club on Facebook. For more resources for discussion or information, take a look at the PBS Learning Media on the books.

Here is a spreadsheet of the 100 books, if you'd like to make a copy and keep track of your own reads.

I've read 70 of the 100 so far (here's my list), and I'd like, of course, to have read them all. I think I can read the other 30 this summer. I think I'll start today.

Help me celebrate my 10th blogoversary by adding books to my People's List of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die and you may win one of my favorite 100 books!

For more wordless photos, go to Wordless Wednesday.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky at West Metro Mommy Reads.