Mayor’s Book Club ends with a visit from the Author

In its fifth year, the 2006 Mayor’s Book Club has once again exceeded organizers’ expectations. Since Mayor Wynn announced The Devil’s Highway as the 2006 selection in February, the book has been checked out thousands of times. Hundreds of people have participated in film screenings, a panel discussion, photo and art exhibits, and group book discussions across the city at branch libraries and other venues. The book prompted conversations and discussion about U.S. immigration policy and the experience of immigrant laborers in our local and national undocumented economy from a diverse group of people at these various programs in April.

On April 26 this year’s reading campaign ended with a visit from the author, Luis Alberto Urrea. Luis Alberto met Austinites at a welcoming reception at the Carver Branch and Carver Museum & Cultural Center Theater. Over 200 people attended the reception and program with Mayor Wynn, and Luis captivated the audience for over 2 hours to a standing room only theater.

The City of Austin and the Austin Public Library would like to thank all of our partners and sponsors of this year’s reading campaign: The University of Texas Humanities Institute, Texas Gas Service, the Austin Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Austin Public Library, and area bookstores.

Visit our previous Mayor's Book Club resource guides online:
Spring 2005: Writing Austin's Lives by Metro Austin Residents
Spring 2004: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Spring 2003: Holes by Louis Sachar
Spring 2002: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

To view what other cities across the country are reading visit
The Center for the Book