Centre County Reads – the county’s community read program – has been going strong since 2003. Each year, the Center for American Literary Studies at Penn State, Centre County Library & Historical Museum, Schlow Centre Region Library, and Pennsylvania Center for the Book work together to bring the county together to read and discuss one book. The chosen book is intended to allow us all to explore the human condition and current issues together.

For the 2024 program, the Centre County Reads committee has chosen the book, “The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb. The novel is a thrilling story about a Black classical musician and the race to retrieve his priceless family heirloom violin on the eve of a classical music competition. You can borrow standard and large print copies of the novel at the Bellefonte Library and digital copies on the Libby App with your library card. If you don’t have a library card yet, now is the perfect time to get one!

The majority of events for the 2024 Centre County Reads program will be happening this month. Most notably for Bellefonte residents, the Bellefonte Library will be hosting book clubs, a film talk, and storytimes related to “The Violin Conspiracy.” A music-themed take-and-make craft will also be available at the library throughout the month of March. On March 20th,  from 7 PM-8PM, Brendan Slocumb will join our community for a virtual discussion moderated by Dr. Marica S. Tacconi, Distinguished Professor of Musicology from Penn State. To register for the Brendan Slocumb virtual visit and see a full list of events, check the Centre County Reads website at https://www.centrecountyreads.org/events. 

Centre County Reads Events Will Occur Throughout March