TUNKHANNOCK — The 2016 Wyoming County Reads program, presented for the 13th year by the Dietrich Theater and the Tunkhannock Public Library, will feature two books by Harper Lee: “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Go Set a Watchman.”

Book discussions are scheduled for 7 p.m. every Wednesday in February at the Tunkhannock Public Library, with a showing of the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” at 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at the Dietrich Theater. The program is free and sponsored by sponsored by the Wyoming County Commissioners Judy Mead, Tom Henry and Ron Williams.

Harper Lee’s newly-published book “Go Set a Watchman” generated a lot of controversy for its different depiction of a beloved hero.

Robert Crum, literary critic of “The Guardian,” wrote, “Once the dust has settled, ‘Watchman’ will be seen for what it is: a literary curiosity and a fascinating illustration of the mysterious pathways of the creative imagination. ‘Watchman’ is also an apt reminder of Lee’s imaginative wellspring: the traumatic history of the American south.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” was the first book chosen for Wyoming County Reads in 2003. Bringing it back for discussion enables new readers to experience it, but it also gives those who have read it a chance to look at it in a new light.

Discussions at the Tunkhannock Public Library will be led by Bill Chapla, former high school English teacher, and Dr. Marnie Hiester and Dr. James Calderone of Misericordia University.

Chapla will discuss “Coming of Age Novels (Bildungsroman)” at 7 p.m. Feb. 3, “Heroes and Humans: A Study of Atticus Finch” at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 and “Mockingbird to Watchman: You Can’t Go Home Again or Can You?” at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Hiester and Calderone will tackle “Hatred, Prejudice & Ignorance vs. the Human Capacity for Goodness” at 7 p.m. Feb. 24.

For more information about the program, call 570-996-1500.

The Dietrich Theater and Tunkhannock Public Library’s Wyoming County Reads 2016 project will feature Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Go Set a Watchman.’
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_ABJ-Reads.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Dietrich Theater and Tunkhannock Public Library’s Wyoming County Reads 2016 project will feature Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Go Set a Watchman.’ Submitted artwork

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Dietrich Theater.