Everybody Else Is Reading It, So Why Don't We?

Remember If All of Seattle Read the Same Book, the Seattle Public Library-sponsored event wherein, as you might guess, all of Seattle was encouraged to read the same book? (At the same time, no less.)

Well, they changed the name, but this year's go-round is just around the corner. Now it's called Seattle Reads Persepolis, because it's snappy and because this year's book is Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel about growing up in the wake of Iran's Islamist revolution.

The library explains:

Persepolis is a memoir in graphic novel form, the first graphic novel in the eight years of "Seattle Reads." We can't think of a better choice than Persepolis to introduce readers to the format, especially for readers who may have resisted, thinking comic books are for youths.

Satrapi will visit town early in March, the month the schedule of events really gets underway. So why are we telling you this now, in late January?

1) To give you time to order your copy of Persepolis on Amazon.com and still take advantage of free shipping. (Oh, you know you will.)

2) Because the events kick off tomorrow night at the library's Green Lake Branch with a panel discussion featuring Iran experts from the UW Dept. of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and graphic novel experts from Fantagraphics Books.

Persepolis: Iran's 1979 Revolution, Women in Islam, and Graphic Novels
Seattle Public Library: Green Lake Branch
7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N.