Flash Mob Ushers in Ferndale Reads
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 10, 2013)
Dozens of Ferndale residents began congregating around the stage of the Rust Belt Market at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon as other shopper milled about, unaware of the spectacle they were about to witness.
Suddenly those in the know whipped out copies of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse 5 and began to read in-sync the first couple of pages. Others watched and then picked up free copies of the book themselves.
It was all part of the Ferndale Public Library’s kick off for the Ferndale Reads Program. Each year the Library secures hundreds of copies of a book to share with members of the community. Residents read the book at the same time, and attend 
discussion groups, parties, comedy shows based off the book, and author talks all around the book of choice.
Darlene Hellenberg, organizer of the event, said that Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5 had many elements that made it a good choice – including some science fiction, history and insights into writing.
There are a couple of weeks to read the book, and in March the celebrations begin.
Confirmed Ferndale Reads Events include:
Mid-March through April – For the Love of Reading Art Exhibition – Ferndale Library
Thu. Mar. 7 – Go Comedy Performs a Show inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five – 261 E 9 Mile Rd- 8:00 pm
Wed. Mar. 13 – Science Fiction Book Club – 7:30 pm –Ferndale Public Library
Thu. Mar. 14 – Go Comedy Performs a Show inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five – 261 E 9 Mile Rd- 8:00 pm
Thu. Mar. 21 – Emory Book Party – 22700 Woodward Ave 7:30 pm
Thu. Mar. 21 – Go Comedy Performs a Show inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five – 261 E 9 Mile Rd- 8:00 pm
Tue. Mar. 26 – Friends of The Library Book Club – Ferndale Library – 7:30 pm
Wed. Mar. 27 – Gregory Sumner, Professor of History, University of Detroit Mercy will speak on the life and writings of Kurt Vonnegut – Ferndale Library – 7:00 pm
Thu. Mar. 28 – Go Comedy Performs a Show inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five – 261 E 9 Mile Rd- 8:00 pm
Learn more about what the Ferndale Public Library has to offer at http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us/.
