Chris Higashi has changed the way Seattleites come together to discuss books. In 1998, Higashi launched the city-wide common book program, now called Seattle Reads, with librarian Nancy Pearl. This pioneering project, a several-day event featuring one author’s work, was designed to broaden and deepen appreciation of literature and its historic and cultural context, connect new communities to the library, and foster discussion of important civic issues. Seattle Reads continues to thrive and has caught on like wildfire, inspiring similar projects in other cities, states, and countries.

As program manager of the Washington Center for the Book at The Seattle Public Library, Higashi has many other responsibilities aside from Seattle Reads. She coordinates other literary and humanities programming at the library, hosts a reading series featuring international, national, and local authors, manages the Library’s book group collection, and leads a weekly poetry appreciation group. A Seattle native and former co-owner of Blue Willow Tea Company, Higashi serves on the board of Copper Canyon Press and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio.

Seattle Public Library
Seattle Reads

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