United We Read

Beginning its fifth year, Cape Girardeau's United We Read program quickly has become an anticipated institution in the city. By choosing a book to read and scheduling discussions, Central High School librarian Julia Jorgensen assures community discourse that otherwise occurs only in the city's informal book clubs.

This year Jorgensen has selected two opportunities for discussions. One is Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle's award-winning Civil War novel, "The Gold of Cape Girardeau." The second is another Civil War novel by Robert Hicks, "The Widow of the South." Hicks lives in Franklin, Tenn.

Last month, Swingle's book was selected as a winner of the 2005 Governor's Humanities Book Award.

Discussions of the books will be held in February leading to talks with the authors.

Let's read.