First Posted: 12/10/2014
TUNKHANNOCK — What better time to curl up with a good book or two than the wintertime and the start of a new year?
For the 11th year in a row, the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater and the Tunkhannock Public Library will celebrate great literature by encouraging people to read two books: “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. Both titles appear on many lists of the 100 best books of the 20th century and the film “Catch-22” was notable in 1970.
Sponsored by the Wyoming County Commissioners, discussions will be held at the Tunkhannock Public Library, culminating with a showing of the movie “Catch-22” at the Dietrich Theater. Books can be checked out at the library or downloaded on e-readers. All events are cost-free.
Each year a committee composed of Dietrich Theater staff and board members, Bill Chapla and Kristen Smith-Gary, Tunkhannock Public Library director, meet and suggest ideas for the next book for Wyoming County Reads.
Chapla will serve as book discussion leader. The topics he chose for discussion include: “The Language of Absurdity and the Bureaucracy of War”; “The Morality and Religion of War” and “The Truth, Tragedy, and Inevitability of War.” These discussions will be held at the Tunkhannock Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11.
Because of the breadth of the subjects, two presenters will bring their experience and knowledge to the discussions.
Dr. Daniel Fraustino, Professor of English at the University of Scranton, who has been a lecturer at the Schemel Lecture Forum, will lead a discussion of “The Things They Carried” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Tunkhannock Public Library. John Tindell, Professor of Communications of Northampton Community College, will lead a discussion of the movie “Catch-22” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the library.
A final event will feature two free showings of the “Catch-22” at noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at the Dietrich Theater, with a brief discussion by Chapla following the movie.
For information about any of the discussions or events, call the theater at 570-996-1500.