One Book at a Time

If you've seen an awful lot of people walking around Henderson clutching copies of Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," it's not mere coincidence.

Just evidence that the One Book Henderson reading event is turning out to be exactly as popular as its organizers hoped it would be.

The idea is for Henderson residents to read the same book and explore its themes through 30 public events.

It's the city's first such undertaking, said Laurie Orton, chair of One Book Henderson, which is sponsored by Henderson Libraries and modeled after similar events throughout the country.

The program is a way for readers to connect with one another in ways they may not otherwise be able to.

"Our motto is, 'Read the book, join the conversation' " Orton said. "That's what I want to see happen: conversations started between people."

Albom's novel is about an amusement park worker who dies while attempting to save a child's life. He then finds himself in heaven, where he meets five people who explain the meaning of his life.

The novel was chosen from among hundreds of books organizers read over a period of several months, Orton said. "I won't say it was an easy choice, but after we chose it, it was like, 'Yes, this is the book to do.' "

The novel appeals to all age groups and to both men and women, and "has some universal themes that are easy to discuss," Orton said. "And, it's interesting."

Albom is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on Sunday to discuss his work.

At 10 a.m., the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada's Cultural Arts Committee will sponsor "One Morning With ... Mitch Albom" at Canyon Gate Country Club, 2001 Canyon Gate Drive.

That event is sold out. But at 1 p.m., Albom will speak at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway. That program will include discussions, a presentation by Albom and a book signing.

Also at that event, participants may vote for next year's One Book Henderson book. The event is free and there will be no reserved seating.

One Book Henderson also will sponsor "An Afternoon with Deepak Chopra" Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Henderson Pavilion. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased form the Henderson Pavilion box office, online at HendersonLive.com or by calling 267-4849.

The appearances by Albom and Chopra are among 30 scheduled One Book Henderson events that began last week.

The calendar of events includes: book discussion groups that will meet at area coffee shops, library branches and bookstores; showings of the film versions of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and Albom's nonfiction work "Tuesdays With Morrie"; panel discussions in which religious leaders, medical professionals and others discuss the afterlife and near-death experiences; and presentations about estate planning, scrap booking, World War II, adoption and how the afterlife has been depicted in art.

The One Book Henderson festivities conclude Nov. 18 with an 6 p.m. outdoor showing of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" at The Outdoor Picture Show at The Green at The District. Next year's book also will be announced at that event.

While it is designed to encourage reading and the discussion of literature, the event is "not designed to be stuffy at all," Orton says.

She notes that the One Book Henderson Web site features a link to a gallery where Southern Nevadans can post photos of themselves reading Albom's book. And, Orton says, "we've got some pretty silly photos up there.

For more information, visit the event's Web site (www. onebookhenderson.org) or any Henderson library branch.