CHAMPAIGN-URBANA BIG READ
A community reading of
Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon"

• When: All of April
• What: A series of community events designed to encourage people to read and reflect on a work of classic literature
• Why: Part of the National Endowment for the Arts' campaign to revitalize literary reading
• Where: See events listed below

URBANA — The Big Read is back, offering a quirky followup to last year's successful promotion of book reading as a vital and enjoyable part of people's everyday lives.

Attempting to reintroduce the lost art of hiding away with a good book, this program is administered by the National Endowment for the Arts. Much in the same way that today's franchise books ("Harry Potter," "Twilight," etc.) are ballyhooed for mass consumption, the NEA prepares posters, bookmarks, and CDs that hype the latest Big Read.

This spring's must-read is Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon." Published in 1930, it is 44 years fresher than last year's Big Read (Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilyich").

"The Maltese Falcon" revolves around tough-guy detective Sam Spade and his relentless search for an ultra-valuable falcon figurine.

When it was originally published, "The Maltese Falcon" broke new ground in the genre of gritty detective novels. Its authenticity can be traced to Hammett's own experiences working for the rough-and-tumble Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Like last year, Uni librarian Frances Harris is excited to play a role in the Big Read. Recently devoting a discussion meeting of the Rif Raf reading club to the novel, she is steering as many people toward "The Maltese Falcon" as she can.

She is also involved with the Big Read outside of Uni. She plans to lead a discussion about the book at the Champaign County jail library, where she is already a regular volunteer.

While actively rallying the reading troops toward "The Maltese Falcon," Harris claims that she is merely "a cog in the wheel" in the big picture of the Big Read. The grant for the program was coordinated by the Champaign and Urbana public libraries, which, in turn, shared the promotional materials with all interested parties.

Harris thinks that "The Maltese Falcon" will appeal to a larger number of readers than last year's Tolstoy novella.

"I would argue that there's a lot more to 'The Maltese Falcon' than meets the eye," she noted. "[This] doesn't make it more stodgy or intellectual, but definitely makes it a meaty read."

When asked why a reader in 2009 should give this old book a try, Harris offered: "I think I'd say that it's full of interesting surprises. A spare, compelling writing style … not to mention the incessant smoking and drinking. Best of all, you really get swept up by the mystery and want to know how things come out."

Swirling around the book itself is a month-long series of discussions, performances, and film screenings that celebrate the hard-as-nails spirit of Sam Spade's tireless quest for the elusive bird.

Highlighting these events is a screening of the 1941 film adaptation of "The Maltese Falcon," starring Humphrey Bogart. It will be shown 7 p.m. April 30 at the historic Virginia Theatre — what better place to absorb the timeless nuances of such an iconic tale?

So read the book. Go watch the movie. Take in a discussion. Get lost in a story that has endured the test of time. Make it your own.

Calendar of events: Champaign-Urbana Big Read 2009

• Friday, April 17
  Keynote Address: "Film Noir: Dangerous Men and Deadly Dames "
  6:30-8:30 p.m., Busey-Mills Reading Room (First Floor), The Urbana Free Library,
  210 W. Green St., Urbana

• Sunday, April 19
  The Big Read and UFLive! Present The Boneyard Jazz Quintet
  2-3 p.m., The Urbana Free Library

• Monday, April 20
  Kick Back & Read: Book Discussion for Teens
  6:45-7:45 p.m., Robeson Pavilion Room C, Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign

• Wednesday, April 22
  Film Noir Series: "Kiss Me Deadly"
  7 p.m., Robeson Pavilion Room A & B, Champaign Public Library

• Sunday, April 26
  UFL Reads Joins The Big Read!
  2-3 p.m., MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room (First Floor), The Urbana Free Library

• Tuesday, April 28
  Between The Lines Book Club
  7-8 p.m., Robeson Pavilion Room C, Champaign Public Library

• Thursday, April 30
  Grand Finale: "The Maltese Falcon" Film
  7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m., The Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park St., Champaign