In 1998, Washington Center for the Book initiated the first community-wide reading program through Seattle Reads.  Since then, communities all over the United States have increasingly embraced the notion of civic unity through the reading of literature. 

Whether it's called a city-wide book club, a state-wide reading campaign, "One-Book, One-Community," or "The Big Read," communities of all shapes and sizes are adopting the concept of people coming together through the reading and discussion of a common book.