On the conception and growth of citywide reading programs Bookselling This Week said: "It's doubtful that either Nancy Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library (WCB), or Chris Higashi, associate director for WCB, realized just how influential an idea they had conceived when they launched 'If All of Seattle Reads the Same Book' in 1996. Today, over 50 cities, counties, or states have begun programs that encourage communities to read the same book at the same time and then to discuss it in numerous venues." (Read more of the article at http://news.bookweb.org/news/306.html) This essay comes from Writers & Books, on their "If All of Rochester Read the Same Book..." initiative, which connects people to the experience of literature and to others throughout their community, through reading and discussion. For four months beginning in January 2004, the entire Rochester community will be turned into one giant book club, as Writers & Books once again presents "If All of Rochester Read the Same Book..." For more information about Writers & Books' "If All of Rochester Read the Same Book..." please visit http://www.wab.org/events/allofrochester/2004/