via The Tip Line: Help Select the Atlanta Reads Book: Voting Begins April 21

Beginning Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 30, residents can cast their vote for the first book selection in “Atlanta Reads: One Book, One Community,” the City of Atlanta’s city-wide literacy program.

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Voting locations will be at Atlanta Borders and Waldenbooks stores and the Atlanta-Fulton libraries. On May 9, Mayor Franklin will announce the book selection. All Atlanta Public Schools (APS) rising seniors and senior residents who participate in City Office of Recreation programs will receive a complimentary copy of the selected book. APS will include the book in its curriculum for the 2006-07 school year. In September, the book’s author will host a series of events in Atlanta, including a town-hall book club meeting.

The inclusion of a city-wide reading program to help improve the quality of life of Atlantans seems like a good idea. Similar programs have had success in Baltimore, New York City and San Francisco. Also, the list of books looks promising:

• Jimmy Carter’s “An Hour Before Daylight”
• Pearl Cleage’s “I Wish I Had a Red Dress”
• Ernest Gaines’ “A Lesson Before Dying”
• Tony Kushner’s “Caroline or Change”
• Ferol Sam’s “Run With the Horseman”
• Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple”

Get out and vote and read!