One Book, One Beaverton
What if all of Beaverton read the same book?
Beaverton City Library is thrilled to announce that The Cold Millions by Jess Walter is the selection for our fourth annual One Book, One Beaverton community-wide reading program!
Walter’s book is a powerful historical novel about two brothers caught up in the turbulent class warfare of the early twentieth century and features an entertaining cast of characters including cops and vagabonds, suffragists and socialists, madams and murderers.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE (it’s fun and easy!)
1. Pick up your free copy of The Cold Millions at Beaverton City Library Main or the Murray Scholls branch beginning November 13, 2021 (while supplies last).
2. Read the book! Read it twice! Pass it along to someone else to read!
3. During the month of January 2022, attend free library programs that explore themes from the book.
4. Attend a library book discussion.
5. Discuss the book with friends, family, and your community at large.
6. Attend an evening with author Jess Walter on Saturday, February 5, 2022.
7. Feel connected your community!
KEY EVENT An Evening with Author Jess WalterSAT FEB 5 | 7 PM Join us for the culminating event of One Book, One Beaverton 2022 — an evening with author Jess Walter, who will bring to life the spies, tramps, saloon singers and lost progressive history of the Pacific Northwest from The Cold Millions. We invite you to stay after the talk to get your book signed by the author.This event requires registration. Register here or call 503-644-2197, option 2. |
IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated as “virtual”, events will be held in-person at the Main library. We will monitor COVID conditions and may move events to a virtual platform if needed. Check this webpage for the most up-to-date information.
ALL EVENTS REQUIRE REGISTRATION. Register here or call 503-644-2197, option 2.
Access the full program guide here
WED JAN 5 | 6:30-7:30 PM: A History of the International Workers of the World (Wobblies) in the Pacific Northwest (Register)
No group has been more mythologized in American labor history than the Industrial Workers of the World, and Jess Walter's The Cold Millions joins a long list of songs, plays, novels, and academic histories that celebrate the Wobblies. Professor Steven Beda, a historian of the American labor movement from the University of Oregon, will illuminate the true history of the IWW in Oregon and Washington.
SAT JAN 8 | 6:30-7:30 PM: An Evening of Vaudeville with Leapin’ Louie Lichtenstein (Register)
Leapin’ Louie combines history and performance to bring the art of vaudeville alive.
MON JAN 10 | 6:30-7:30 PM: History of the Spokane Tribe of Indians (Virtual) (Register)
Warren Seyler, former Chairman of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, will join us virtually to share the tribe’s history, with a special focus on the time period depicted in The Cold Millions.
SAT JAN 15 | 7-8:30 PM (Doors at 6:30): Against the Odds: True Stories of Underdogs, Longshots & Unlikely Heroes (Register)
Join us for a night of true stories told live on stage by veteran storytellers.
TUE JAN 18 | 6:30-8 PM: Historical Fiction Writing Workshop (Virtual) (Register)
The Cold Millions is a lively and entertaining work of historical fiction. In this workshop, you will learn the steps for writing historical fiction, look at examples of specific techniques, and write two paragraphs describing the time period you’d most love to explore. Facilitated by Dr. Susan Swartwout, creative writing instructor and founder of Southeast Missouri State University Press.
WED JAN 19 | 6-7:30 PM: Housing & Belonging: An Oregon Humanities Conversation Project (Register)
Housing and homelessness are visible and divisive issues in local media, in politics, and across different communities within Oregon. This facilitated discussion will explore common assumptions and perspectives about the experience of houselessness / homelessness and seek to answer the question, How do we decide who “belongs” in our community?
MON JAN 24 | 6-7 PM: Song Circle: Work Songs (Virtual) (Register)
Celebrate One Book, One Beaverton and The Cold Millions with work-themed songs at this special edition of Song Circle. We will sing and play 9-10 songs together virtually. Chords and lyrics will be provided.
THU JAN 27 | 6:30-7:30 PM: Women & Activism in the 21st Century: A Panel Discussion with Local Activists (Register)
Inspired by the “Rebel Girl,” Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, from The Cold Millions and her dedication to her cause, the library will host a moderated panel discussion with local women activists who will share their motivations, trials, and triumphs as advocates for change.
SAT FEB 5 | 7-9 PM: An Evening with Author Jess Walter (Register)
Join us for the culminating event of One Book, One Beaverton 2022 — an evening with author Jess Walter, who will bring to life the spies, tramps, saloon singers and lost progressive history of the Pacific Northwest from The Cold Millions. We invite you to stay after the talk to get your book signed by the author.
Listen along as you read with this Spotify playlist of songs inspired by our reading of The Cold Millions.
1. Open the Spotify app on your smartphone or device.
2. Tap the “Search” icon at the bottom of the homepage.
3. Tap the camera icon in the upper right corner and press “Scan.”
4. Hover your camera over the image to the left.
5. Press play and enjoy!