'Columbia River Reads' book chosen
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 11 months AGO
Submitted photo Cheryl Strayed, author of ‘Wild,’ the book chosen for the 2017 Columbia River Reads program.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | January 30, 2017 2:00 AM
WENATCHEE — The North Central Regional Library has announced the book for its 2017 Columbia River Reads program. Cheryl Strayed, author of “Wild,” will appear in Wenatchee April 13 to talk with participants about the book.
“Wild” was published in 2012 and follows Strayed’s solo hiking trip along the Pacific Coast Trail. Strayed was a novice hiker, but she hiked the trail alone through California and Oregon.
The book was a New York Times No. 1 bestseller and was chosen by television personality Oprah Winfrey for her book club. It was made into a movie in 2015.
This is the third Columbia River Reads project, which involves all libraries in the NCRL system. Participants are asked to “tackle the same book, talk with other people about it and possibly attend a book discussion at their local library,” said Michelle McNiel, NCRL public information director. Copies of “Wild” are available at all NCRL branches, including Grant County.
Currently Strayed lives in Portland. “The library district chose Strayed because she is a Northwest author and because her book is both a memoir, which are very popular among NCRL readers, and a hiking account that may also appeal to many outdoor enthusiasts in this region of the state,” McNeil said.
Libraries throughout the system will host programs on hiking, the Pacific Crest Trail, and outdoor activities in the region. A list of programs will be announced.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.
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