How does the NEA select the books?
For the pilot phase of The Big Read, the NEA studied the programs and reading lists of successful “city reads” programs around the country. Focusing on American literary classics, the NEA selected books that would appeal to diverse audiences. There is now a Readers Circle-a distinguished group of 22 writers, scholars, librarians, critics, artists, and publishing professionals-who suggest the next books for American communities to share. Part of what makes The Big Read appealing to communities is the availability of large quantities of high quality supplementary materials such as reader’s guides. In order to produce these materials, the NEA builds the list of titles incrementally.
