Salem Reads 2021

Salem Reads - 2021

The Salem community selected
Walking with Peety by Eric O'Grey
for the fifth season of
Salem Reads: One Book, One Community.

Eric's memoir is about being overworked, overweight, depressed, and sick. He went to a new doctor, who surprisingly prescribed a shelter dog. And that's when Eric met Peety: an overweight, middle-aged, and forgotten dog who, like Eric, had seen better days. The two adopted each other and began an incredible journey together, forming a bond of unconditional love that forever changed their lives. Walking with Peety is for everyone who knows the joy, love, and hope that dogs can bring.

Salem Reads is a community-wide reading project that invites the people of Salem to come together in person or virtually through reading, discussion, and programs based on the themes of a common book. The Salem Public Library Foundation funds this effort to foster community and invite people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints to discuss compelling topics.

The Salem Public Library Foundation sees Salem Reads as an opportunity to increase the Library’s visibility, and act as a catalyst to bring the community together around shared values. The Salem Reads program is distinctive from other similar programs in Oregon in that we are targeting the participation of young people in our high schools by giving classroom sets of Salem Reads books to eight high schools in the area and Chemawa. Our goal is to have a rich multi-generational experience for everyone who participates.

This year the Salem Reads program was presented virtually. It included favorite activities like the book give away, documentary movie, panel discussions, art exhibit, and other programs including a talk with the author in February 2021. See the event calendar for all the details.

Walking with Peety is available to read in print or listen online at your convenience. Print books was available via hold for curbside pick up. The eBook and downloadable audiobook are available in both English and Spanish on the cloudLibrary and Libby apps.

Everday Biking* Click here to see schedule change for "Everyday Biking" event on Feb. 27th!

Live Zoom with Author Eric O'Grey - Thursday, February 4 @ 7pm.

Salem Reads Art Exhibit 2021

These works were on display at Elsinore Fine Art Gallery from Feb. 3rd through Feb 25th.
Click on each picture to see full display, artist, and title.
Artist statements listed below.