Unlimited possibilities: Carson City reaches beyond National Library Week

What if: You were an orphan at 15 and living with your 17-year old brother in a run-down motel in old downtown Reno; You have few role models, little education, occasional minimum wage jobs; you drink too much, eat lousy food; and Your brother kills a kid on a bicycle while driving drunk and comes to you for help.

"Why didn't you call the police or an ambulance?" you ask

So begins Willy Vlautin's noir novel "The Motel Life." Nevada scholar Patricia Cooper-Smith will facilitate a book discussion Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carson City Library Digitorium.

The book, 'The Motel Life", written by author and musician Willy Vlautin is this year's Capital City Reads selected title for the community-read project. Cooper-Smith said about the book, "It will frustrate you, fascinate you with its blue collar American grit, and, against all odds, will teach you about love and forgiveness, and give you hope."

Capital City Reads is Carson City Library's annual city-wide book club. This event runs in conjunction with National Library Week (April 12-April 18) and will culminate with the author's visit next week.

Willy Vlautin was born and raised in Reno and has published four novels. According to his website, he started playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager and quickly became immersed in music. It was a Paul Kelly song, based on Raymond Carver's Too Much Water So Close to Home that inspired him to start writing stories. Vlautin has published four novels:
The Motel Life (2007), Northline (2008), Lean on Pete (2010), and The Free (2014). He currently resides in Scappoose, Oregon.

Vlautin founded the band Richmond Fontaine in 1994. Driven by his dark, story-like songwriting, the band has achieved critical acclaim at home and across Europe. 2014 saw the debut album from Vlautin's new band, The Delines, featuring vocalist Amy Boone (The Damnations).

"The Motel Life" was made into a motion picture in 2012. The Motion Picture Rating for this film is R. The film will be shown following the book discussion on the 23rd.

Willy Vlautin will highlight Capital City Reads with a personal appearance on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 pm in the library digitorium. Vlautin will present a reading of his work, as well as sign purchased copies of his books. Call 775 887-2244 ext. 1019 to reserve a seat for either event; seating is limited.

In addition to the Capital City Read's events other programs have been scheduled to highlight National Library Week. The American Library Association has been observing National Library Week since 1958. Annual themes have reflected library trends throughout the years and 2015 is no different.

The theme "Unlimited Possibilities at Your Library" suggests it is becoming easier to realize libraries are more than just books. More and more, they are places of creativity, places to share ideas, use technology, edit a video, or use software to record music. The Carson City Library offers access to the tools and technology essential to the economic and cultural lives of our community.

Additional events include:
— Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 pm, Library Digitorium
"Silent Warrior: A Journey of Hope"

Local author Shirley Oxoby will present a reading from her book about the journey of her fight for her daughter Kerri's life.
— Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 pm, Library Digitorium
"Depression: The Enemy of Happiness"
Dr. Gino J. Giudice will discuss depression, the number one emotional problem in the world today.

Events are free and open to the public; National Library Week is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Carson City Library.

"Your Knowledge and Discovery Place" the Carson City Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. It is located at the corner of Roop and Washington streets. For more information call 887-2244 or checkout our website at www.carsoncitylibrary.org

Photo information: Author Charles L. Convis listens to questions after his talk at the Digitorium inside the Carson City Library Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Convis, who turns 89 on April 26th, told stories from his collection of 36 books he's authored which is titled; "65 Years of Old West History." His wife Mary Anne Convis, who illustrates the covers, were at the library in conjunction with National Library Week and have donated over 3,000 books from their private collection to the Friends of the Library.

— Andi Moore is the Programming Outreach Manager for the Carson City Library. She can be reached at awmoore@clan.lib.nv.us