Whistler Reads: The Community That Skis Together Also Reads Together
The Whistler Reads initiative is fashioned on the Citywide Reads programs in many cities across the country. Want to be a part of this exciting community venture, meet authors, discover new books, join the biggest book group in BC?
Read more and sign yourself and your group up today!
February 08, 2008 — 
The resort community of Whistler (home of the 2010 Winter Olympics) is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by a cathedral of mountains with Whistler and Blackcomb at the center of alpine activity. It's a recreational paradise, but with 2 million-plus annual visitors and a permanent resident population of just 10,000, there are challenges here that other towns and villages don't face.
Like deciding whether to ski, board, play tennis, a round of golf, go sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking; or mountain bike the gnarly trails, attend a visiting band or DJ performance, or kick back with friends. Believe it or not, reading a good book is also in the mix of alternatives for many of us.
Add to all those distractions the fact that we still have to work, in a resort that's open 24/7/365, with most people in the service industry orienting an ever-changing, world-savvy visiting staff who have decided to make Whistler their home for the next year (or as long as they can manage housing and cost-of-living expenses). Meet the grind.
Uniting this diverse community through literature is the perfect solution to round off the edges. There are a number of long-standing private book groups in the community, but their discussions are generally closed to new members. Vicious Circle, the local writers' group, encourages the budding writing community and hosts a Writers Fest in September, but we need to support reading every month! So a bit of an intellectual/social gap exists for unattached readers, new residents, long-stay guests, employees, recreational property owners and regular returning visitors. The good news is that the new library will open in January 2008, and this is where our village book group, Whistler Reads comes in. "Whether you live, work or come to play in Whistler, read what Whistler Reads!"
BookBuffet President and Whistler Reads Founder, Paula Shackleton and a team of interested citizens are hard at work to grow this wonderful initiative. Here's how:
- Select interesting, well-written fiction and nonfiction books with wide appeal
- Bring authors to discuss their books
- Bring expert guest speakers
- Connect existing book groups and motivate new readers
- Secure sponsors to subsidize events
- Get businesses to sponsor books for employees
- Put together "book group six-packs" - library lending sets for future book groups that come with accompanying discussion material and comment sheets
Reading List, Dates & Locations
Whistler Reads was inaugurated on February 11th, 2005, and now has over 350 members: we are locals, residents of the Howe Sound, Vancouver, and Seattle corridor, as well as tourists who have become friends and stay in touch online (and visit on their next vacation).
Let's Get Whistler Reading
Read all instructions through once before clicking.
STEP 1: Click on the REGISTER button on the home page. (If you click on the button above you will instead skip to Step3.)
STEP 2: Choose the second registration option: "Invited to join an existing group."
STEP 3: Type Whistler Reads as the name of the book group.
STEP 4: Fill in your email address and a 6-digit password, and the contact info you would like to appear (it will be viewed by all participants).
And Voila! Your success message is the Login page. (Trouble logging in? Use the preferred browser Firefox.)
STEP 5: Just re-enter your email and password to reach the Whistler Reads home page; see the book that's posted, browse the member list for friends, post a comment in the Forum.
Getting the Book
Click on our vendor links to purchase online, or stop-in at Armchair Books for your member discount reserved copy—and don't miss the next meeting!
Feedback and suggestions. Which books are you reading? Who are your favorite authors? Want to become a sponsor?
Start an Employer-Sponsored Reading Group—It's easy! Survey your staff to see who's interested. Identify a group leader and we'll train them with leadership and group dynamic skills. We will get you reading and discussion materials. We'll also moderate your first few meetings.
Come on, Whistler! It's only one book every 8 weeks. You already exercise your body; reading exercises your mind. Meet people. Share your ideas. Meet authors. Improves employee satisfaction and staff cohesion, and your customers will enjoy discussing books and hearing about the events. Perfect for ski & board instructors, restaurant staff, concierge & hotel staff, grocery clerks, or anyone in the hospitality industry. Meet on staff premises or join the main WR group meetings.
Re-donate used books back to us and we will distribute to schools, libraries, and places where people can't afford to buy books.
Call Paula at 604-907-2804 or email paulas@bookbuffet.com Register and receive all the updates.
Social Bookmarks
