Books

A Gritty Read for the City

if you’re in Menomonie, get your mitts on a free copy of True Grit

Amanda Luft |

For the 10th annual Menomonie READS citywide literacy promotion program, the Menomonie Public Library will be handing out free copies of the classic Western novel True Grit (1968) by Charles Portis. The fun kicks off 9am to 9pm Jan. 14 with the book distribution. Events continue into February as residents enjoy the Old West story of Mattie Ross, a 14-year-old girl on a quest to avenge her father’s death. In addition to the community-wide “book club,” the library will host a country line dance program and rope-throwing exhibition at 2pm Jan. 23. Head to the library at 7pm Feb. 4 for a screening of the Cohen brothers’ 2010 film adaptation of the book. UW-Stout professor Joan Navarre, who teaches a class called “Fiction into Film,” will introduce the movie. There will be a second screening, minus the introduction, at 2pm Feb. 6. The library will also show the original 1969 movie adaptation starring John “The Duke” Wayne as U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn. The first screening is 7pm Feb. 9; the second is 2pm Feb. 13. All events take place at the Menomonie Public Library, 600 Wolske Bay Road. Everyone is encouraged to attend, no library card necessary.