Henderson Libraries changes One Book selection

By Jean Reid Norman

Monday, March 9, 2009 | 3:15 p.m.

Henderson Libraries hope to have the entire city reading "Ultramarathon Man" by Dean Karnazes this year.

The memoir of Karnazes, who runs 100 miles or more in a stretch, was chosen to replace "19 Minutes" by Jodi Picoult as the One Book Henderson 2009 selection after the libraries found that Picoult would not be able to come to Henderson for a speaking engagement in the fall. The public had voted for Picoult's book in an online survey.

"It's unfortunate to have to change our 2009 selection, but we are very excited about introducing 'Ultramarathon Man' to the Henderson community," Joan Vaughan, co-chairwoman of One Book Henderson 2009, said. "Dean is an inspirational, upbeat person, and we know the community will benefit from reading his book and hearing him speak."

Karnazes will speak at the Henderson Pavilion Oct. 17, as part of One Book Henderson 2009, when the Henderson Libraries encourage all residents to read the same book. The 2008 selection was "Marley and Me," by John Grogan, a memoir centered around Grogan's family dog, a golden retriever named Marley.

Karnazes was recently ranked by a Time Magazine poll as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential People in the World" and was called "the fittest man in the world" by Men's Fitness magazine.

His most recent accomplishment was running 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the New York marathon, which he completed in three hours and 30 seconds.

For more information on Karnazes, visit www.ultramarathonman.com. For more on Henderson Libraries, go to mypubliclibrary.com or call 492-7252.

Jean Reid Norman can be reached at 990-2658 or [email protected].