Community Read

The Community Read, presented by Aspen Words and Pitkin County Library, strives to celebrate literature, unite readers around a work of fiction, and ignite meaningful conversation on the vital social issues explored in each year's Aspen Words Literary Prize winning novel.

Upcoming events:

Raffle

Wednesday, March 13 - Thursday, April 25

Stop by the Library and guess which Aspen Words Literary Prize shortlist book will win the 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize. The drawing will occur during the Aspen Words Literary Prize Livestream Party. The winner will receive a prize from Aspen Words!

Aspen Words Literary Prize Livestream Party

Thursday, April 25 | 4pm-6pm

Who will win the 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize? Join us to watch the awards ceremony in real-time!

Eat, mingle, and find out who will win this year's Literary Prize as it is announced at the Morgan Library in New York City. Refreshments and snacks will be available, as well as a chance to win a raffle! All attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a free copy of the winning book, which will be featured in the 2024 Community Read this summer.

Stay after the prize is announced and discuss your favorite book from the 2024 Longlist or 2024 Shortlist.

Craft and Chat

Enjoy tea and a calming craft while discussing one of the Aspen Words Literary Prize shortlist books and some of the heavier topics at the center of these books.

Thursday, May 2 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Watercolor Postcards

Create your own mini watercolor while discussing one of the Literary Prize shortlist books. In the Dunaway Community Room.

Thursday, May 23 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Laser Cutter

Find or create a simple design while discussing one of the Literary Prize shortlist books. Then learn to use the Library's laser cutter to make an ornament or a coaster. In the Library Lab.

Thursday, June 13 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Paper Crafting

Craft with paper to create unique cards or learn a few different origami creations while discussing one of the Literary Prize shortlist books. In the Library Lab.

Thursday, July 11 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Beading

Use our large bead collection to create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, or other designs while discussion one of the Literary Prize shortlist books. In the Library Lab.

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Aspen Words Literary Prize 2024 Shortlist:

The winner of the Aspen Words Literary Prize will be our next Community Read book! 

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal

Witness by Jamel Brinkley

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

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Previous Community Read Books

The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories by Jamil Jan Kochai

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton 

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

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Aspen Words was founded in 1976 as a literary center based in Aspen, CO. A program of the Aspen Institute, its mission is to encourage writers, inspire readers and connect people through the power of stories. The Aspen Words Literary Prize is a $35,000 annual award for an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture. Open to authors of any nationality, the award is one of the largest literary prizes in the United States and one of the few focused exclusively on fiction with a social impact. The inaugural award was presented in 2018 to Mohsin Hamid for his novel Exit West.