Community Read

On the Way to the End of the World by Adrianne Harun

The City of Port Townsend has proclaimed March as the official "Reading Month." Community Read is designed to promote closer ties among community members through the shared experience of reading, sharing and discussing the same book and ideas related to topics raised by the book.

• A limited number of free copies of the book will be available at the Port Townsend Public Library on a first-come first-served basis. Additional copies will be available at the Library, or you may purchase a copy at Imprint Bookstore.
• Read the book, then pass it on to others. 
• Prepare for a discussion about the book with your own book group or join in the groups listed below. A brochure with discussion issues and questions is available at the Library.
• Attend the many in-person events during the month of March.

About the Book

“Harun’s novel reverberates with nostalgia, psychological insight, and the sacredness of community.” – Kirkus Reviews

As the Cuban Missile Crisis eases, President Kennedy is casting around for a demonstration of American prowess when one of his Cabinet unearths an old mandate that US Marines be fit enough to walk fifty miles in twenty hours. Perfect! Kennedy decides to throw down the gauntlet to “today’s Marines,” but before he knows it, he’s sparked a wild fad. The entire country has answered the call, it seems, and for a few crazed winter weeks, masses of Americans will embark on their own arduous Big Walks—the “JFK 50-Milers.” Yet in tiny Humdtown—an isolated mill town in the Pacific Northwest—not everyone who shows up for a hastily organized Big Walk is motivated by patriotism. Splendidly imagined, with prose that sings on the page, On the Way to the End of the World is an adventure story riven with secrets, a national fairy tale twisted into a whodunit.

• Watch to learn more about the 50 mile Kennedy Walk 
• Download the discussion guide 
• Download the walking guide challenge 

Author Profile

Adrianne Harun is the author of two short story collections, The King of Limbo, a Washington State Book Award finalist, and Catch, Release, winner of the Eric Hoffer Award. Stories from her collections have been listed as Notable in both Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery Stories. Her first novel A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain was long-listed for the International Dublin Literary Award, a finalist for both the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Washington State Book Award and winner of a Pinckley Prize for Debut Crime Fiction. Her new novel, On the Way to the End of the World, was published in September, 2023. A longtime resident of Port Townsend, Washington, Adrianne ran a garage, Motorsport, with her late husband, the legendary Alistair Scovil, and has also worked as a teacher and an editor for many years. Visit her online at www.adrianneharun.com.

Special Events (All Events Free!)

“Big Walk” – a Modified Kennedy Walking Challenge
March 1–31 Choose Your Own Places to Walk
Walk 50 miles throughout the month of March and be entered to win a prize. Pick up a walking log at the library or download from the library’s website. Supported by Jefferson County Public Health.

StoryWalk – John Muir: America’s Naturalist by Thomas Locker
March 1–31 Kah Tai Lagoon Daylight Hours
A fun outdoor adventure for the whole family to enjoy John Muir’s wisdom. Walk and read book. Explore anytime during daylight in March.

Movie Kickoff – PTFF Presents The Wizard of Oz
March 2 (Saturday) Rose Theatre 10:00 am
Start your Community Read journey with the classic The Wizard of Oz at the beautiful Rose Theatre. Reserve your FREE tickets at www.ptfilmfest.com or pick them up in person at the library.

Book Lovers’ Café
March 4 (Monday) Library Learning Center (Pink House) 2:00 pm
Join the library’s book club for a group discussion of On the Way to the End of the World with Library Director Melody Sky Weaver.

Larry Scott Trail Talk
March 6 (Wednesday) Carnegie Reading Room 6:00 pm
Learn about the history, recent upgrades, and future of this trail from the Peninsula Trails Coalition.

Community Book Discussion at The Nest
March 13 (Wednesday) The Nest – 1119 Lawrence Street 1:00 pm
Enjoy coffee, snacks, and discuss On the Way to the End of the World with Librarian Emily Bufford.

A Deadly Wind – The 1962 Columbus Day Storm
March 14 (Thursday) Carnegie Reading Room 6:00 pm
Author John Dodge will discuss the epic Columbus Day storm of 1962.

Community Book Discussion at Marina Café
March 26 (Tuesday) Marina Café – 2800 Washington Street 11:00 am
Enjoy coffee and famous muffins and discuss On the Way to the End of the World with Library Director Melody Sky Weaver.

Meet the Author: Adrianne Harun
March 30 (Saturday) Northwest Maritime Center 6:00 pm
Join Adrianne Harun for a presentation and reading. Followed by a book signing and books for sale from Imprint Books.

Thank you to all of our sponsors:

SPONSORS: Port Townsend Library Friends and Foundation and our community partners: Port Townsend Film Festival, The Rose Theatre, Imprint Books, Marina Café, The Nest, Port Townsend School District, Jefferson County Public Health, Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader, Peninsula Daily News, and KPTZ 91.9 FM.

Past Community Reads:
2023 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer & Adapted by Monique Gray Smith 
2022 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune and Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
2021 House Lessons, Erica Bauermeister
2020 Whiskey When We're Dry, John Larison 
2019 Piano Tide, Kathleen Dean Moore
2018 My Old Man and the Mountain: A Memoir, Leif Whittaker
2017 Before the Wind, Jim Lynch 
2016 This Changes Everything, Naomi Klein 
2015 Jupiter Pirates: Hunt for the Hydra, Jason Fry
2014 Turn Here Sweet Corn, Atina Diffley
2013 Contents May Have Shifted, Pam Houston
2013 Teen Community Read - Life Is So Good, George Dawson and Richard Glaubman
2012 Winterkill, Craig Lesley
2012 Teen Community Read - Blank Confession, Pete Hautman
2011 The Forest Lover, Susan Vreeland
2011 Teen Community Read, Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
2010 The Hungry Ocean, Linda Greenlaw
2009 The Measure of a Mountain, Bruce Barcott
2008 Once in a Promised Land, Laila Halaby
2007 Where Rivers Change Direction and An Unfinished Life,  Mark Spragg
2006 Counting Coup, Larry Colton