Saratoga Reads wrapped up a fabulous 2011-12 season with a capstone event on April 26 featuring a conversation with David "Sonny" Lacks and David Lacks Jr.—the son and grandson of Henrietta Lacks. Henrietta's compelling story is told in this year's book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.

The event was moderated by Joe Donahue, the familiar voice of the "Roundtable" and the "Book Show" on WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and drew an audience of some 200 area residents to the Bernhard Theater on the Skidmore College campus. Following the discussion, there was an open question-and-answer session with the audience and a book signing.

Earlier in the day the father-son duo participated in an interview on the "Roundtable" as well a press conference with area media. To read the Times Union article by Paul Grondahl click here: "Cell Case Still Unsettling."

The capstone evening topped off a series of some 20 community events based on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or the related junior companion books for young readers. The programs—ranging from a panel on bioethics and social equity to a presentation for kids on brain science by visiting author John Fleischman—were designed to appeal to a wide audience and diverse interests.

"All of this is made possible through the efforts of Saratoga Reads leaders, readers, volunteers, partners, sponsors and grant providers," said Tabitha Orthwein, chair of the Saratoga Reads board. "Thank you all for a terrifically successful year!"

Images from a conversation with David Lacks and David Lacks Jr.

Saratoga Reads will wrap up its eighth year with a discussion featuring David "Sonny" Lacks on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in Bernhard Theater at Skidmore College.

Lacks will be accompanied by his son David Jr., and both will participate in a wide-ranging discussion, based on questions submitted by the public. The discussion will be moderated by Joe Donahue, the familiar voice of the "Roundtable" and the "Book Show" on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. The event is free and open to the public.

David Lacks is a son of Henrietta Lacks, whose story is told in this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. The widely acclaimed nonfiction book recounts the story of an African American woman who sought treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. During treatment, and without her consent, samples of her cancer tissue were taken for medical and scientific experimentation. More...

Saratoga Reads will offer a presentation by Danny Hakim, Albany bureau chief for the New York Times, on Saturday, March 31, at 2 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium of Palamountain Hall, Skidmore College. The event is free and open to the public.

Hakim, who will give a behind-the-scenes look at his work as a reporter, was part of the team that won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News for its coverage of the sex scandal that resulted in the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. ...More

Saratoga Reads and its community partners will offer a number of events in the coming weeks designed to promote reading, discussion, socializing, and the exchange of ideas. The activities range from discussions on medical ethics and journalism to brunch and a Vermont road trip.

The events are related to this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The widely acclaimed nonfiction work tells the story of an African American woman who sought treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. During treatment, and without her consent, samples of her cancer tissue were taken for medical and scientific experimentation. For 60 years, cells reproduced from those samples have been used worldwide in medical research, while many of Henrietta's family members have lived in poverty, unable to afford health care.

The events will begin with a "Books and Brunch" benefit on Sunday, March 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sperry's Restaurant on Caroline St., downtown Saratoga Springs. The event will feature a raffle and drink specials for adults, as well as a special raffle and menu for kids. A percentage of the proceeds will go to support Saratoga Reads and its public programming, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Henrietta Lacks Foundation ...More

Saratoga Reads will present a number of events in March specifically designed for young readers and their families. All events are open to the public free of charge.

The activities are related to this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and to "companion books" for young readers that explore scientific research and microscopy.

The events will begin on Saturday, March 3, with a Read Across America Day Celebration book fair at Barnes & Noble, Route 50, Wilton, N.Y. The event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include a scavenger hunt, science activities, and story-time readings. A special book signing by award-winning children's book author Steve Sheinkin will take place at 11 a.m. For the day's full schedule and voucher, click here.

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Saratoga Reads will continue its eighth year of community programming with a visit from author and science writer John Fleischman, who will give a public talk on Thursday, February 16, at 7 p.m. in the H. Dutcher Community Room at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

Fleischman is the author of Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science. The book is a junior companion title for young readers, selected to complement this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Phineas Gage tells the true story of a railroad construction foreman who survived for 11 years after a 13-pound iron rod shot through his skull in a rock-blasting accident in Cavendish, Vt., in 1848. Scientists and doctors were baffled by Gage's miraculous recovery and by the severe personality changes he experienced, making the case a textbook study of brain science.  More...

Saratoga Reads will launch its new series of public programs with two events in January, one designed for adult readers and one for young readers and their families.

The events will kick off a series related to this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The widely acclaimed nonfiction work tells the story of an African American woman who sought treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. During treatment, and without her consent, samples of her cancer tissue were taken for medical and scientific experimentation. For 60 years, cells reproduced from those samples have been used worldwide in medical research, yet Henrietta Lacks has remained virtually unknown and many of her family members have lived in poverty.

For adult readers there will be a showing of the film Miss Evers' Boys followed by a guided discussion on Sunday, Jan. 22, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at SUNY Empire State College, 113 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs. The event, co-sponsored by Empire State College, is free and open to the public.  More...

Saratoga Reads has announced its choice of a junior discussion book and a list of some 40 other titles for young readers, selected to complement the program's book of choice for this year—The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

The list of "companion books" has been designed to appeal to a wide of range of age groups and includes picture books for beginning readers through works for young teens. The books' themes range from medical discoveries, scientific mysteries, and the natural world to investigative reporting and the Civil Rights era.

As a complementary junior discussion book, Saratoga Reads has selected Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman. The nonfiction book tells the story of a railroad construction foreman who survived for 11 years after a 13-pound iron rod shot through his brain in a rock-blasting accident in 1848. Scientists and doctors were baffled by Gage's miraculous recovery and by the severe personality changes he experienced, making the case a textbook study of brain science. Phineas Gage will serve as the basis for two special evening discussions at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on successive Thursdays, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. Designed for grades 4-6, the sessions will be led by student mentors from Skidmore College and Saratoga Springs High School, under the direction of Skidmore Professor of English Catherine Golden. More...

Saratoga Reads will launch its eighth year of community programming with a book fair featuring activities for the whole family on Sunday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, Route 50, Wilton.

The event will celebrate this year's Saratoga Reads book of choice, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and will raise funds to support the community-wide reading program. Giveaways include a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card, as well as copies of the selected book.

Barnes & Noble will donate to Saratoga Reads a percentage of purchases made that day by shoppers who use the special book fair voucher. Vouchers and the book fair schedule are available here. Shoppers must use the voucher or specifically mention Saratoga Reads in order to have their purchases benefit the organization. More...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot has been selected by public vote as this year's book of choice for Saratoga Reads, the community-wide reading program now marking its eighth year..

The widely acclaimed book—the first nonfiction work to be selected as a Saratoga Reads top choice—tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman who sought treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. During treatment, and without her consent, samples of her cancer tissue were taken for medical and scientific experimentation. For 60 years, cells reproduced from those samples have been used in research that has led to dozens of medical breakthroughs, including research on the human papilloma virus and advances in the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and in vitro fertilization.

The book is not only a biography of Lacks and her family, many of whom live in poverty, unable to afford health care, but also a revealing account of medical research and the variety of ethical questions it poses. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she has remained virtually unknown, with scientists referring to her only by the code name HeLa. More...

Time is ticking for those who want a voice in the selection of the Saratoga Reads book of choice for this year.

The community-wide reading program has announced that out of some 75 titles nominated for this year's book of choice, five have been selected as finalists. The winning title will be decided by public vote, with area residents having until October 31 to cast their ballots. The selected book will be announced on November 10.

Among the top five contenders are two novels, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, and three nonfiction works—The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, and Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.

Voters are urged to read the descriptions of the books posted on the Saratoga Reads web site .

Once the winner is announced, the public is encouraged to read the selected title and to develop and participate in a host of educational and cultural activities connected to the book's themes. A list of junior companion books on related themes for pre-K and up will be announced December 2.

Saratoga Reads has announced that out of some 75 titles nominated by the public for this year's book of choice, five have been selected as finalists.

The winning title will be decided by public vote, with area residents having until October 31 to cast their ballots. The selected book will be announced on November 10.

Among the top five contenders are two novels, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Eagan and Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, and three nonfiction works—The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, and Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.

Voters are urged to read the descriptions of the books posted on the Saratoga Reads web site . More...

If you are digging into any great books this summer or have titles you highly recommend, Saratoga Reads wants to hear from you. As the community reading program gears up for its eighth year, organizers are seeking nominations for the year's book of choice.

Nominations should be works of prose such as novels, short stories, memoirs, non-fiction works, and biographies. The suggested books must be readily available in paperback and capable of inspiring community participation and dialogue. It is recommended that nominated books not exceed 400 pages.

"Each year, we urge members of the public to nominate titles they think would be super reads for our community," said Lauren Cohen, coordinator of the Saratoga Reads Selection Advisory Group. "We are looking for books that can stimulate lively discussion for a wide audience. Don't forget that the selection must be engaging enough to win a community-wide vote." More...