Books Unite Returns With The Great Gatsby

PATERSON, NJ — Passaic County Community College (PCCC) announces the second  collaboration this spring with Literature to Life (LTL) – a New York-based company that promotes literacy – and the Paterson Public Library to present Books Unite, a program to promote literacy and community engagement through reading.

Books Unite: Literature to Life in Paterson, is a yearlong series of free community events, offering book club meetings, theater performances, and interactive workshops designed to engage community members through powerful stories and shared conversation.

The second Books Unite event in Paterson takes place this month and is a three-part program based on the classic novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitgerald. This novel takes place during the roaring twenties following Nick Carraway as he is drawn into a world of wealth and betrayal. Books Unite focuses on the novel’s themes of social class, gender, race, and the true cost of the American Dream.

Participants are invited to read the novel (free copies are available) then participate in any of all of three free events based on the book. All residents of Paterson and surrounding communities are welcome to participate.

Monday, April 20, 6:00 pm –  Book club meeting at Paterson Free Public Library, 250 Broadway. Free copies of the book are currently available for pick-up at the Library.

Thursday, April 23 1:10 pm & 6:00 pm –  Live performances of the book will be presented at the PCCC Theater (204 Ellison Ave). Actor Simon Rabatin delivers his extraordinary one-man portrayal of all the characters in The Great Gatsby. A pre- and post-show discussion will be led by adapter / director Kelvin Grullon.  

Thursday, April 30 1:10 pm – An interactive workshop based on the themes of the novel will be conducted  in the PCCC Theater. All events are free and open to the general public.

The program is supported by a generous grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) program.

Literature to Life is a nonprofit, performance-based literacy organization that transforms American literary classics into professionally staged verbatim adaptations. LTL performs nationally in performing arts centers, schools, libraries, and correctional facilities. To learn more about Literature to Life, visit literaturetolife.org or find LTL on social media @lit2life.

For questions about the April presentations, contact Susan Balik, [email protected]

For MEDIA who wish to cover the events at PCCC, contact Linda Telesco at [email protected]  or 973-684-6603