Linn Area Reads urges residents to pick up Dan Gable’s ‘A Wrestling Life’

This year's Linn Area Reads selection is 'A Wrestling Life' by Dan Gable, published by University of Iowa Press in 2015.

Linn Area Reads is a collaboration between metro libraries, Barnes & Noble and community literary representatives.

'A Wrestling Life' by Dan Gable is the story of Gable's rise to wrestling stardom, from humble beginnings at the YMCA in Waterloo, to Olympic championships. Written in Gable's conversational style, the book reads like a collection of well-told stories, giving the feeling of sitting down beside this great man and listening to him spin tale after tale.

'The main goal of Linn Area Reads is to bring our community together and to promote literacy,' said Amanda Zhorne, community business development manager at Barnes & Noble in Cedar Rapids. 'The idea is to encourage community members to all read the same title once a year and then come together for various programming. It's cool to see reading, which can often be such a solitary activity, turn into a community activity.'

'It's a fun twist on a book group, done large scale.'

One of the reasons Linn Area Reads committee members chose 'A Wrestling Life' was they hoped it would appeal to a large percentage of the community.

'Dan Gable's book, 'A Wrestling Life,' is a great choice for many reasons,' Zhorne said. 'Having an Iowa connection in the book is always a nice touch and Dan truly is the pride of Iowa.'

'It's about sports and winning, but also about grief and hard work. I think there are moments people can relate to and others that we love for the glimpse into the life of an Iowa hero. The book is also great for teens so it is something that families can read and discuss together as well.'

New this year is a workshop by Jane Nesmith, Coe College Writing Center director, to encourage residents to write their own memoirs.

'We know that Dan Gable is not the only one with great stories to tell, so we wanted to include something that encouraged others to write down their stories as well,' Zhorne said.

Former University of Iowa Wrestler and two-time NCAA Champion Mark Ironside will lead the book discussion at Barnes & Noble.

IF YOU GO

All Linn Area Reads events are free, though participants should RSVP to An Afternoon with Dan Gable, at metrolibrarynetwork.org/linnareareads.

March 8, 7 to 8 p.m.: Book discussion at Barnes & Noble with Mark Ironside (and surprise guest), 333 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

March 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Memoir writing workshop at Marion Public Library presented by Jane Nesmith, 1095 Sixth Ave., Marion

March 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Movie showing 'Freestyle: The Victories of Dan Gable' at the Cedar Rapids Public Library's Whipple Auditorium, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids

March 25, 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Signature Event presented by Dan Gable at the Cedar Rapids Public Library's Whipple Auditorium, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids