Friends of the North Bend Library have launched a new program for adults, Valley Reads, which encourages Valley residents to read books by local authors. It’s actually easier than you might think.

“We found out there are a lot of authors in the Valley,” said Ginny Gorski, President of Friends of the North Bend Library, discussing the new program, which began taking registration March 1.

Through Valley Reads, everyone who registers for the program will receive a free copy of the book selected, to read in advance of the community presentation and author discussion event.

For the inaugural Valley Reads, the Friends group has chosen “Likeness,” by North Bend author Sheri J. Kennedy. It’s the fictional tale about the introduction of a new social anxiety drug. Assimilaire is supposed to make the user simply feel the same as those around him or her. Something goes wrong with the free samples marketing reps Charlie and Emmaline offer at an international pharmaceutical conference, though, and the people taking the drug start behaving just like the marketers. Complicating factors include a bomb scare, trapping all the conference-goers in an experiment on similarities and differences.

“It’s not a long book, and it’s fun to read,” said Gorski.

Most importantly, it’s a reflection of the Friends’ and the library’s efforts to create more programming for an older audience.

“We wanted more library programs for adults,” Gorski said. She noted that there are many story times, book clubs and other programs for children and teens already.

Another thing that was important for this program, she said, was including the entire Upper Valley.

“We wanted to do it as a community, with the three libraries participating.”

So, after participants register at www.kcls.org (Click Calendar, then under Audience, click Adults, then click SnoValley Reads), they can pick up a copy of the book at any of the libraries in North Bend, Snoqualmie or Fall City.

“We’re hoping this is going to be an event that will take root and people will embrace it,” said Gorski.

Kennedy will lead a community discussion of the book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the North Bend Library.

The books are provided by the Friends, who are buying them at cost from Kennedy. All books in the Valley Reads program will be provided free to participants. The second book, which will be announced later this spring, will be a non-fiction selection.