Manhattan Beach Library Hosts Kick Off for 'Big Read'

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA -- Fans of film noir rejoice. This year's Big Read selection is the noir classic "The Maltese Falcon" and the Manhattan Beach Library is hosting the kick-off for the event next Wednesday.

The Big Read is the Los Angeles County Libary system's program that selects books for people to read and discuss at library events. The program is funded in parts by Shakespeare at Play and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Manhattan Beach Library will have a limited number of Dashiell Hammett's classic book available for free at the event. Hammett's book was made into a classic film noir movie with the same name in 1941 starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor.

The book is about a private detective, Sam Spade, searching for a priceless antique. Throughout the story, he encounters nefarious antique dealers, gunmen and a femme-fatale or two. "The Maltese Falcon" was ranked No. 56 on the Modern Library's list of the 100 Great English-language novels of the 20th Century.

The kick-off event goes from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the Manhattan Beach Library, 1320 Highland Ave. There will be light refreshments and live music from the Hollywood Rhythm Kings. Leading the discussion of the book will be Julie Rivett, Hammet's granddaughter.

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