The Big Read has a single, ambitious goal: to restore reading to the center of American culture.

An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, the project follows a 2004 report, "Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America," that found that the decline in literary reading in America has accelerated, especially among the younger generation.

What the Big Read does is give citizens an opportunity to read and discuss a single book in their community.

The Hawai'i partners in the 2007 Big Read chose Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club" for its intergenerational dialogue, self-identity issues, and cultural assimilation and preservation. They said they saw "The Joy Luck Club" as "a catalyst for encouraging conversations among and within Hawai'i's diverse communities." There are Big Read readings, discussions and cultural events scheduled now through the end of November.

Reading helps bridge cultures and communities, opens us up to new ideas and ways of thinking, and can help engage us in civic participation — a cornerstone of our democracy.

As we become less a nation of readers, we are also becoming less involved in the governance of our nation. Many see a link in the declines in reading and civic participation.

If we are going to continue as a vibrant, imaginative nation, we cannot risk further erosion of reading.

Reversing America's dismal reading trend will only happen one reader at a time. You and your family can be a part of that change. If you haven't picked up a book just for the pleasure of reading for awhile, return to the habit. If you are an avid reader, encourage a friend or youngster to join the community of avid readers.

Become a part of the Big Read — and then keep on reading for a lifetime.