Back in the late 1990s, I was living in Seattle, Washington when the public library launched an experiment: What if an entire city read the same book? They called it “If All of Seattle Read the Same Book.” I little wordy, sure. But the concept was wildly unique.
At the time, I remember thinking it was a nice idea – incredible and unlikely, even – but I had no sense that it would go on to inspire cities across the U.S. and eventually, around the world.
Now, years later, I find myself in Mainz, Germany, where the very same idea has taken root in its own way.
“Mainz liest ein Buch” will return in 2026 for its third edition, and September 9th was the kick-off event where locals gathered to chat about what we all, as a community, can do for this. What’s being planned for next year includes poetry workshops, garden tours, film screenings, and more – all sparked by Milena Michiko Flašar’s novel Oben Erde, unten Himmel (Above Ground, Below Sky).
I actually came across the book at a recent poetry reading by Martina Leber – a lovely coincidence that now connects two very different literary moments in my life. (You can read about that event here.)
And as if the shared reading experience weren’t exciting enough, the author herself will be coming to Mainz during the festival week. She’ll be here to attend events and join the conversation firsthand: June 7-14, 2026.
There’s something quietly powerful about a community coming together around a single book. It creates a shared cultural moment, a kind of collective reflection. Reading can so often feel solitary, but initiatives like this remind us that stories are meant to be shared.
It’s exciting to see Mainz embrace this format and shape it into something local, lively, and deeply human.
Who knows what conversations – or connections – the next chapter might bring?
Learn more or get involved: mainzliest.de.
