It's such a great idea, one that Duluth and St. Paul and all kinds of other places have embraced for years. And now it's Minneapolis' turn -- "One Minneapolis One Read," a loosely structured, voluntary program where everyone in a city is encouraged to read the same book. (Even though, strictly speaking, there is more than one Minneapolis.)

The concept started back in the late 1990s with Nancy Pearl, legendary uber-librarian, who called it, "If All of Seattle Read the Same Book." That name, lyrical though it is, wasn't going to fly anywhere outside of Washington state. Boston, when they hopped on the bandwagon, called it "One City One Story." Iowa, with "All Iowa Reads," upped the ante, boldly claiming the entire state would read the same book. Utah went with the whole-state concept, too, but the name they came up with was leaden on the tongue: "Common Literature Experience." It sounds scoldy and boring and you can't help but think the book they choose is going to be "Pilgrim's Progress." (It wasn't.)

But I digress. As I so often do. We were talking Minneapolis.

Minneapolis has chosen "The Grace of Silence," by Minneapolis native (and now National Public Radio star) Michele Norris, a lovely and powerful book about growing up as part of the only black family on her block in Minneapolis. She went to Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota.

The One Minneapolis One Read launched this morning when students at South High gathered to Skype with Norris and then were given copies of her book.

Other events for the community include an appearance by Norris, in conversation with Kerri Miller, on Oct. 3 at the Guthrie Theater. For a full listing, check out the city's website.