The Big Read is a community-wide project for Snohomish and Island counties, sponsored by Sno-Isle Libraries and the Everett Public Library, that encourages residents to read the same book and come together to discuss and celebrate the experience.

The book chosen for this year's event, which runs through the month of May, is Dashiell Hammett's classic detective novel, "The Maltese Falcon."

Throughout the month, the celebration of Hammett's novel includes book group discussions, film screenings and events that include mystery-themed activities and music from the 1920s. For the first time ever, The Big Read will include a local geocaching scavenger hunt using GPS technology, leading participants to various libraries to answer questions about the book.

To help kick off the interactive program, Hammett's granddaughter, Julie Rivett, will be the guest speaker at two special events. See Rivett on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Room at the Everett Station, and Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. at the Snohomish Library.

Rivett helped edit two Edgar Award nominated books, "Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett, 1921-1960" and her mother's memoir, "Dashiell Hammett: A Daughter Remembers." The author's granddaughter curates Hammett and "Maltese Falcon" exhibits, writes about her grandfather and his creation, Sam Spade, and lectures throughout the U.S. on the subject.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture. Sno-Isle Libraries and the Everett Public Library will join more than 200 communities nationwide participating in the Big Read.