McKinney, Texas  – Friends and neighbors across the community are joining together for a cultural cause during the 2013 “Read Across McKinney” event. “Read Across McKinney” cultivates a culture of reading and discussion by bringing one of the fastest-growing communities in the country together around one book supplemented by interactive events like a play, author appearances and book club activities.

This year’s “Read Across McKinney” selection, The Language of Flowers by New York Times bestselling author Vanessa Diffenbaugh, is a novel that explores the themes of forgiveness and second chances.

Diffenbaugh will appear at two events on Thursday, Oct. 17. First, she will join attendees at a lunch at Heard-Craig Hall, 306 N. Church St. at 11:30 a.m. That evening, Diffenbaugh will give a free lecture and host a discussion at Boyd High School, 600 N. Lake Forest Dr. at 7 p.m. Registration is required, but the tickets are free to the public. Visit www.ReadAcrossMckinney.org to buy tickets to the lunch or register for the lecture.

“Read Across McKinney joins residents across the city as they read the same book at the same time, creating a citywide book club. The Language of Flowers is a mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, and it illustrates how individuals define their own community. We are excited for our community to escape with this book,” said McKinney Library Director Beth Scudder.

The McKinney Public Library System has purchased multiple copies of the featured book in English, large print, audiobook and e-book formats. All event information and additional reading resources can be found online at www.ReadAcrossMckinney.org.