By Staff Writer, Alex Von Ritzhoff

“What are you reading?” is a question that is easily answered in Glendale these days.
One Book One Glendale is a city-wide reading event happening right now. Mary Alice Wollam and Pat Parzeia, co-founders of the program, chose this book to be read by the entire city early October to late November.
            The book chosen is Julie Ostuka’s novel, When the Emperor Was Divine, a story about a Japanese family’s experience in an internment camp during World War II.

Here at school, English students are reading the novel, and next week Ostuka will be visiting the campus, helping students gain a deeper understanding of her work.  
            One Book One Glendale hosts meetings about once every two weeks to discuss the book at different locations such as Whole Foods, Starbucks, Borders, etc. It advertises through “brochures, public appearances, and [write-ups] in the Glendale News Press,” Wollam said.
            During their meetings, they ask questions and comment about the book.
            “I liked the book because it was short,” said John Hotonian, a prominent member of the club. Club member Barbara Lukaszewski said she likes the book because it makes her “want to learn more about [the internment camps].”  
            They go into more detail about the book and the world events that occurred during the time. For example, they discuss the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and how the U.S. government ordered all Japanese-Americans to be placed into relocation camps.