The SoIN Big Read is an annual, month-long book club across all of Southern Indiana. Read on to learn about this year’s program.
This year’s Big Read is upon us, and we’re reading Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee! Joyful is all about “the surprising power of ordinary things to create extraordinary happiness.” We could all use a bit more joy in our lives, and we’re excited to partner once again with Southern Indiana libraries and arts organizations to bring you this program.
We’ve planned a month-long schedule of colorful, joy-filled events across our community including crafts, book discussions, spoken word poetry, and more!
To begin, you can pick up your free copy of Joyful at either JTPL location circulation desk. Books are also available at Floyd County Library, Harrison County Library, Jasteka Cultural Center, and the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana. Then enjoy any number of our over 20 events throughout the month.
When you pick up your copy of Joyful, you’ll receive this roadmap of all the 2026 Big Read events.
We’ve got lots of Big Read events here at JTPL, including:
Envisioning Joy
Elizabeth believes that “being surrounded by beauty is important. Some things in life should give you pause; a moment to breathe, collect your thoughts, and feel good.” Join her to make some art about it!
Saturday, October 3
10 – 11 a.m.
JTPL Clarksville
The Neuroscience of Positive Emotion
Learn about the science behind positive emotions with an IUS professor. What really happens in your brain when you are happy?
Tuesday, October 13
6 – 7 p.m.
JTPL Clarksville
Blackout Poetry
Have you heard of Blackout Poetry? Start with a page full of words: an old book, a newspaper, a advertisement. Then black out the page so that the only words left showing create a unique poem!
Tuesday, October 20
4 – 5 p.m. (teens)
6 – 7 p.m. (adults)
JTPL Clarksville
The Power of Positive Emotions
This event is at the Jasteka Cultural Center… but it features our library director! David Seckman is giving a talk all about the essential power that positive emotions can have in our daily lives.
Tuesday, October 27
6 – 8 p.m.
Jasteka Cultural Center
(101 Logistics Ave, Jeffersonville)