If you live in the City of Atlanta, today is a big day! You will choose your next Atlanta Mayor (or at least narrow down the pool of candidates) and we know that you put a lot of effort into researching the best choice for you and your families.
But have you thought about what books your candidates keep on their nightstands? We have! And in a last minute effort to help you make the most informed choice possible, we have compiled that list for your hear today. We also asked our candidates to share the title of the book they were reading and why they might recommend this book and their thoughts about why the library is important to them.
We hope you'll enjoy the list as much as we enjoyed collecting it. As of press time (7 am on election day) these are the candidates that responded, in order by the Dewey Decimal code of each of their favorite books, of course.
Kwanza Hall
Last Book Read:
Regarding books I’m reading: the Bible, The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta and of course my internal polling because that’s a nonfiction epic in and of itself.
Why are libraries important?
Libraries were a safe haven for me as a child. I would spend most of my afternoons and weekends at the Adams Park, Greenbriar, Downtown and other libraries. Libraries are critical to the communities they serve, especially for people that may not have access to the internet. I am committed to Atlanta Public Libraries and want to re-engage the community to make the library a place for people of all ages to congregate and learn together in the library of the future.
John Eaves:
Last book read:
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (305.8009)
Why I loved this book:
The Color of Law provides an in-depth analysis of how federal, state, and locals laws adopted in the early 20th century led to segregated neighborhoods in many cities across America - the effects of which are overtly apparent today. Atlanta is not exempt from this analysis. For example, the book explains how: 1) zoning ordinances and school placement policies in Atlanta have resulted in segregated schools and neighborhoods; 2) how federal lending laws prevent minority groups from obtaining loans and integrating certain communities; and 3) it further explains how such laws impacted the current wealth and racial demography of every urban city in the US.
I recommend Rothstein's book to anyone who wants to understand the historical drivers of affordability, residential property values, gentrification, transient resident patterns, and racial divides across our great city. Atlanta has a tremendous opportunity for growth and needs a leader that comprehensively understands why targeted neighborhood revitalization is morally and fiscally critical to move forward. While Rothstein's book explains how Atlanta has become a segregated city, I am committed as Atlanta's next mayor to reverse the trend and move our city forward.
Cathy Woolard:
Last book read:
Woolard offered us a photo of her actual nightstand and shared "I'm not reading as much consistently as I usually do. I have loved reading since I was a kid!" Here are the titles of Candidate Woolard's books, in order as they appear in the photo below:
Obedient Father (FICTION: SHARMA)
Where We Want to Live (307.1216)
For the Love of Cities (307.76)
The Color of Law (305.8009)
America's Moment (303.4833)
City on the Verge (307.3416)
Atlas Obscura (910.41)
The Organized Mind (153.42)
Happy City: transforming our lives through urban design (307.1216)
Peter Aman
Last Book Read:
I just finished reading City on the Verge (Dewey code: 307.3416) by Mark Pendergrast, which is an excellent book that I recommend to everyone. Pendergrast expertly captures the spirit of this moment in Atlanta. The city’s population is booming and we are developing at a clip. Yet displacement, neighborhood integrity, and poverty worsen by the day. We are on the verge of something as a city. With the right leadership, I’m confident that something could be achieving our greatest aspirations.
Why are Libraries important?
An informed electorate is the basis for a sound government. That starts with available access to books and learning. A strong library system helps people young and old spark their learning and ignite their communities.
Caesar Mitchell
Last book read:
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise; illustrations by Clement Hurd
Little Professor Sky: Favorite Things, by Munson Steed
(Children's/Juvenile books do not have dewey codes, but kudos on reading to the little ones!)
Bedtime reading with my daughters Canon and Czarya is important to me, so the last book I’ve read is actually one of their favorites, Goodnight Moon. It’s an old classic even though it gets pulled off the shelf most often, they’re always attentive and excited like it’s our first time reading it. I think the bright illustrations are the secret sauce! Personally, I enjoy the book’s simplicity and the fact that we can improvise without losing the essence of the storyline… “Goodnight Atlanta.”
Why are libraries important?
The library is not simply important, I believe it is essential to our community. In many ways, the library is our original world wide web. It’s a place where you can pick up a book and travel anywhere – real or imagined -- through pages and pictures. As an APS student and the son of a schoolteacher, the library provided respite throughout my childhood. Even as a student at Morehouse College, the library always served as a haven for more than just studying. It was the ultimate destination for bonding and making lifelong friends. The library is the brick-and-mortar version of social networking!
Our libraries also ensure Atlantans of all ages— from parents and students to entrepreneurs and retirees— have the resources they need to succeed at their fingertips. As mayor, I will continue to support policies and initiatives that improve our library system. I believe that every citizen, especially our children, should have access to culture, art, events, and special programming that keep neighborhoods connected, informed and inspired.
Vincent Fort: (did not respond)
Keisha Lance Bottoms: (did not respond)
Mary Norwood: (did not respond)
