ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap will again host The Big Read, a community project where everyone reads the same book, in 2025.

This year’s featured novel is “The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter.

“The Cold Millions” is a critically acclaimed, nationally bestselling novel set in Spokane, Washington, about two brothers who are swept into the turbulent class warfare of the early 20th century, according to a press release.

Fishtrap has provided more than 700 free books to schools, libraries and community centers in Wallowa and Union counties. Plus, Fishtrap, Cook Memorial Library, Eastern Oregon University Library and Art Center East will host weekly events and discussions for readers of all ages.

The Big Read kicks off Thursday, Jan. 9 with an interactive musical event called “Songs of the People” featuring songs from the early 20th century Vaudeville and Labor Movement hosted by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance.

“The Music Alliance is excited about this creative collaboration — a chance to bring our community together to read this great novel that covers some important issues,” said Janis Carper, executive director of WVMA. “We’ll be introducing folks to the themes and characters of the book through short vignettes and rousing sing-a-longs for all to participate in.”

Following the kickoff, events and book discussions will take place each week surrounding themes in the novel, including conversations on the labor movement, film screenings of the musical “Newsies” and documentary “The Wobblies,” book discussions and more.

The Big Read concludes Wednesday, Feb. 5, with a finale event with the author at Fishtrap in Enterprise. Look for the full schedule of events at fishtrap.org.

The Big Read

Since 2006, Fishtrap has presented an NEA Big Read or Fishtrap Reads program as a way to bring works of literature to local communities by providing public events, discussions, and free books to schools and libraries, as well as the general public, in Wallowa and Union counties.

The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Mike Midlo, Fishtrap program director, said The Big Read is supported locally by neighborhood businesses, foundations and organizations, including The Bookloft, Oregon Arts Commission, Eagle Cap Vacation Rentals, and Pacific Power plus program partners in Cook Memorial Library, Art Center East and the Eastern Oregon University library.

Schedule

Thursday, Jan. 9

Kickoff event with “Songs of the People,” 7 p.m. at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. Enterprise and online at fishtrap.org. $10 suggested donation

Wednesday, Jan. 15

“Unabashed, Unafraid, Unashamed: Women Fighters on the Front Line of Oregon’s Labor movement with Moe Bowstern” — 7 p.m. at Fishtrap and fishtrap.org.

Labor activist and historian Moe Bowstern offers a look at the remarkable and brave lives of union writer Julia Ruuttila, who Jess Walter included as a character in “The Cold Millions,” and her longtime partner and women’s rights champion, Dr. Marie Equi.

Friday, Jan. 17

Screening of the Disney musical “Newsies” — 4 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Screening of the documentary film “The Wobblies” — 2 p.m. at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St., Enterprise.

“The Wobblies” (1979) is a documentary about the Industrial Workers of the World, a union that opposed World War I and sought to overthrow capitalism.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Join Jennifer Gibbs, of the Wallowa History Center, as she unfolds the fascinating story of Eugene Barnett, the man who wrote a song to his wife from jail in 1919 titled, “Wallowa Love” and the surprising story behind it of a shooting in Centralia between labor workers and the American Legion. This begins at noon at the Josephy Center, 403 N. Main St., Joseph.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Book discussion, 2-3 p.m. at Enterprise Public Library, 101 NE First St., Enterprise.

Thursday, Jan. 23

“Industrial Workers of the World 1905-1935” with Aaron Goings at 7 p.m. online at fishtrap.org.

Founded in 1905, the Industrial Workers of the World captured the imagination of a generation with its fiery rhetoric, daring tactics, and program of revolutionary industrial unionism. Join Aaron Goings, author of “The Red Coast: Radicalism and Anti-Radicalism in Southwest Washington” and “The Port of Missing Men: Billy Gohl, Labor, and Brutal Times in the Pacific Northwest” for an online discussion of the times and people who led to this movement.

Thursday, Jan. 23

Screening of “The Wobblies” — 4:30 p.m. at Eastern Oregon University in Ackerman Hall Room 201, La Grande.

Friday, Jan. 24

Book discussion, 5 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Book discussion, 1-2 p.m. at Wallowa Public Library, 201 E. First St. Wallowa

Thursday, Jan. 30

Book discussion, noon at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St., Enterprise.

Thursday, Jan. 30

Book discussion, 2-3 p.m. at Joseph Public Library, 201 N. Main St., Joseph.

Friday, Jan. 31

Ryan Dearinger presents “Labor History in the Pacific Northwest” at 5:30 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

The Big Read finale with Jess Walter — 7 p.m. at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. in Enterprise and online at fishtrap.org.

Meet Jess Walter, author of “The Cold Millions” and learn how he was inspired to write the story and find inspiration for its characters. Tickets are $15, $12.50 for Fishtrappers and $5 students. Online tickets are available at the same price.

Thursday, Feb. 6

A conversation with author Jess Walter — 10 a.m., Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande.