The Fox Cities Book Festival is thrilled to announce “Bird Box” by Josh Malerman as the 2023 Fox Cities Reads selection.

The Fox Cities Book Festival, in partnership with public libraries of the Fox Cities, works to promote literacy through an annual community read. Each year, we select an author and title to promote for Fox Cities Reads and encourage the people in our communities to read, think, talk, listen, and grow together.

The Fox Cities Reads event will take place at 6 p.m. May 11 at Poplar Hall in Appleton.

During this free event, Malerman will discuss the craft of writing in the horror genre, focusing on his best-selling book “Bird Box.” Beginning at 5 p.m., guests may purchase food and drinks at a food truck onsite. Poplar Hall will serve food and drinks as well.

Malerman is the mastermind behind the 2018 hit Netflix thriller, “Bird Box,” starring Sandra Bullock. An author of short stories and novels, Malerman is also the singer/songwriter of the Detroit rock band The High Strung.

In the leadup up to Fox Cities Reads, partnering libraries will also present several community book discussions:

  • April 6, 10 a.m., Menasha Public Library
  • April 13, 5 p.m., Appleton Public Library
  • April 14, 9 a.m., Appleton Public Library (Zoom only)
  • April 17, 6:30 p.m., Little Chute Public Library
  • April 18, 4 p.m., Stone Arch Tied House, Little Chute (in partnership with Kaukauna Public Library
  • April 24, 10 a.m., Neenah Public Library
  • May 8, 5 p.m., Kimberly Public Library

Sponsors of the event include the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and Lakeside Book Co.

Fox Cities libraries will have plenty of copies of the book on hand for readers to check out. “Bird Box” also is available on Libby and Hoopla as an e-book and downloadable audiobook.

“The Fox Cities board of directors and community partners encourage local readers and non-readers alike to open up and read ‘Bird Box’ in hopes that the thrill of reading will inspire community members to read, think, talk, listen and grow together,” says Fox Cities Book Festival board president Holly Selwitschka.