The planning committee for the annual community reading program known as Linn Area Reads has selected Pride and Prejudice by author Jane Austen for the 2013 edition of the program.

Linn Area Reads is a program of the Metro Library Network, which is made up of the Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha Public Libraries. All Linn Area Reads events are free and open to the public.

Pride and Prejudice celebrates the 200^th anniversary of its publication on January 27, 2013. The story is set in the turn of the 19^th century and deals with issues of morality, education, marriage and class.

“The themes in this book still persist in our society,” said Amber Mussman, Public Information Officer with the Cedar Rapids Public Library and member of the selection committee. “Despite the fact that 200 years have passed since the book was published, we can relate to the characters in many ways.”

Linn Area Reads programs include:

• Weekly Book Discussions: 6:30 pm,  March 7, 14, and 21 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 333 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
• Pride and Prejudice on the Big Screen: 7:30 pm on March 28 at Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 3^rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids
• Afternoon Tea and Scones with Jane—A Portrait of Jane Austen by Melissa Sodeman: 2:00 pm on March 9 at the Granger House, 970 10^th Street, Marion.  Registration is required for this event. Visit http://bit.ly/linnareareads to register or contact a metro library.

Linn Area Reads is supported by Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Friends of the Hiawatha Public Library, Friends of the Marion Public Library, the Granger House Museum, the Metro Library Network, and Theatre Cedar Rapids.