Join Mayor Annise Parker and Houston Public Library Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson for the opening celebration of the Ninth Annual Books on the Bayou. The program encourages Houstonians to read the same book at the same time, provoking discussion among co-workers, friends, families and classrooms. This year’s selection is Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi.

Mayor Parker’s welcome address begins at 11 a.m. and the celebration follows with a Persian cuisine, musical and dance performances, speakers, book discussions, and a film screening of the award-winning film adaptation of  Persepolis  (a French film with English subtitles). In addition, at 1:15 p.m. there will be a screening of archival footage of Satrapi’s visit to Houston. The event ends at 5 p.m.