Imagine something along the lines of a giant book club, with more than 70,000 participants, and you've got yourself the first-ever Plymouth Citywide Read event, which kicks off tonight.

Plymouth Parks and Recreation and the Plymouth Fine Arts Council invite community members to read Michael Perry's memoir, Population: 485. But instead of facilitating discussion groups for the masses, Citywide Read hosts three (free!) community events based around the book.

> Kick-off is tonight, Monday, February 1, at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Historical Museum (3605 Fernbrook Ln. N.), where visitors can tour the museum, sample old-time treats and learn more about Plymouth's history while listening to a presentation by Mayor Kelli Slavik.

> Fifty Years in Service is a fire department celebration slated for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the fire station on Dunkirk Avenue, drawing on Perry's experience as a volunteer firefighter.

> Citywide Read culminates in Primavera at 7 p.m. Monday April 19, at Plymouth Creek Center. Michael Perry himself speaks about his experiences and answers questions about the book as part of the city's annual celebration of the arts.

Additionally, books are available at a discount at Plymouth resident Charlie Leonard's The Bookcase in Wayzata. --Caitlin HIll