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As the South still suffers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the words of the region's best writers will be read today to aid the victims.
Local author Alice Hoffman has organized the reading at Newtonville Books at 5 p.m., part of a nationwide effort called Writers4Relief.
Author Amy Tan founded Writers4Relief in response to last year's tsunami in Southern Asia. Following Katrina, Tan asked members to re- focus on the disaster at home.
Today's lineup of readers includes Susan Orlean, Tom Perrotta, Lois Lowry, Jayne Anne Phillips and Alan Lightman.
As for who they will be reading: "I expect William Faulkner will show up," said Newtonville Books owner Timothy Huggins.
"I'm thinking of reading something by chef Paul Prudhomme," Hoffman said. "It's a reading of all kinds of Southern literature."
That today is also the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks adds another layer of sorrow to the event.
"We're helping the survivors of Katrina, having our voices heard, and it's a great way to take back Sept. 11," Hoffman said.
The Writers4Relief readings of Southern writers will benefit the American Red Cross. The event is at Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut St., Newton, at 5 p.m. Admission is $30. Call 617-244-6619.
(C) 2005 Boston Herald. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
