After a month of special events, films and book discussions, The Big Read wraps up with a visit from Jess Walter, author of this year’s featured title, “The Cold Millions.”

The finale is Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. in Enterprise. It will also be streamed at fishtrap.org.

Tickets, for both in-person and virtual attendees, are $15 general, $12.50 for Fishtrappers or $5 for students. Purchase tickets at fishtrap.org.

The next day, Feb. 6, Walter will lead a conversation at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St. in La Grande, starting at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

“The Cold Millions” is a critically acclaimed, nationally bestselling novel set in Spokane, Washington, about two brothers who are swept into the turbulent class warfare of the early 20th century.

With 10 books under his belt, Walter is perhaps best known for his No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Beautiful Ruins,” which was on the list for 69 weeks, five of those in the top spot.

According to a Fishtrap press release, he began his writing journey in 1987 as a reporter for his hometown newspaper, The Spokesman-Review. His reporting for the paper on the standoff at Ruby Ridge was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize and became the subject of Walter’s first and only nonfiction book, “Every Knee Shall Bow.” He has also worked as a screenwriter and has taught graduate creative writing at the University of Iowa, Pacific University, Eastern Washington University, and Pacific Lutheran University.

In “The Cold Millions,” Walter navigates themes of economic disparity, labor rights and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set in his hometown of Spokane, Washington, during the early 20th century, it is the “portrait of a nation contending with the chasm between rich and poor, between harsh realities and simple dreams,” according to Fishtrap.

Fishtrap provided more than 700 free books to schools, libraries and community centers in Wallowa and Union counties.

“We love having youth involved in The Big Read and were thrilled to be able to put books in the hands of so many students,” said Jennifer Hobbs, Fishtrap youth and outreach manager. “Their participation, energy and perspective bring so much to the conversation, especially since one of the key themes this year is the profound impact of young voices.”

Fishtrap partnered with several local organizations to offer 15 events and discussions for readers of all ages to engage with the book in meaningful ways.

“My favorite Big Read events are those where we explore the people and ideas we may never been exposed to before,” said Shannon McNerney, Fishtrap executive director. “For me, the events and discussion this year are helping me better understand how the labor movements in the earlier part of the last century created the foundations for the way we look at work today.”

The Big Read kicked off Jan. 9 with an interactive musical event called “Songs of the People” hosted by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance. Audience members were introduced to characters from “The Cold Millions” and tunes from early 20th-century vaudeville and the Labor Movement, including “Union Maid” and “Shine on Harvest Moon.”

“The Music Alliance was excited to be a part of this creative collaboration — a chance to bring our community together to read this great novel that covers some important issues,” said Janis Carper, the alliance’s executive director. “We introduced folks to themes and characters in the book through short vignettes and rousing sing-a-longs for all to participate in.”

Following the kickoff, events and book discussions took place each week surrounding themes in the novel including conversations on the labor movement, film screenings of the musical “Newsies” and documentary “The Wobblies,” book discussions, and more.

About The Big Read

Since 2006, Fishtrap has presented an NEA Big Read or Fishtrap Reads program as a way to bring great works of literature to communities by providing public events, discussions and free books to Wallowa and Union county schools, libraries and the general public. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

The program is supported locally by The Bookloft, Oregon Arts Commission, Eagle Cap Vacation Rentals and Pacific Power; plus program partners in Cook Memorial Library, Art Center East, Eastern Oregon University Library, Josephy Center for Arts and Culture and the Wallowa History Center.