Steve Lopez, a busy human-interest columnist for The Los Angeles Times, was walking back to his downtown office some years ago when he spotted a homeless man on a street corner who was dressed in rags and playing Beethoven on a battered violin. He started learning about the man and writing about him.
So popular were his columns that he wrote a book last year, The Soloist, about the relationship. It has been adapted into a movie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx that will be released in April.
The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County has chosen Lopez's The Soloist for this year’s On the Same Page Community-Wide Reading Program. Lopez will be present for a launch and reception 2-4 p.m. Sunday at downtown’s Main Branch. He’ll also appear 6 p.m. Sunday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and 7 p.m. Monday at UC’s Great Hall.
Read Steve Rosen's interview with Lopez here.
