West Sound Reads is a consortium of the Kitsap Regional Library and West Sound independent books stores, including Eagle Harbor Book Store (Bainbridge Island), Liberty Bay Books (Poulsbo), The Traveler (Bainbridge Island), Dauntless Books (Port Gamble), and Bethel Avenue Books (Port Orchard).

The goal is to bring nationally known authors with new works to the West Sound region for free readings and book signings.

 Donations at West Sound Reads events plus a portion of book sales benefit the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation.

Past West Sound Reads events have included presentations by such authors as Barbara Kingsolver, Sherman Alexie, Lemony Snicket, Henry Winkler, Andre Dubus III, Lisa See, Rebecca Wells, Nancy Pearl and Philippa Gregory.

Recent West Sound Reads Event:

Christopher Paolini

Interview with Christopher Paolini in the North Kitsap Herald

Video of Christopher Paolini meeting with student reporters from Bainbridge Island, WA before his presentation

Christopher Paolini read from Inheritance, the final book in his Inheritance cycle on Monday, November 28 at Bainbridge High School Commons

Christopher Paolini has lived most of his life in Paradise Valley, Montana. The tall, jagged Beartooth Mountains that rise on one side of Paradise Valley inspired the fantastic scenery in "Eragon," the first novel in his Inheritance cycle. Christopher was homeschooled by his parents and often wrote short stories and poems, made frequent trips to the library, and read widely. He was 15 when he wrote the first draft of "Eragon" and his family self-published the book in 2001.

In August 2003, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers re-published "Eragon" and it was an instant success, reaching a worldwide audience. Christopher's second novel, "Eldest," was published in 2005, followed by "Brisingr" in 2008. To date, there are 49 foreign-language licenses for "Eragon" alone, and together the first three books in the series have sold 25 million copies worldwide.

In "Eragon," 15-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save - or destroy - the Empire. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, continue their adventures and battles against the Empire's warriors in "Eldest" and "Brisingr." The long months of training and battle have bring victories and hope, along with heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead.

In "Inheritance," the final book in the cycle, Eragon and Saphira finally  confront King Galbatorix, the cruel leader of the Empire. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

"The burning questions asked by fans around the world will finally be answered in this last installment," Paolini said. "All will be revealed!"