Every year the city of Vienna gives away 100,000 books to the masses. In 2005, John Irving’s “Setting Free the Bears” was given away for free. Irving’s first novel was directly influenced by his long stay in Vienna.

Last November, it was Toni Morrison’s turn. Her debut novel “The Bluest Eye” was the city’s pick. Morrison’s story is about humanism and racism in early 1940s America. Its themes intersect powerfully with Vienna’s seemingly never-ending fight against xenophobia.

As far as we’ve been able to tell, Vienna is the only city in the world that hands over free books written by internationally known writers for mass consumption.

Through May 1, ORF Wien and the cultural magazine Wien Live are requesting input from the public regarding favorite literary picks as part and parcel of the launch of the Read Me: Mein Lieblingsbuch program.

By signing up, inhabitants are eligible to win prizes. This week, a complete tea service is up for grabs. We’re hoping to be notified that our tea service will arrive shortly. The main prize? A weekend trip to London for two.

A huge gala announcing the top 100 choices is scheduled for May 2 in the Main City Hall. Andrej Kurkow—a Russian best-selling author—will grace the event.

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