The Great Read (formerly known as Reading Across Plainfield) was created in 2004 to promote literacy, reading, conversation and community in the greater Plainfield area.

The program started in September 2004 with Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s science fiction classic about government censorship.

In October 2005 the community enjoyed several age-appropriate books about Ernest Shackleton’s true-life adventures exploring the Antarctic.

In February 2007, the program featured two books about sports legend, community leader, role model, business entrepreneur, and world-wide superstar, Chicago Bears great Walter Payton – his autobiography, Never Die Easy, and Payton, written by his wife, Connie, and their children, Jarrett and Brittney.

In 2007-2008, the program featured Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. The book told the story of the work of an American mountain climber – Mortenson -- to build public schools, especially for girls, in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In 2008, Reading Across Plainfield was re-named The Great Read to encourage broader community participation, better reflect the areas served by the participating organizations and emphasize the program’s literary focus.

In 2008-2009, The Great Read featured "Playing with the Enemy," by Gary W. Moore, a story about baseball, World War II, fathers and sons, and the magical, mythical connections between all of those elements.

The Great Read is proudly presented by Plainfield District 202; the Plainfield Public Library; the Joliet Public Library; the Shorewood/Troy Library; and the Fountaindale Public Library, and the Plainfield-area Barnes and Noble stores.