It is an annual program, commencing
in 2009, that features different books and authors every year. At the core of the program is a belief that making reading fun, exciting and occasionally educational, will stimulate a passion for lifelong learning in all of us.

St. Louis County Library and St. Louis
Public Library will host events with each of the featured authors and a variety of programs and activities designed around each book.

Each year, Read St. Louis will showcase books selected by the two libraries from at least five distinct categories. In 2010, the categories are: classic fiction, modern fiction, non-fiction/memoir, young adult and children's fiction.