NYC mayor's office launches celeb-filled reading program

New York City is launching a large-scale reading initiative focused on race and immigration, the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday.

The campaign comes as African-American History Month begins and the changes in the White House administration ignite daily national discussions that touch on race. "One Book, One New York" will ask people to vote on a book via a special web page or kiosks in the subways.

Celebrities such as comedian Larry Wilmore, actress Danielle Brooks from Netflix's "Orange is the New Black," actress Bebe Neuwirth and actor Giancarlo Esposito will help spread awareness of the campaign, which will include subways and buses. New York City is launching the program in partnership with the BuzzFeed news organization.

"New York City is proud to be the creative capital of the world," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “The One Book, One New York initiative provides the perfect opportunity to bring city residents from all five boroughs together through reading."

The five book finalists are: "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz, "The Sellout"  by Paul Beatty and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith. They were featured during an unveiling Wednesday on two Jumbotrons in Times Square.

The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment came up with the finalists in collaboration with representatives from the public libraries, the city's universities and the book publishing industry. The books will be for sale around the city but also available for borrowing at the libraries.

"The power of reading is on display every day at The New York Public Library: the power to inform and to unite people, communities, and indeed whole cities," New York Public Library president Tony Marx said in a statement.

New Yorkers can vote throughout February online and at interactive kiosks in the subways. The winner will be announced in early March but events will take place throughout June.