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In October, we will discuss the One Maryland One Book selection "The Book of Delights: Essays" by Ross Gay. Recommended for ages 55+.
What is One Maryland One Book?
When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading.
In that spirit, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. We invite you to participate in book-centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.
OMOB programs, including an author tour, take place each year in the fall. A calendar of free public events will be available online this summer.
2021 One Maryland One Book: The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay.
In The Book of Delights, one of today’s most literary voices offers up a genre-defying volume of lyric essays written over one tumultuous year. The first nonfiction book from award-winning poet Ross Gay is a record of the small joys we often overlook in our busy lives. Among Gay’s funny, poetic, philosophical delights: a friend’s unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an airplane, the silent nod of acknowledgement between the only two black people in a room. But Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in America as a black man or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture or the loss of those he loves. More than any other subject, though, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world—his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.
The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. These remarkable pieces serve as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.
Ross Gay on One Maryland One Book:
“I’m so grateful that The Book of Delights was chosen for One Maryland One Book. It feels lucky to get to share this collection of questions and wonderings with you all for so many reasons (one of them that my big brother was an English teacher in Frederick a couple decades ago!). And I’m really looking forward to the conversations we’ll have about the book this fall.”
Free e-Book of the One Maryland One Book Selection
Other CCPL OMOB Programs:
CCPL OMOB Book Club Bundles 9/1 - 9/30
Saturday Morning Book Discussion 9/25 at 10 AM
CCPL Composting Workshop 9/25 at 11 AM
La Plata Book Discussion 10/14 7 PM
Recommended for ages 55+. This meeting will be hosted using Google Meets.
NOTE: Registrants will receive an email with the meeting link 1 hour before the program.
Be sure to check your Spam/Junk folder if you haven't received the event login information 45mins prior to the event start in your Inbox. If you did not receive an email at all, please contact us through our Chat feature on our website.
Charles County Public Library events are accessible for all. If you have an accessibility request, please contact programs@ccplonline.org three business days prior to the event.
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
Friday: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sunday: CLOSED
La Plata Branch
2 Garrett Avenue
La Plata, MD 20646
301/934-9001
P.D. Brown Memorial Branch
50 Village Street
Waldorf, MD 20602
301/645-2864
Potomac Branch
3225 Ruth B. Swann Drive
Indian Head, MD 20640
301/375-7375
Waldorf West Branch
10405 O’Donnell Place
Waldorf, MD 20603
301/645-1395
Mobile Library Branch
2 Garrett Avenue
La Plata, MD 20646
301/456-4333
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