One Book, One Community program receives $7,500 grant | Community Spirit

MONROE, MI (Press Release) – One Book, One Community of Monroe County – an annual community reading program modeled after a similar program developed by the American Library Association – has received a $7,500 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

The grant will be used to cover book purchases, programming support and the creation of a tool to assess the impact of the program on the community.

One Book, One Community promotes the value of reading by recommending a compelling book that links community members in a common conversation through readings, group discussions, programs and other events. 

The book selection for One Book, One Community 2013, which kicks off in March, is “One Amazing Thing” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

 “One Amazing Thing” tells the story of nine people struggling to survive together after being trapped by an earthquake.  Faced with the very real possibility of death, one of them suggests that they share “One Amazing Thing” about their lives.  The book brings together people from all walks of life to tell a story about the power of human expression.

Events to enhance the reading of “One Amazing Thing” are currently being planned and will run from March 18 to April 24.  Divakaruni will discuss her book at MCCC’s La-Z-Boy Center on March 27 at 7 p.m. 

Additional details on all One Book, One Community of Monroe County events will be posted at www.monroeccc.edu/onebook as they become available.  Books are available for purchase at the MCCC Bookstore, Book Nook and Books-A-Million.