June 2011

One Book One Burlington 2011 selection announced

This year’s One Book One Burlington selection was revealed last night as part of Burlington Public Library’s National Aboriginal Day program at Central Library. Deputy Mayor Blair Lancaster and the Peel Aboriginal Network were on hand to help the library announce this year’s selected book, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor written by one of Canada’s foremost journalists, Sally Armstrong.

“2011 marks the fifth year of One Book One Burlington, and the first year we’ve chosen a ‘true account’ as our One Book,” says Amanda Larsen, assistant manager of Information Services. “The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor recounts the adventures one of the first female settlers of the Miramichi in New Brunswick. Sally Armstrong, who wrote the book, is also the great-great-great-granddaughter of this remarkable woman!”

“It’s such a good story on so many levels. It’s a story of a strong woman, but it’s not a ‘chick’ book. It’s a story of survival; it’s an emigration and immigration story; it’s a love and a loss story; it’s about people and it’s about family and community,” adds Carrie Brooks-Joiner, library board chair. “This selection is a double bonus as it’s also a fascinating story about early Canada.”

According to Brooks-Joiner, this book will resonate with Burlington residents and support the making of connections between people who would not necessarily connect with each other. One Book One Burlington is a shared reading experience that crosses ages, genders, neighbourhoods, and backgrounds and builds a stronger, more engaged community.

This past winter an enthusiastic group of volunteers from the community read five Canadian novels that were shortlisted by a small team of library staff. In the spring, once they read and debated the merits of each novel as a suitable community read, one title was chosen as Burlington’s “best read” for 2011. Membership on the Community Selection Team is open to anyone who lives in Burlington and loves to read. Applications are available on the library’s website every fall.

This year’s One Book One Burlington program line-up promises to be exciting—and tasty. The first event to kick off the One Book season is a Maritime-style kitchen party on Thursday, July 14. Burlington Public Library and Red Canoe Bistro will co-host a three course Acadian-inspired meal with optional Maritime wine pairings, and live, traditional Canadian music. The event, Fête L’Acadie, will take place at the restaurant, located at 398 John Street. Tickets cost $30/person and can be purchased at Red Canoe Bistro or the 3rd floor Information Desk at Central Library.

Looking to the fall, fans of the book will have an opportunity to meet the author Sally Armstrong on Wednesday, September 28. The library will announce details on this and other exciting One Book One Burlington programs in mid-August.

“This year’s book tells a compelling story that challenges the reader to decide how much is fact and how much is fiction. It is a ‘great read’ and it will be difficult for anyone to put it down as you will want to keep reading,” says Maureen Barry, BPL chief executive officer.

One Book One Burlington web page