About One Book, One Community

The "One Book, One Community" program encourages the Marquette County and Northern Michigan University community to read the same book and to come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. Although dozens of similar programs have been sponsored nationwide, this is one that brings together a county and a university.

ANNOUNCING
NMU/Marquette County’s
ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY
selection for 2009
The Things They Carried
By Tim O’Brien

Though critics can’t agree whether to call this fine book a novel or a series of linked stories, their acclaim is universal. O’Brien mined his experiences as a foot soldier in Vietnam to write this powerful American classic that unflinchingly examines the myriad effects of war on man. The fighting, the waiting, the monotony, and, finally, the aftermath are all brutally scrutinized in heartbreakingly beautiful prose that captivates and educates readers of all ages.

Great News!  Author Tim O'Brien is Coming to Marquette!

Mark your calendar for 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 7 for Tim O'Brien's discussion of The Things They Carried. He will also take questions from the audience. The event will be held in the Great Lakes rooms of the NMU University Center. Thanks to the NMU student chapters of the Marquette Alger Reading Council and Sigma Tau Delta, the NMU Student Finance Committee and the English Department for sponsoring the visit.

Click on News and Events to see the book discussions and other special events surrounding this book. Plus, check out Marquette County's One Book One Community on Facebook!

The One Book One Community program also encourages participation in The Great Michigan Read. The selection for the 2009-10 Great Michigan Read is Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen. For details on the book and program, see www.michiganhumanities.org.

An online registration system for Great Michigan Read partners is also be available on the council's Web site, where organizations, schools, or classrooms can request support materials.

What readers are saying

"Thanks for choosing The Things They Carried as the community read. The ending brought such emotion. I will experience the week with pictures and thoughts drifting through my head."  —Marcia Cox, Autrain

What should we read next?

E-mail your book suggestions to onebook@nmu.edu. Please include title, author and a brief description of the book and why you think it would be a good community read. We try to select books of interest, fiction or non-fiction, to a wide range of people-from age 18 to 108.