One Book, One Blog

Haven't read Fahrenheit 451 yet? Looking for something fun to do during school vacation week? Try one of the dramatic readings. On Tuesday, April 18, there will be a reading at noon at Edwards Books in Tower Square. Readers include Mayor Charles V. Ryan, Fire Chief Gary Cassanelli, State Senator Stephen Buoniconti, and students from D.R.E.A.M. Studios Inc. On Friday, April 21, there will be a reading at noon at Eastfield Mall - that one will be in the Center Court, rather than Filene's Court as originally stated. Special readers on Friday include State Senator Brian Lees, State Representative Gale Candaras, and students from D.R.E.A.M Studios Inc. We've chosen six scenes that we think capture the books ideas in a dramatic and compelling way.

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One Book, One Springfield kicked off Sunday afternoon with around 75 people attending Allen Steele’s keynote address and watching the 1966 Francois Truffaut film version of the book. Allen Steele described the genesis of the book from its inception as a short story in 1951 to the 1953 full-length book. He even had a copy of the story’s original publication in Galaxy Science Fiction, and shared the story’s sometimes humorous illustrations, including a wonderful depiction of the scene I call “an evening with ‘the family’ and Dover Beach.” Being a big fan of Bradbury himself, he was an enthusiastic kick-off speaker. A tidbit for Allen Steele fans – he didn’t stay for the film showing, since he needed to get back to work on his latest book, which he said is related to the Coyote series, but not directly part of it.

The Republican has been giving the story great coverage leading up to the kick-off. Articles appeared on March 21 and March 22. Columnists Carrie Barrepski and Tom Shea each based a column on the One Book project. The individual events have been listed in Sunday’s “Booking It” column. In addition, The Republican generously donated three “Get Fired Up!” ads to help get the word out about One Book, One Springfield.

The Reminder ran a nearly full-page article in their March 15-21 issue that included a phone interview with Ray Bradbury himself. Bradbury said that censorship would be “impossible” here because all aspects of society are watching one another. Agree? Our panelists on the April 5 censorship panel (7 pm in the Central Library’s Community Room) will address that and other burning censorship issues.

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One Book, One Blog

For teens - today's UNlisted section in The Republican includes an article about some of the One Book, One Springfield activities that may be especially interesting to teens, including the "Burning Issues" essay contest and the special art class offered in conjunction with the Museum School at the Quadrangle,"Painting with Mixed Media:The Art of Fahrenheit 451." Check it out online at http://www.masslive.com/unlisted/index.ssf?/base/living-0/11414617696960.xml&coll=1.

The Republican is a supporting media sponsor of One Book, One Springfield.

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One Book, One Blog

The second One Book, One Springfield will be kicking off in less than three weeks! All of our library branches still have copies of the 2006 choice, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. The big kick-off event, featuring award-winning science fiction author Allen Steele's introduction to Fahrenheit 451 and a screening of the 1966 film version of the book, is Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts.

Before the official kick-off, though, there is a special pre-program workshop for those that don't have a lot of experience with book discussion groups. On Tuesday, March 14 at 3:00 in the Community Room of the Central Library, educator Nancy McLaughlin will lead a lively, interactive workshop designed to make participants comfortable with the idea of a book group and ready to get the most out of one. To register, call 263-6828, ext. 294.

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Upcoming Events!

One Book, One Blog

We are entering a phase of "One Book" during which there is something scheduled nearly every day! Upcoming book discussions are scheduled for the Indian Orchard Branch Library (April 8), the Liberty Branch (April 11), and the Pine Point Branch (April 12). This Saturday (April 9), join us in the Central Library's community room to view The Long Walk Home, a powerful film about the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. Following the film, there will be an opportunity to discuss this film in the context of the book, exploring such questions as:

1. In what ways was Montgomery, Alabama in the mid-1950s similar to Suffolk, Virginia in the 1930s when Ruth was growing up? In what ways was it different?
2. In the mid-1950s, Ruth was living in New York City with an African-American husband and 6 or 7 bi-racial children. How do you think the family would have fared had they lived in Montgomery? Would they have faced more difficulties, fewer difficulties, or about the same?
3. How do you think teenage Rachel (Ruth) would have responded to the bus boycott had she been living there then? How about the adult Ruth?
4. Several of the older McBride children embraced aspects of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Do you think that this was a result of the times in which they lived, their need to belong to a group that lent them a solid identity, or a combination of these factors? How was their involvement with civil rights similar to Odessa’s and Miriam’s? How did it differ?
5. For those that might have been living in Springfield during the 1950s, how did your experiences compare with both contemporary New York and Montgomery?

Newspaper article on One Book

Danielle Paine has a good article on the One Book, One Springfield program in today's Springfield Republican, with comments from Project Director Ann Keefe.

Choosing a Discussion Group

One Book, One Blog

If you’re reading or have already read The Color of Water, you might start giving some thought about which discussion group you’d like to attend. You might even plan to attend more than one – although the basic list of questions will be the same for each group, the insights of the participants, as well as the leadership style of the group’s facilitator, will ensure that each group offers a unique experience. Remember, the only discussion groups that require registration at the ones at Baystate Health System (call 794-2255). Otherwise, choose a time and place that works for you and mark it on your calendar. While you might begin by looking at the choices in your neighborhood, consider venturing out to meet some new people and enrich your “One Book” experience. Are you a 20-or-30-something? Consider attending one of the groups scheduled at retirement communities to ensure a lively intergenerational exchange. Have business to conduct at Springfield City Hall? Do it on April 14 and attend the noon group there. Participants in all of the various discussion groups will be given priority to attend James McBride’s free talk and concert on May 17, since seating is limited.

Anticipation for One Book is growing!

The MassLive Books Forum is beginning an online discussion of The Color of Water. Check out the forum and get a head start on the rest of the city!

Book discussions at Springfield City Library locations and other venues throughout the city begin on April 4. A complete list of discussion groups is available on the One Book, One Springfield pages at the library's website.

Grab a Book!

One Book, One Blog

Following last week's excellent article in the Republican by Pat Cahill and today's editorial , which encourages Springfield citizens to "run to the library" for a copy of The Color of Water, the library's remaining copies will be flying off the display shelves. Visit your branch soon to pick up a print or audio copy, along with a "One Book, One Springfield" button and a reading guide, which discusses both the book and how to get the most from a book discussion experience. We've found that wearing the eye-catching buttons around town sparks both questions and interesting discussions. Remember, the big kickoff is on March 29 at 4:00 p.m. in the Central Library!