What is East Lansing's One Book, One Community? The annual One Book, One Community program, co-sponsored by the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, encourages the city-university community to read the same book and come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. The book is also an assigned reading for all incoming Michigan State University freshmen. Pick up a copy of this year's book and turn the pages with the community.
OBOC Participant Survey OBOC wants to hear from you! Take this quick 10-question online survey and you will be entered into a drawing for a $300 Amazon gift card!
Community Events A series of community and campus events are planned around the themes of the 2013 selection, "The Yellow Birds" by author Kevin Powers, through Sept. 30. Community events include Bootcamp 101, films, For the 25: A Conversation with the Filmmakers, an MSU Department of Theatre production entitled "Widows" a writing workshop and much more.
Watch a Recording of Kevin Powers' Aug. 25 Visit Community members can catch Kevin Powers' visit to East Lansing, “An Evening with Kevin Powers,” that took place at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center on Aug. 25. The event was recorded and will be replayed on Ch. 22 (WELG) on Sundays and Mondays at noon and 8 p.m., available to watch online and made available to borrow at the East Lansing Public Library.
“The Yellow Birds” Announced as the 2013 One Book, One Community Selection The City of East Lansing and Michigan State University announce “The Yellow Birds” as the 2013 One Book, One Community book selection. Written by debut novelist and Iraq War veteran Kevin Powers, “The Yellow Birds” has received critical acclaim and was a 2012 National Book Award finalist.
The title of the book is derived from a traditional U.S. Army marching cadence or call-and-response marching song sung by military personnel when preparing for combat. In exquisite prose, Powers’ story is told through the eyes of 21-year-old Pvt. John Bartle, whose platoon is fighting a bloody battle to control the Iraq city of Al Tafar.
Thank You to Our 2013 Sponsors and Partners OBOC would like to thank our partners and sponsors who have supported the 2013 program: Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Friends of the East Lansing Public Library, SU Federal Credit Union, Alan and Mildred Friend, Coldwell Banker Briarwood, Sam Singh, East Lansing Educational Foundation and Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment of Humanities.
Contact Us If you have any questions about this year's program or would like to share ideas about future book selections, please email OBOC Coordinator Mandie Maxwell @ onebook@msu.edu.
© 2010 City of East Lansing & MSU