2017 Archive

The 2017 One Book, One Community program featured the book "A Long Way Home" by Saroo Brierley and the movie based on the book: "Lion."

"A Long Way Home" by Saroo Brierley

“A Long Way Home” is a #1 international bestseller based on the true story of author Saroo Brierley’s incredible journey from India to Australia and back again. After becoming separated from his brother, five-year-old Saroo boards a train in rural India in his desperate and frightened search to find his family. Saroo falls asleep and awakens to find himself traveling across the countryside thousands of miles away from everything he has ever known. He ends up on the notoriously rough streets of Calcutta, where a different language is spoken and homeless children are invisible to most. Unable to understand Saroo’s pronunciation of his hometown, authorities eventually declare him a lost child and he is adopted to a couple, Sue and John Brierley, in Australia. Raised in their loving home, Saroo’s past slides away, but is never truly forgotten. As he grows into adulthood, he feels he is a person of two worlds - one of which is lost to him. Where did he come from and what about the family he left behind? Saroo turns to modern technology to search for his birth family and home. Following train lines in India on Google Earth maps and using bits of fragmented memory, Saroo eventually finds the place he came from and returns to India, where he is reunited with his birth mother and other members of his long lost family. 

Saroo’s story is one of determination, the unfailing love of family and the universal need to know our origins. His story became a media sensation and led to his book, “A Long Way Home,” and the Oscar-nominated film, “Lion,” starring Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara.


2017 Calendar of Events

Signature Events


KICK-OFF EVENT: An Evening with Saroo Brierley
Sunday, Aug. 27; 7 p.m.
East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road
Meet author Saroo Brierley as he discusses his experiences, talks about “A Long Way Home,” answers questions from the audience and signs books. Admission is first come, first serve. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

* The kickoff will be streamed live, archived online and available via an on-demand playback at https://livestream.com/msualumni/aLongWayHome courtesy of the MSU Alumni Association. The on-demand playback will require a password. Contact OBOC at onebookmsu@gmail.com for more information. 

* A recording of the event will also be made available to borrow at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, beginning Friday, Sept. 8. 

MSU Academic Welcome featuring Saroo Brierley
Monday, Aug. 28; 9 a.m.
Jack Breslin Student Events Center, MSU Campus
Saroo Brierley will address MSU's incoming class at the MSU Academic Welcome. Open to the general public.


Other OBOC Events


Books on Tap Book Club featuring "A Long Way Home"
Tuesday, Aug. 8; 6:30-9 p.m.
Jimmy's Pub, 16830 Chandler Road
The East Lansing Public Library's Books on Tap book club will be discussing "A Long Way Home" up at Jimmy's Pub. The book club combines books, food, drinks and good conversation together in a laid-back atmosphere. Anyone is welcome to join the conversation!

Moonlight Film Festival featuring "Lion"
Thursday, Aug. 10; 9 p.m.
Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court
 Community members are invited to Valley Court Park to watch "Lion," rated PG-13, on a big outdoor screen. Don't forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket! The One Book, One Community meeting will be at the event handing out kickoff information and free popcorn donated by NCG Cinemas Eastwood. Just look for the white tent! Learn more.  

Monday Movie Matinee featuring "Lion"
Monday, Aug. 14; 1-3 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to watch "Lion," rated PG-13, at the library.

Writing Workshop: Finding Home - Within the World, Within Ourselves
Sept. 5, 12 & 19; 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Each year, Anita Skeen - a professor in the Residential College in Arts & Humanities at MSU - leads a writing workshop that ties into the OBOC program theme. Register beginning Aug. 1.

MSU Campus Center Cinemas Presents "Lion"
Thursday, Sept. 7 & Sunday, Sept. 10; 7 p.m.
Conrad Hall, MSU Campus
Visit the MSU Campus Center Cinemas website for more information.

MSU Campus Center Cinemas Presents "Lion"
Friday, Sept. 8; 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Wells Hall, MSU Campus
Visit the MSU Campus Center Cinemas website for more information.

Movie & Panel Discussion at ELPL
Wednesday, Sept. 13; 6-9 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Community members are invited to watch "Lion," rated PG-13, at the library from 6-8 p.m. The movie will be followed by a panel discussion from 8-9 p.m.

Tracing Your Roots: Genealogy with the Library of Michigan
Thursday, Sept. 14; 7-8 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Matt Pacer, a reference librarian at the Library of Michigan, will show the different ways to start or continue genealogical research and how the Library of Michigan can help in those searches. Learn more. 

Movie & Discussion at MSU Main Library
Thursday, Sept. 14; 7 p.m.
MSU Main Library, 366 W. Circle Drive (Green Room, Level 4 West)
Community members are invited to a showing of "Lion," followed by a discussion. Presented by Professor Jon Keune, MSU Religious Studies. All are invited to participate.

Lansing Storytellers Project: Waiting
Tuesday, Sept. 19; 7-9 p.m.
Lansing Brewing Company, 518 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
Community members are invited to come hear tales of expectations and delays. The event will feature professionally coached, local storytellers of all ages sharing their best stories. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Learn more. 

Writing Workshop Participants Reading
Tuesday, Sept. 26; 7-8:30 p.m.
(SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles Street
Community members are invited to hear readings by participants of the Finding Home: Withing the World, Within Ourselves Writing Workshop. Light refreshments will be provided.

East Lansing Welcomes the World
Sunday, Oct. 1; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
International students and families are invited to come meet their East Lansing neighbors at this special free event. There will be catered food, live music, family activities, community information tables and more. Open to all!


James Madison College Events 



The Persistent Legacy: The Partition of British India at 70
Thursday, Sept. 14; 6:30 p.m.
Kellogg Center Lincoln Room

The Persistent Legacy: The Partition of British India at 70--Advance Notice
Friday, Sept. 15; 10 a.m.
International Center Third Floor

Rajmohan Gandhi Lecture - How South India Almost Became French...
Wednesday, Sept. 27; 5:30 p.m.
Case Hall Club Spartan
Free and open to the public, light refreshments

Rajmohan Gandhi Lecture - The East India Company's Last Foe...
Thursday, Sept. 28; 5:30 p.m.
Case Hall Club Spartan
Free and open to the public, light refreshments


MSU Connections to India


Study Abroad in India
Visit the MSU Study Abroad website for up-to-date information: http://educationabroad.isp.msu.edu/.

Beyond Bollywood: Taste of Indian Media 
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students. Learn more. Check out these videos created by MSU students on their study abroad to India:

Ecology of the Mountains 
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

Ethics and Development in India: Internships 
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students


MSU Connections to Australia


Study Abroad in Australia
Visit the MSU Study Abroad website for up-to-date information: http://educationabroad.isp.msu.edu/.

Australia and New Zealand’s People, Government and Justice System
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

Australian National University (EX)
MSU students only

Business of the Olympics: Winter & Summer Olympic Venues Explored 
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

Deakin University (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only

International College of Management Sydney (ICMS)
MSU students only

Internships in Australia
MSU students only

James Cook University (Direct Enroll)
MSU students only

LaTrobe University (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only

Monash University in Melbourne (Direct Enroll & Exchange)
MSU students only

Queensland University of Technology (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only

Sports and Culture in Sydney
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

Summer Sports Program Down Under
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

The Natural and Human Environments of Queensland, Australia
Open to eligible MSU and non-MSU students

University of New South Wales (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only

University of Sydney (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only

University of Technology Sydney (Direct Enroll and Exchange)
MSU students only