South of Elfrida, Africa’s Unfinished Symphony, Blue Collar B&B; a more diverse list of titles is hard to imagine. That diversity is part of the beauty of the One Book, One Kootenay shortlist, an annual initiative that asks: what book should all Kootenay booklovers read?
One Book One Kootenay is a library-driven celebration of Kootenay-Boundary literature sponsored by the Kootenay Library Federation and supported by the Columbia Basin Trust.
This year’s shortlist celebrates South of Elfrida (Brindle & Glass, 2013) by Kaslo’s Holley Rubinsky; Africa’s Unfinished Symphony (Grassroots Publishing Group, 2013) by Fauquier resident Lucia Mann; and from Sparwood, Bobby Hutchinson, author of Blue Collar B&B (Langdon Street Press, 2009).
The books were chosen by a committee of discerning readers from among titles written by Kootenay-Boundary authors within the last five years. The committee looked for compelling books that are hard to put down, and that stay with the reader after the final page is turned.
Readers are asked to vote on the book they think should be this year’s One Book, One Kootenay selected title. Copies of the books are now available at the Nelson Public Library, and shortlisted authors are touring select libraries in the region this spring, with the selected author touring solo in the fall.
Author information can be found at obok.ca. Beginning in June video clips of the authors discussing their works, created by Amy Bohigian of Watershed Productions, will also be featured.
Look for the ballot box located across from the Nelson library circulation desk until August 9. Cast your vote and be entered to win a copy of the selected title.
The 2014 One Book, One Kootenay selection will be announced on September 8.