This guide will introduce One Book Many Communities, the chosen book for 2023, The Widows by Jess Montgomery, and associated activities and events.
One Book, Many Communities is a reading initiative for northern Miami Valley residents. Local libraries participating each year invite you to read the book choice and participate in the programs focused on that book’s theme.
For 2023, local libraries involved invite you to read The Widows by Jess Montgomery (or any book in the Kinship series) and participate in the programs focused on themes from the books. You will find a variety of events, including an opening program at St. Paris Public Library and an exciting grand finale event with author Jess Montgomery and WYSO’s Vick Mickunas at Edison State Community College!
Jess Montgomery is the author of the Kinship Historical Mysteries, set in 1920s Appalachian Ohio and inspired by Ohio’s true first female sheriff. Under her given name, she writes the “Level Up Your Writing (Life)” column for Writer’s Digest and teaches for Writer’s Digest University. She was formerly a newspaper columnist, focusing on the literary life, authors and events of her native Dayton, Ohio for the Dayton Daily News. She is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from Ohio Arts Council, a two-time recipient of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Arts & Cultural District (MCAD) Artist Opportunity Grant, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
Edison State Theater: Wednesday, April 19th • 5:30 p.m. Meet and Greet and Book Signing with the author, Jess Montgomery
• 7:00 p.m. Author Book Discussion and Interview
Vick Mickunas, host of WYSO’s Book Nook, will lead a discussion with the author, Jess Montgomery, about her book, The Widows. There will be time for Q&A from the audience and also from submitted questions from participating libraries. For those that can’t be at Edison State, the event will be presented as a Facebook Live stream for participating libraries. Check with your local library for details.
Events at other libraries throughout Ohio:
Champaign County Library-Book Talk-Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Clark County Public Library-1920's Appalachian Music with Lafferty Pike-Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Tipp City Public Library-Page Turners Book Club-Monday, March 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Selover Public Library-Book Talk- Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Troy-Miami County Public Library-The Long Forgotten Women of Troy-Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Champaign County Library-Women of Champaign County and Beyond-Monday, April 3, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Selover Public Library-And Evening with Mother Jones-Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Clark County Public Library-Female First Responders-A Panel Discussion-Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Champaign County Library-Matters of the Heart: Therapy Dogs in Law Enforcement-Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.