What if everyone read the same book and then joined together to talk about it? That’s the idea behind the One Book project. Quiet Corner Reads began a yearly One Book project five years ago, and the collaboration of libraries throughout northeastern CT is still working together to encourage literacy, library support, and community development. Members include libraries in the towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Thompson, Union and Woodstock. The One Book project each year encourages residents of northeast Connecticut to read the same book at the same time, bringing people together to discuss ideas and to broaden their appreciation of reading. Past books include In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, Bill Warrington’s Last Chance by James King, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, and Tag Man by Archer Mayor.

The book chosen for 2014 is “The Obituary Writer” by Ann Hood. Hood lives in Providence with her husband and their children, and has been writing fiction, nonfiction and children’s books since her first book, “Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine,” was published in 1987.  The Obituary Writer” deals with the struggle of a young wife and mother and her decision of whether to stay in a secure marriage or to follow the man she loves. This story parallels with another woman decades earlier, who searched for her lover who disappeared in the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. The surprising connection between these two women will change Claire’s life in unexpected and extraordinary ways.  

 Hood will speak at 7 p.m. June 17 at Pomfret School. A dessert buffet will be served, with a cash bar.  Tickets are $15, available at member libraries.  The author visit is being sponsored by The Beagary Trust and local Friends of the Libraries.  For more information, visit QCReads on Facebook and at the quietcornerreads.org website.