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 six 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, Tag Man by Archer Mayor, and the Obituary Writer by Anne Hood

The book chosen for 2015 is What Strange Creatures by Emily Arsenault. Arsenault lives in Massachusetts with her family, and has been writing since the fifth grade.  What Strange Creatures deals with Theresa and Jeff Battle, siblings who are used to disappointment. Seven years after starting her PhD program—one marriage and divorce, three cats, and a dog later—Theresa still hasn’t finished her dissertation. Instead of a degree, she’s got a houseful of adoring pets and a dead-end copywriting job for a local candle company. Jeff, her so-called genius older brother, doesn’t have it together, either. Creative, and loyal, he’s also aimless in work and love. Theresa finds it hard to save herself, but will do anything to save her brother when he is accused of murder. 

 Arsenault will speak at an evening event at the Pomfret School in Pomfret at 7 p.m. June 16.   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 area Friends of the Libraries.

For more information, visit QCReads on Facebook and at the quietcornerreads.org website.