Each fall, readers across the state of Maryland join together to read the same book as a part of the One Maryland, One Book program.  It’s thrilling to know that thousands of readers – through libraries, book stores, and book clubs statewide – are enjoying and discussing the same great read.

This year’s fantastic selection is Outcasts United by Warren St. John, the moving true story of a soccer team for refugee boys, their remarkable female coach, and a small southern town turned upside down by the process of refugee resettlement.  These refugees come from the most harsh, war-torn areas of the world – Sudan, Iraq, Kosovo and others.  And despite many cultural and linguistic barriers, one determined coach unites the boys through their love of soccer.

This book is well-written, thought-provoking and very moving.  The heartwarming, and also heartbreaking, tales of the refugees were so powerful that I had to share them with family and friends.  Most books don’t inspire me to change, but this one had me contemplating how I can be more neighborly, more community-oriented, and more embracing of others in our ever-global world.

As a part of the One Maryland, One Book program, Cecil County Public Library will be hosting book discussions of Outcasts United at many branches.  Stop by your local branch to sign up and pick up a copy of this great read.  Click the links below to see more information.

Rising Sun Branch Library – Wednesday, September 8 at 7 pm
Perryville Branch Library – Thursday, September 23 at 7 pm
Chesapeake City Branch Library – Monday, October 4 at 1 pm
North East Branch Library – Monday, October 18 at 7 pm
Cecilton Branch Library – Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 pm
Elkton Central Library – Tuesday, November 2 at 7 pm

There’s even a One Maryland, One Book selection for teens.  Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is the tragic yet inspirational tale of a young man who comes to the U.S. after losing his home and family.  Click the links for more details.

Rising Sun Branch Library – Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 pm
Elkton Central Library – Tuesday, October 19 at 3:30 pm
Chesapeake City Branch Library – Thursday, October 28 at 3:30 pm

I hope you’ll all join us in reading and discussing.  In the meantime, leave a comment.  What books have inspired you to make a difference?

My husband doesn’t read. The last book he vaguely remembers opening was The Jim Thorpe Story borrowed from the high school library in 1984. He still has it. Given my career as a librarian, this initially appalled me on many levels. Could he ever appreciate my interest in a well-executed plot twist? Would our children be predisposed to theft? Then he discovered audio books.

These days I can always find him by following the sound of a stranger’s voice. Usually it’s George Guidall or Scott Brick, his favorite narrators, booming from the garage.  He now listens to many more books than I read, gravitating to stories featuring a somewhat psychopathic private investigator roaming the South. His current favorites:

Gator A-Go-Go by Tim Dorsey
featuring Serge Storms eliminating the bad guys in ever inventive ways

Deep Shadow by Randy Wayne White
with Doc Ford forced to help some ex-cons dive for lost treasure

Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
centered on Det. Robicheaux avenging a murder in the bayou

Spider Mountain by Peter Deutermann
with Cam Richter hunting down a meth lab in the Smokies

Silencer by James Hall
proving that saving Florida’s wilderness is risky business for newly wealthy P.I. Thorn

Purists would say he still isn’t “reading”.  I say the process may not be the same, but the beauty of plot, language and knowledge are still finding their way to his brain, just by way of the ears instead of the eyes.  I plan on surprising him with an MP3 player soon. Downloading from the library would save me searching for all those misplaced CDs, but then he doesn’t even know how to turn on our computer…

“Reading” any favs using audio or is that not really “reading”?