Walk in the Woods to serve as One Book One Community selection

After a month-long vote, the community has spoken. With over 360 ballots cast in person at area libraries and online, the clear winner for 2013’s One Book One Community selection is Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. Bryson’s book brought in 33% of the votes and edged out four others to become the 2013 selection.

Christiana Shields, Director of Non-Profit Services for the Community Foundation, expressed her satisfaction with September’s voting, “We received an enthusiastic response from the public when we announced that next year’s choice would be up to them. It will truly be a community read.”

Previous community-wide reads have featured classic novels, but A Walk in the Woods will take readers down a different path.  Bryson’s book is a work of nonfiction, detailing his experience returning to the United States after two decades abroad and reconnecting with the country by hiking the Appalachian Trail. Interspersed with his personal story are sections on the history and ecology of the trail, blending a humorous narrative with educational aspects.

“It’s the first time that a nonfiction book has been chosen for our local program,” says Sarah Skrobis, a librarian at Augusta County Library. “Every year we plan events that relate to the book’s theme, and I’m excited that we get to focus on the Appalachian Trail and the outdoors.”

Mary Ann Hayden, a librarian at Waynesboro Public Library, notes a local connection, “There’s even a part about Bill Bryson stopping in Waynesboro along the way.” Readers will have to see for themselves what his experience of the city was like.

The 2013 One Book One Community will take place throughout the month of March 2013. Once again, free copies of the chosen book will be given away to the community, and events will take place throughout Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro. Donations to support the program are necessary and much appreciated, and may be sent to the Community Foundation, P.O. Box 815, Staunton, VA, 24402.

For more information about One Book One Community, visit www.SAWCommunityRead.org

The 2013 One Book One Community will take place throughout the month of March 2013. Once again, free copies of the chosen book will be given away to the community, and events will take place throughout Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro. Donations to support the program are necessary and much appreciated, and may be sent to the Community Foundation, P.O. Box 815, Staunton, VA, 24402.