One Book One Town titles & University programming

The town of Fairfield chooses a book each year and encourages the whole town to read it and engage through dialog and programming. The One Book One Town (OBOT) committee is run by the Fairfield Public Library and consists of librarians and staff from FPL as well as the Pequot Library, Fairfield Museum & History Center, Fairfield University Bookstore, Sacred Heart University's Library, local public schools, and our DiMenna-Nyselius Library.

The 2023 One Book One Town title chosen was written by a resident of Fairfield.....

I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye: a memoir of loss, grief, and love by Ivan Maisel

It is an honest and emotionally deep memoir in which Ivan reflects on the loss of his dear son Max to suicide, the impact of grief on family and community, and the painful journey which brings Ivan to a place of seeing grief as an expression of love. What Ivan and his family experienced was felt throughout the entire community. For this reason, the existence of this beautiful memoir presented itself as an urgent and unique opportunity to bring an essential conversation to the forefront.

Select OBOT programs open to the public:

Expressions of Grief, a panel of mental health experts discussing how grief is processed at different ages and life stages, featuring Mary Ellen Staudt from Fairfield University's Counseling & Psychological Services - Wed. February 22nd, 6:00-7:00pm, Pequot Library. Register here.

Writing Through Loss, a virtual writing workshop for anyone who has experienced any type of loss, led by Dr. Elizabeth Boquet, Professor of English & Director of the Writing Center, and Librarian, Lisa Thornell - Wed. March 1st, 12:00-1:00pm. Register here.

Main Author Event with Ivan Maisel - Tuesday, March 28th 7:00-8:30PM, Quick Center for the Arts. Registration opens on Feb. 28th at 9:00am.

Companion titles for younger readers:

Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers and Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration. Both are edited by Rose Brock and feature stories that celebrate the triumphant power of hope, an important message in a time when hope is sometimes difficult to find.

The Rhino Suit by Colter Jackson. When a little girl feels like the pain of the world is too much, she builds a tough-skinned rhino suit to protect herself.

Copies of the books can be borrowed with your StagCard from the main level display at our Library. They are also available for purchase from the downtown Fairfield University Bookstore. For information about OBOT visit: http://fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/OBOT/. Visit the Fairfield Public Library's events page for additional programmin

For more information, contact Lisa Thornell / x2138 / lthornell@fairfield.edu