January: the time for new beginnings, resolutions, and adding a new page to that ever-growing “to-read” list. When you’re choosing what to read next, consider one of the titles below. It just may be the 2016 One Maryland One Book pick!
The 2016 One Maryland One Book theme is “the 21st Century Great American Novel.” Thus, the selections below are American novels written by American authors and published January 1, 2000 or later. Over 150 titles were suggested via email and the Maryland Center for the Book Facebook page. Our committee narrowed the list to the top 10 in December and will narrow the list down to the top 3 titles later this month.
Follow us on Facebook and check back here to get the latest updates on the selection process and be the first to hear what we’ll be discussing across our state. We will announce the 2016 selection in February or March. Learn more about the criteria and process on our website.
Top 10 titles under consideration for One Maryland One Book 2016
- The Roundhouse by Louise Erdrich
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
- After This by Alice McDermott
- Digging to America by Anne Tyler
- Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
- Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
- The Wished-For Country by Wayne Karlin
- American Rust by Philipp Meyer
One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. Readers are then invited to participate in book-centered discussions and other associated programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges and universities, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers. Programs, including an author tour, take place each year in the fall. A calendar of free public events will be available online this summer.
The 2015 One Maryland One Book “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown was chosen under the theme “Sports.” Sorry, but we are no longer taking suggestions for this year. We’ll announce next year’s theme in November 2016.
What do you think of our list? Have you read any of the titles and if so, what did you think? Let us know by posting a comment below and please share this news with the readers in your life. Remember to follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates on the selection process!
I’ve read four of the titles. My vote would be Digging to America, a wonderful novel with lots of good themes to discuss.
All-American Boys is a critical read for everyone – teen or adult. It’s multiple perspective, diverse characters, and important themes make it a story worth reading, diving into, and understanding. You cannot read this book without developing empathy – for both sides.
I highly recommend to the MHC to use Wayne Karlin’s book. He is an amazing writer, an incredible teacher with a deep history of his own. This particular book A Wished For Country is about us, Maryland, our history with all its rich racial complexity, it is also extremely well written. Wayne also lives right here in Maryland, in St. Mary’s County.
Marc Steiner
Orphan Train is my choice for One Maryland One Book. An excellent read, I had no idea that this went on in American History!