As our One Maryland One Book programming takes place in the fall, we do not as yet anticipate any impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 One Maryland One Book Title Announced
This year’s memorable read is The Island of Sea Women by New York Times bestselling author Lisa See. The book chronicles the lives and friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju. They become the closest of friends. However, their differences are impossible to ignore: Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position of leading the divers; whereas Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator and will forever carry that mark. From the Japanese occupation of the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, to the Korean War, events will push their seemingly unbreakable bond to its breaking point.
This beautifully written and thoughtful novel shines a light on the remarkable haenyeo culture and two women who are a part of it. Readers won’t soon forget the journey of Young-sook and Mi-ja’s friendship.
What if everyone read one book at the same time?
Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to Maryland Humanities’ e-News to be the first to hear what we’ll be discussing across our state. Learn more about the criteria and process
To learn more about the selection process or past One Maryland One Book picks, visit the One Maryland One Book FAQ page.
Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to Maryland Humanities’ e-News to be the first to hear what we’ll be discussing across our state.
Questions? Contact Andrea Lewis at alewis@mdhumanities.org.
About One Maryland One Book
When we read a great book, we can’t wait to share the experience and talk about it with others. That’s one of the joys of reading.
In that spirit, Maryland Humanities created One Maryland One Book (OMOB) to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. We invite you to participate in book-centered discussions and related programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers around the state.
OMOB programs, including an author tour, take place each year in the fall. A calendar of free public events will be available online this summer.
One Maryland One Book Lead Sponsors & Partner
One Maryland One Book Sponsors
Additional Support
In 2019, One Maryland One Book is part of Maryland Humanities’ Maryland H2O. A two-year initiative, Maryland H2O explores our many and varied relationships with water—which is part of our history, our culture, our future—through multiple programs. Maryland H2O also includes the Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, Water/Ways; the Smithsonian exhibition H2O Today; Chautauqua 2019: Making Waves; and engaging programs to spark a statewide discussion about water.
Activities in Baltimore City are funded in part by Mayor Jack Young and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.
This flagship program of Maryland Humanities’ Maryland Center for the Book would not be able to reach all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City without the continued support of our partners and sponsors. Please join us in thanking them for their generosity!