FAQs

Each fall, Maryland Humanities sends out a call for suggestions to the general public, educators, librarians, schools, book clubs, and other partners. The call for suggestions is based on an annual theme and pre-determined criteria.

Once the suggestions deadline has passed, the Maryland Humanities staff researches all suggestions to make sure they fit the established criteria. Then the selection committee takes the lead.

The selection committee narrows the list of potential choices to a top ten list. In January, the committee meets to discuss the top ten and narrows the list down to three choices, later voting to establish which book will be the One Maryland One Book pick.

In addition to having a focus on the yearly theme, the book can be either fiction or nonfiction and should:

• be able to generate sustained discussion on the year’s theme
• be of interest to people in the state of Maryland
• appeal to a wide range of readers of different backgrounds and reading abilities
• connect to high school age readers as well as adults
• be of manageable length (up to 350 pages)
• be available in paperback and priced affordably
• be in print and audio, and if possible, in electronic format, large print, Braille, film and translation
• a living author is a consideration, but not a criterion
• a Maryland author is a consideration, but not a criterion

Home & Belonging

The theme for the 2017 One Maryland One Book is Home & Belonging.

The finalists for the 2017 selection were:

• Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• The Turner House by Angela Flournoy
• Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

Visit the How to Participate page to learn how you can take part, either as an individual or as a program partner. Maryland Humanities offers free support materials—Reader’s Guides, Teacher’s Guides, bookmarks, and posters—to book groups, organizations, and businesses that sign on as official partners.

Given the statewide scope of the program, we are unable to provide copies of the book to individuals or book clubs. However, via the generosity of our donors, books are made available to participating public libraries and public high schools.

We update bookstores around the state once the book is selected. Check your local bookstore for a copy or let them know about the program!

Maryland Humanities provides some funding support to libraries and nonprofit organizations, as well as secondary and post-secondary schools, to foster creative public programming across the state.

Each year, Maryland organizations are invited to co-host the statewide Author Tour. The author is typically available for a limited number of official tour stops, so the application process is competitive.

For information on funding support or the Author Tour contact Andrea Lewis.

All One Maryland One Book events, including the Author Tour, are free and open to the public. Seating is first-come first-served.

Sign up for Maryland Humanities email newsletter to receive advance notice of events, or connect with us on Facebook or on Twitter via @MDHumanities. Use the hashtag #1MD1BK to join the conversation!