The 2011 One Book – One Lincoln program was wrapped up January 12th, 2012, with the final public book discussion, but information about Cutting for Stone and One Book – One Lincoln – 2011 is still available on this archive page.
The tenth annual One Book – One Lincoln community reading program began on September 6, 2011, with the announcement of Abraham Verghese’s compelling novel, Cutting for Stone, as the selected title for 2011. The scheduled events of One Book — One Lincoln — 2011 will take place throughout September and October, and early November.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese has been selected for the 2011 “One Book — One Lincoln” program.
About One Book – One Lincoln – 2011
One Book – One Lincoln is a community reading program sponsored by Lincoln City Libraries. The program encourages all adults in Lincoln and Lancaster County to read and discuss the same book at the same time. The goal of the program is to encourage reading and dialogue by creating a community wide reading and discussion experience.
The idea of city-wide reading programs started in Seattle in 1998 with the program “If All Seattle Read the Same Book” initiated by the Washington Center for the Book, located at the Seattle Public Library. The Library of Congress’ Center for the Book reports that “One Book” programs are being introduced across the U.S.A. and around the world.
This is Lincoln’s 10th straight year of the program. Since 2002, the citizens of Lincoln and the surrounding communities have been encouraged to read the same book each fall, and participate in special programming and book discussions. You can see an archive of the previous seven years worth of One Book – One Lincoln selections at our One Book main archive page.
Lincoln City Libraries Reference staff have compiled additional resources about Cutting for Stone and Abraham Verghese.
How can I participate?
- Get the Book. Check out a copy of Cutting for Stone at any of the Lincoln City Libraries or purchase your own copy at your local bookstore. The title is available at Lincoln City Libraries in hardback and paperback, Large Type, Downloadable E-book, and Unabridged Book-on-CD formats. This title is also available as a Book Club in a Bag version, for book clubs wishing to check out multiple copies at once!
- Read! Join your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and fellow Lincolnites in reading the same book – together!
- Watch an informational program about this year’s One Book — One Lincoln which will begin airing on CityTV (Channel 5 local cable) in September on both Channel 5 and the On Demand channels.
- Attend our related programs.
- Look at our main Resource Page about Cutting for Stone, and watch for the official schedule of events, in September!
- Visit our One Book — One Lincoln Facebook page (see the Fan box below!). Look for more online opportunities.
- Sign up to receive e-mail updates about One Book-related programs and events on our 2011 Finalists page.
- Discuss the Book in Person or Online! Attend a Community Discussion at your local library or bookstore. A complete list of Community Discussion groups is available here. Print off the official Discussion Questions for your own book group, or contact the library to have a trained facilitator come and lead your own discussion group. Or visit our One Book One Lincoln Blog to respond to discussion topics posted in a discussion forum.
- Listen to Podcast recordings about Cutting for Stone on our Podcasts page, or check out our Podcasts Index page, which has a complete list of all One Book-related podcasts!
We can provide a discussion leader for your group
So you want to have a One Book – One Lincoln discussion group, but you don’t have a discussion leader? During September, October and November and beyond, Lincoln City Libraries staff will be available to organizations, businesses and clubs interested in hosting a discussion group. Visit our Finalists page, to request a book discussion leader via our online form, or for further information, call Lincoln City Libraries, 441-8562
What programs will there be?
Several special programs are being scheduled at various locations during September and October, with ties to the themes and events of Cutting for Stone. You can see descriptions at our Programs and Events page.
Enter a drawing for a signed copy of Cutting for Stone!
Author Abraham Verghese has graciously provided us with a signed copy of the original hardback edition of his novel. We will be holding a drawing to give away this piece of One Book – One Lincoln memorabilia on January 3rd, 2012. Entry forms for this drawing may be filled out if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Attend a library-sponsored One Book – One Lincoln discussion group or program through December 31, 2011 and fill out an entry form to win a signed copy
- You may enter at each OBOL event you attend (one entry per person per event)
- Library staff are not eligible to win.
- Winner must sign a media release and agree to be photographed; winner’s name will be announced on Facebook, Twitter, the library webpage and in other promotional media.
The winner of the signed copy was selected on January 3rd, and she was presented with her prize on January 6th. Click here to see a photo!
How was Cutting for Stone chosen?
A call for nominations from the community in January and February resulted in 230 nominations for 140 different titles being received. The general criteria for the title included:
- Fiction or Non-Fiction
- Of general interest to adults and young adults
- Sparks thoughtful discussion
- Easily available in paperback
- Address universal themes of life
- Readable
A selection committee with community-wide representation was formed to narrow the list down to nine titles and ultimately the Three Finalists, which were announced to the public in May. Members of the selection committee included:
- Gloria Strope, Chair
- Tom Beckius
- Patty Beutler
- Cindy Conger
- Yvonne Davenport
- Cathy Grove
- Kaitlyn Hansen
- Kate Janulewicz
- Cyndy Maddux
- Emily Nimsakont
- Tom Pappas
- Layne Pierce
- Joan Ross
- David Smith
- Shirley Sneve
Starting in 2010, and continuing in 2011, the public was invited to vote on which of the top Finalists you would like to see as the ultimate selection for this year. The title you, the citizens of Lincoln, have selected for 2011 is Cutting for Stone by Verghese.
“Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon. Orphaned by their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution.
Moving from Addis Ababa to New York City and back again, Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles–and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined.”
What other books were considered for 2011?
The other finalists in the top three for One Book – One Lincoln – 2011 were:
You can also Click Here for more detailed information about these, as well as the other books that made this year’s “Top Nine” list.
