The 2014 One Book – One Lincoln program was wrapped up November 16th, 2014, with the final special program, but information about The Light Between Oceans and One Book – One Lincoln – 2014 is still available on this archive page.
The thirteenth annual One Book – One Lincoln community reading program began on September 2, 2014, with the announcement of M.L. Stedman’s atmospheric and thought-provoking debut novel, The Light Between Oceans, as the selected title for 2014. The scheduled events of One Book — One Lincoln — 2014 will take place throughout September, October, and November.
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman has been selected for the 2014 “One Book — One Lincoln” program.
About One Book – One Lincoln – 2014
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 13th 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. Starting in 2010, the public has voted to determine the final selection each year. You can see an archive of the previous twelve years’ worth of One Book – One Lincoln selections at our One Book main page.
See this year’s official promotional poster in pdf format.
Lincoln City Libraries Reference staff have compiled additional resources about The Light Between Oceans and M.L. Stedman.
Welcoming message from author M.L. Stedman:
“I’m a great fan of libraries, so I’m absolutely delighted that my novel has been chosen as your 2014 One Book – One Lincoln selection. Such programs are vital in fostering reading and shared experience in communities around the world.
In fact, one of the underlying themes of THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS is the nature of community, and its role in shaping morality. Community provides a vital context for our choices, and it is the absence of that context which has such an impact on Tom and Isabel, so isolated on Janus Rock. The book encourages readers to look at situations from the perspective of each character, understanding their different motivations and points of view, without rushing to judgment. It also deals with the fundamental need for tolerance and forgiveness in order to allow us to live fulfilling lives together. I hope you enjoy the story, and more importantly, that you enjoy the process of exploring it with your fellow ‘Lincolnites’. I’m honoured by your choice.”
— M.L. Stedman, August 2014
How can I participate?
- Get the Book. Check out a copy, in print, audio or downloadable formats, of The Light Between Oceans 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 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! [ Please Note: Electronic versions of this title were not available from the publisher at the time of the 2014 One Book – One Lincoln, but have subsequently been added to our collection ]
- 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 Resource Page about The Light Between Oceans, 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 2014 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 opportunities is available here. Print off the official Discussion Questions (posted soon!) 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 reply to discussion topics posted in a discussion forum.
- Listen to Podcast recordings about The Light Between Oceans on our Podcasts page, or check out our Podcasts Index page, which has a complete list of all current and past One Book-related podcasts!
- Check out some of our fun “extras” — Aussie Terminology Quiz
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 at 402-441-8503.
What programs will there be?
Several special programs are being scheduled at various locations during September, October, and November, with ties to the themes and events of The Light Between Oceans. You can see descriptions at our One Book – One Lincoln Programs and Events page.
Enter a drawing for a signed copy of The Light Between Oceans!
Author M.L. Stedman and her publisher have graciously provided us with several signed copies of the paperback edition of her novel. We will be holding drawings to give away these pieces of One Book – One Lincoln memorabilia throughout this year’s One Book – One Lincoln events. Entry forms for this drawing may be filled out if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Attend a library-sponsored One Book – One Lincoln program and fill out an entry form to win a signed copy — one book will be given away to a lucky attendee at each of our special programs
- You may enter at each OBOL event you attend (one entry per person per event, and the same person cannot win multiple signed copies)
- One additional signed copy will be given away to a randomly-drawn name from those who fill out our online drawing form [now inactive]
- Library staff are not eligible to win.
- Winners 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.
A call for nominations from the community in January and February resulted in 194 nominations for over 150 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, which narrowed 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:
- David Smith, Chair
- Layne Pierce, Library Representative
- Janet Anderbery
- Magdalena Benton
- Patty Beutler
- Greg Buckley
- Elaine Caster
- Ardis Holland
- Mary Jane Humphrey
- Donna Kennedy Marvin
- Tice Miller
- Elaine Peters
- Jodi Rethmeier
- Judith Ruffo
- DiAnna Schimek
- Ann Thompson
- Kathie Uhrmacher
- Julie Wolf
Starting in 2010, the public has been invited to vote on which of the top Finalists you would like to see as the ultimate selection for each year. The title you, the citizens of Lincoln, have selected for 2014 — in a race that was down to the wire — is The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.
“After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.
Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrible war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is ‘a gift from God,’ and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.”
What other books were considered for 2014?
You can also Click Here to visit the the official One Book – One Lincoln Finalists page for more detailed information about not only the Top Three titles, but also the entire Top Eleven for 2014! [Top Eleven also available as a printable booklist]
The other finalists in the top three for One Book – One Lincoln – 2014 were:
Back to the One Book – One Lincoln archive of all past years
