First Selectman Rob Mallozzi has plenty of personal reasons to embrace this year’s “One Book New Canaan” selection.
First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and New Canaan Library Director Lisa Oldham gave away copy’s of the “One Book New Canaan” selection—Bill Bryson’s “One Summer: America 1927″—at the train station for morning commuters on Feb. 11, 2015. Contributed
He’s already started Bill Bryson’s “One Summer: America 1927,” a work of nonfiction chosen by New Canaan Library for the community-wide reading program, and plans to finish it while on vacation during Feb break next week.
“So far, it’s a fascinating look at the hoopla and significance surrounding Lindbergh’s flight to Paris,” Mallozzi said. “As a history major, I love the book so far. Can’t wait to read more.”
And there’s this: Mallozzi’s own father attender Baker School in Darien with one of Lindbergh’s sons in the 1930s and early-‘40s. “They lived down by the beaches,” he said.
Bryson in his book looks with his razor-sharp wit and gift for bringing historical characters to life at one of the most exciting periods in modern America, the summer that saw Lindbergh cross the Atlantic, Babe Ruth belt his way into baseball immortality, “The Jazz Singer” debut on Broadway and far more.
During “One Book New Canaan,” the library leads a series of interactive events that draw their themes from the book and are designed to bring New Canaanites together, creating touchpoints that go far beyond traditional book groups. (For example, the Lamb Room will be converted into this speakeasy on March 5.)
On Wednesday morning, Mallozzi joined New Canaan Library Director Lisa Oldham on the train station platform to hand out free copies of “One Summer: America 1927”—generously donated to the library by a local benefactor—to morning commuters during the 7 a.m. hour (coffee courtesy of New Canaan Realtor Christine Saxe). The pair had teamed up last year during the successful inaugural “One Book New Canaan” initiative, and again this year the response was “fabulous,” Mallozzi said.
That’s been true in the library, as well.
Since making its announcement, the library “flew through” its giveaway copies and all 40 print copies are now checked out, said Cheryl Capitani, assistant manager of adult services of the library as well as coordinator of this year’s “One Book New Canaan.”
Patrons also have been multiple holds on the audiobook (13 holds on three), eBook (13 holds on five) and e-audiobook (two holds on one) copies, Capitani said.
“Anecdotally, folks are starting to come in and talk to us at the Information Desk as they are reading along, and are effusive about how much they are enjoying the book, and that they are looking forward to the upcoming events,” she said in an email.