Writing can be a solitary act. Sitting in front of your monitor or staring at the blank page of a notebook can be lonely and taxing. This is an extreme downside of the act of writing. Now, let's talk about the other side of the writing habit. Writing is a creative and intense way for us to give form and structure to our thinking. The very process of writing can lead the mind to deeper levels of insight and imagination than you ever imagined possible. You thought you were going to write about a chance encounter with a friend and suddenly you are writing about a rain-drenched day as a child when you lost your way in a shopping mall. Many writers often talk about the unexpected twists and turns that happen on the page or screen when they allow their writing to move forward uninhibited by doubt.

This year's thought-provoking One Book, One Columbia selection -- The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew -- brings up a lot of questions about race relations, gender roles, prejudice, civil rights in the South, family dynamics, and more. We'll be diving into all of these issues at the One Book, One Columbia Town Hall Discussion this Thursday, February 21st from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Bostick Auditorium at the Main Library. 

Much of 71-year-old Anna Jean Mayhew’s work reflects her vivid memories of growing up in the segregated South. Her debut novel, The Dry Grass of August, is no different. Set in 1954, the book deals with the abundance of racial, gender and social stratification issues prevalent after World War II.

Connecting the community through a shared reading experience

One Book, One Columbia encourage residents of Richland County and the Midlands to read the same book at the same time. And, to share their passion for reading with their friends and neighbors.

During the month of February 2013, our whole community will be reading and talking about the same book through our One Book, One Columbia project. Would you like to get a sneak peek at the title of the book and be one of the first to check it out? Then please join us for our One Book Sneak Peak Reception on Tuesday, December 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and you'll have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other readers and literacy advocates from Richland County.  We will also have book club sets ready to check out. For those who are checking off their holiday gift lists, the book will be sold as well. All attendees will receive the coveted One Book lapel button and become our official Reading Advocates!