Originally inspired by a similar program at Seattle Public Library’s Washington Center for the Book, Fairfield’s One Book, One Town initiative has been running for almost twenty years. In previous iterations, hundreds of Fairfield have read Wonder by R. J. Palacio, Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, and Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley last year.
This year’s selection is Beautyland by Marie Helene Bertino, named one of the top 100 books to read last year by Time. Set in Philadelphia beginning in the 80s, Adina is a character tasked with communicating to aliens through a fax machine about whether or not Earth is a suitable place to live. She was sent down from space before her birth and grows up with her single “mother,” feeling — rightfully — different.
Scott Jarzombek, the town librarian for the Fairfield Public Library, said Beautyland offers a different perspective to readers in the community.
“Fairfield is this wonderful community – It's almost like it's screenwritten sometimes,” he said.
“I think it'll be great for people to experience a lived experience that is not similar to this community. And then, for those in this community who have a similar lived experience, maybe they'll see themselves in this. It’ll help them have a conversation with their friends and their neighbors about it.
The program also offers a book for young readers to read alongside their adult counterparts – this year, Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt was selected.
“I think a big reason we do this as a community is to encourage discussion,” said Jennifer Laseman, member of the selection committee and the library’s head of teen services. “That's also what goes into choosing a companion book… I work with grades six through 12 primarily, and we want to encourage them to also participate in the discussion. It's all about encouraging the community to read together, discuss what we're reading, and come together as a community.”
Following the tradition of past One Book, One Town programs, Beautyland’s Bertino will speak at the Sacred Heart University Community Theater on March 5.