Community Read - Allen Eskens
Learn about the art of storytelling from Minnesota author, Allen Eskens. Relatively new to the novel-writing scene, Esken's books are extremely popular with our patron base. His style is accessible and his content feels personal due to the Minnesota ties. During the program, Eskens will read from "The Shadows We Hide", the sequel to "The Life We Bury". As part of our community read, we will provide 30 free copies to our community members so a wide range of readers can have a shared experience, thus broadening community connections. In addition, we will read and discuss "The Life We Bury" in both our book clubs and host a community book discussion prior to Eskens' visit.
43 participated
Community members will have a shared reading experience, which helps make personal connections with like-minded individuals. It will also provide the opportunity for discussions among community members who may not otherwise socialize on a regular basis. Further, book club members will get to meet an author of a book they have read, thus strengthening the connection between reader and writer. By reading "The Life We Bury" days before the release of its sequel, "The Shadows We Hide", readers will have a greater sense of continuity with the story line, thus encouraging sustained reading. As we will provide large print copies, we will reach a broader age range of patrons participating in this community read than we have in the past. Students will get to see/hear about the writing process from a Minnesota author, highlighting that dreams can be reached in the Midwest, not just on the coast. As this program occurs during our National Novel Writing Month programming, we hope to engage writers as well as readers. Talking to a published author while in the process of writing one's own book can help inspire and motivate someone new to the craft to keep going. Participant evaluations and anecdotal responses will be collected.
Between the books we distributed and those that were checked out from the library, The Life We Bury was read by at least 54 community members in Pipestone with some patrons reporting they passed the book along to friends. Thirty one individuals attended Eskens program, while an additional twelve discussed the book during book clubs. We had one student who attended the program with a teacher. We heard after the event, that he had left a party with his friends to come to the program, as he had read the novel during a "dark time" in his life. Hearing Eskens speak on his own educational troubles hit home for this student, particularly when Eskens spent extra time talking to him after the program. Several of our audience members are writers. Afterward, we discussed how there isn't a "right way" to enter into the writing world, and that writing is deeply personal. The feedback from those in attendance was of the highest praise for both the novel and the presentation. Some of the key takeaways: "Follow your passion and never give up." "Persistence." "Keep trying when you want to pursue something." "I learned to see the best in school children, to be encouraging." "It has made many books more interesting just listening to the authors." "It is good to expand vision and hear other people's stories. "I now understand the process of writing better." "I never knew the trials of an author!"
Friends of the Library, KLOH Radio, Pipestone Arrow, Neighborhood Assist Grant