Danbury Library,
Danbury Public Schools and
Western Connecticut State University
introduce our inaugural One Book, One Community title:
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
One Book, One Community
“One Book, One Community” encourages the Danbury and Western Connecticut State University communities to read the same book during the summer and fall of 2008, then come together to discuss the book and participate in activities related to the book in venues throughout the city and university. Although many communities across America sponsor similar programs, this is one of the few where a city public library, a public school system and a university have formed a partnership for this initiative.
The Book
The book selection for 2008 is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. The novel, with its moving story of first- and second-generation Indian immigrants, is an appropriate choice for Danbury since our city is one of great ethnic and cultural diversity and home to many generations of immigrants. It also advances the university’s theme for the 2008-09 academic year to expose students to the “learning opportunities that differences can create.”
The Events
Events designed to compliment the themes of the book are scheduled primarily between Oct. 1 through Nov. 5, 2008, with a special appearance by Mira Nair, film director of The Namesake, scheduled on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Western Connecticut State University.