There are still seats available for the One Book One Town signature event, an Evening with author Ivan Maisel at Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 28th at 7pm. Should you find you’re not able to join us in-person, Mr. Maisel’s talk will be streamed live at The Quick Live, Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts online programming website.
For Episode 25 of our podcast, we were so fortunate to have Ivan Maisel and his wife Meg Murray join us. Their open and honest conversation about their journey of grief as individuals, as a couple, and as parents will undoubtedly add so much to your reading experience of I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye.
You’ll find the podcast by clicking on the icon below or by searching “Fairfield What Are You Reading” on your favorite podcast platform.
We are honored to announce that the title chosen was written by a resident of Fairfield. This year’s OBOT selection is I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye by Ivan Maisel. It is an honest and emotionally deep memoir in which Ivan reflects on the loss of his dear son Max to suicide, the impact of grief on family and community, and the painful journey which brings Ivan to a place of seeing grief as an expression of love.
What Ivan and his family experienced was felt throughout the entire community. For this reason, the existence of this beautiful memoir presented itself as an urgent and unique opportunity to bring an essential conversation to the forefront.
Here is a summary of the book from the publisher: “In February 2015, Ivan Maisel received a call that would alter his life forever: his son Max’s car was found abandoned in a parking next to Lake Ontario. Two months later, Max’s body would be found in the lake. I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye is the story of Maisel’s love for a son who was so different from him, but who he loved so deeply, and how he came to learn that grief for Max was nothing more than a last, ultimate expression of love. Navigating the moments of their complicated relationship, as well as their love for each other, Maisel explores the bridges he tried to build to his son and the grief that engulfed him and his family after Max’s death by suicide. Taking its title from Max’s love of photography–and his tendency to only love the camera when he was behind it, looking away whenever his picture was taken–I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye delves into the tragically transformative reality of losing a child, all with grace, depth, and refinement. But by humanizing Max and humanizing his grief, Maisel evokes understanding instead of sorrow, appreciation instead of anxiety–and love instead of fear.”
Special thanks goes to Tamara Lyhne, Children’s Librarian, and Jen Laseman, Teen Librarian, for choosing wonderful titles for our younger readers. For Teens and middle school readers the titles are Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers and also Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration. Both books are edited by Rose Brock and feature stories that celebrate the triumphant power of hope, an important message in a time when hope is sometimes difficult to find.
For Children, the title is The Rhino Suit by Colter Jackson. This gentle and moving picture book tells the story of a very sensitive little girl who builds herself a rhino suit as protection against all of the bad and sad feelings she experiences.
Ivan Maisel will be appearing at the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00pm. Registration for this event is required and will begin on Tuesday, February 28th.
Colter Jackson will be appearing at the Main Library on Saturday, March 25th at 1:00pm. Rose Brock will be holding an event as well, time and date TBA. A full list of programs is to follow; many of them will include professionals who work in the counseling field. Details will be added to the events page as they become available.
Fairfield Public Library and our community partners will be announcing the One Book One Town selection for 2023 in the Periodicals Room at Main Library on Tuesday, January 10th at 10 am. This year’s choice is quite special and holds significant meaning for the Fairfield community. All are welcome to join us at the announcement.
The author of our OBOT 2023 book will be appearing at the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm.
We will also be announcing the titles of companion books for reading by teens and children. More information about the events surrounding the titles will be offered as well.
Our community partners include Pequot Library, Fairfield University, Fairfield University Bookstore, Sacred Heart University, and the Fairfield Museum and History Center. One Book One Town is made possible by the generous support of The Friends of the Fairfield Public Library.
It is One Book One Town Book selection time! We would love to hear from our patrons. Have you read a book recently that you are eager to share? Do you think it is worthy of a community wide conversation? The criteria is as follows: must have been published in 2021 or 2022, the author must be living and able to come to Fairfield in March 2023. Simple as that, so please fill out this form. We can’t wait to see what you suggest.
Thank you –
The OBOT committee
We want to thank TJ Klune for an unforgettable evening!
If you weren’t able to attend or watch TJ Klune’s talk on March 1st at the SHU Community Theatre – no worries! You can watch it on Fairfield Public Library’s YouTube channel by clicking here.
The February episode of our library podcast focuses on One Book One Town (OBOT). Join host Philip Bahr as he welcomes OBOT members Mary Coe, Jennifer Laseman, and Claudia Silk. Topics include the history of OBOT, the selection process, 2022 choice The House in the Cerulean Sea, and author TJ Klune’s writing and books. Dig deeper in this Cerulean Sea love fest.
Listen to the podcast on Anchor or search on your favorite podcast platform under, “Fairfield What Are You Reading?”
This is the signature event of Fairfield’s One Book One Town 2022 celebration! Join us for a wonderful evening with the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune. Registration is required and will begin on February 1st at 9 am.
Register here to attend in-person.
Register here to attend virtually.
Have you listened to The House in the Cerulean Sea on audiobook yet? If not, you’re in for a special treat. As a thank you to the town, audiobook narrator Daniel Henning created a special welcome from all the characters in the book especially for the town of Fairfield!
Listen to the audio message:
Aside from print and e-book copies, the audiobook is available on hoopla. Click to borrow immediately – no holds, no waits.
Visit audiobook narrator Daniel Henning’s website.
The One Book One Town 2022 title was revealed today in front of the SHU Community Theatre. We were so happy to see elected officials including First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, members of the Friends of Fairfield Public, community partners and patrons join in this celebratory event.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is the multiple award-winning fantasy novel by TJ Klune, published in December of 2020 by Tor Books. The committee was absolutely captivated by this book because of its themes of love, acceptance and kindness, calling it “an enchanting read”, “heartwarming and charming” and “pure happiness”.
TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. We will be hosting TJ for our One Book One Town signature author event right here at the SHU Community Theatre on Tuesday, March 1st at 7:00 pm. Registration for this event will begin on Tuesday, February 1st at 9:00 am.
https://fplct.librarymarket.com/events/one-book-one-town-author-event-tj-klune
Copies of the book, both print and digital are available through Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield Woods Branch Library and Pequot Library.