Thanks to all for making One Read 2007 such a success
> posted October 9, 2007
The public response to the book, the discussions, and the author's visit were exciting for the library and we were gratified to witness so much community engagement.
Check out "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen at DBRL libraries in Columbia, Fulton and Ashland, or on the bookmobile and then join us for a book discussion or other event.
Jacob Jankowski, now in a nursing home, recounts his youthful experiences in a traveling circus during the Great Depression. Orphaned and penniless, young Jacob jumped a train and ended up caring for the animals of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth including Rosie the elephant. Author Sara Gruen contrasts the tawdry, and often cruel, but fascinating features of Jacob's circus life with his present day dissatisfaction, his sterile nursing home existence and his family's neglect.
The public response to the book, the discussions, and the author's visit were exciting for the library and we were gratified to witness so much community engagement.
Congratulations to our winners of autographed copies of "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen: Carolyn Buening, Laura Estes, Tammy Fishback, Brenna Hickman, Nancy Lenger and Paul Treece.
One Read author Sara Gruen greeted and spoke with readers of her book at two events this Tuesday. A dedicated group of folks showed up early Tuesday afternoon at the library to get a personal word with Gruen as she signed their copies of "Water for Elephants." Later that evening, over 200 readers turned out at Columbia College's Launer Auditorium to hear her describe her research in dusty museums, small-time modern circuses and wonderful books of old photographs. The lovely old auditorium felt just the right size as people stood up to ask their questions near the end of the lecture and Gruen was happy to discuss her work and remember the characters she spent so much time creating.
The Columbia Daily Tribune and the Columbia Missourian also published articles about Gruen's visit.