"Book Signing, One Book-One Columbus"

The first of several literary events at the Columbus Public Library in February is an autograph session with local author, Irene O’Brien, who has been a freelance writer for 25 years. Here’s the blurb from the advertising poster you’ve no doubt seen around town: “She wrote and published “Christian JoyRide: Marked by a Reckless Driver”. She then became a Licensed Lay Minister and served a small rural church for several years before retiring.”

I’ve known Irene since the early eighties and believe me, the word “retire” is not in her vocabulary. I was fortunate enough to be in the bookstore business when Irene’s first inspirational and light-hearted book came out. She was absolutely tireless in her promotions, signings, and marketing of the book “Christian JoyRide” that “celebrates bumpy roads, uncertain curves, and crossroads”

I’m happy to report that Ms. O’Brien is not a “one-horse-wonder”. Sunday, February 5, 2006 from 2pm to 4pm at the Columbus Public Library she will be signing her latest effort: “The Bandit’s Lady”. It’s certainly quite a change of pace--- “The Bandit’s Lady” is considered, at least in the publishing world, a historical romance. Set in the South during the Civil War, the action is non-stop and engrossing. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to sit down and thoroughly enjoy the characters and the setting.

Please join Columbus Public Library in welcoming our very own author: Irene O’Brien, on Sunday, February 5th, 2006 from 2pm to 4pm. Irene will have both books available for purchase and will be very happy to autograph one or both books. Signed books make wonderful gifts for Valentine’s Day and other special occasions.

Also in February, the Library will be hosting the first of the “One Book --- One Columbus” programs. The “one book” that everyone is reading is entitled, “Goodnight, Nebraska” by Tom McNeal. The Library’s 50 copies have already been read by over 200 people. An additional 60 books have been sold in local stores. Interest is running high about the book, which concerns the lives of several people from the fictional Nebraska town of Goodnight---located somewhere between Chadron and Alliance.

On Thursday, February 9th, 2006 The Honorable Judge Patrick McDermott will be hosting the first workshop for the book. This session is entitled: “Alternative Sentencing in the Juvenile Court System”.

You might be wondering what will be happening at a “workshop”? First of all, each event, whether it’s a workshop or a “book discussion”, will be conducted by the members of one of our city’s very own book clubs. The members will introduce the participants involved in the program, try to keep the flow of the discussion moving and staying on topic, also be responsible for the goodies to be served at each and every function for One Book ---One Columbus.

Thursday, February 23rd, 2006 is a “community book review.” This review will be hosted by the “Library Book Review Club.” As the book is many faceted, we hope that our readers will attend as many of the events as possible. The storyline and the variety of characters in “Goodnight, Nebraska” will promote quite a lively discussion.

The workshops will center on the three themes of the book: Juvenile Court; Sports and the Value of Athletics; and the very last event will be a workshop on “Marriage—What Makes or Breaks It”.

The “One book…” programs have been successful in dozens of communities around the nation. It’s our hope at the Library, that this sesquicentennial event will be equally successful. Check out the posters, pick up a bookmark that lists the events and continue to read articles in the Columbus Telegram about the coming events. Most importantly, of course, read the book, “Goodnight, Nebraska”
If there are any questions I’ve left unanswered, please contact me at: (402)564-7116 ext. 2; shansen@columbusne.us, or check out our library website at www.columbuslibrary.info.