One Book, One Community picks ‘Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet’

Jamie Ford’s debut novel and New York Times bestseller “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” is the selection for the 2011 “One Book, One Community” project.

Everyone in the Twin Ports and surrounding areas is encouraged to begin reading and discussing the book in anticipation of the 10th annual area-wide reading celebration. The highlight of the 2011 One Book project will be author Jamie Ford’s appearance in Duluth and two other northeastern Minnesota communities that will be selected in coming weeks.

The One Book, One Community committee is planning events related to the book for next March and April. More details will be available later.

Ford’s novel is set in Seattle during World War II. It is the story of two Americans: Henry, who is of Chinese descent, and Keiko, whose heritage is Japanese. It was a time when tensions ran high against the Japanese and when ethnic groups did not mix. The story deals with issues caused by war that are far beyond the battlefield. One reviewer called the book “an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope.”

Any organization is welcome to join the project. Libraries, schools, universities, book clubs, community groups and others are encouraged to schedule events around themes in the book.

For more information about the project, call the Library’s Community Services office at 218-730-4236.

The 2011 One Book, One Community project is sponsored by the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Library Foundation, Arrowhead Library System, Arrowhead Reading Council, The Bookstore at Fitger’s, Cloquet Public Library, Fitger’s Inn, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, and the Minnesota Legacy Amendment Fund.

Tags: entertainment, cloquet, books