Wayne County Reads book selected
By Staff Reports
Published in News on December 12, 2011 1:46 PM
Wayne County Reads has selected "The Pleasure Was Mine," a novel about a family coping with a member in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, as its 2012 selection.
The novel's author, Tommy Hays of Asheville, has agreed to come to Goldsboro to discuss his book. Hays' talk on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, will kick off three weeks of activities centered on the book and issues raised in it.
"We are excited once again to feature a North Carolina author," said Liz Meador, Wayne County Reads chairman. "While all of our books have been well-received, readers like the chance to meet the author, ask questions and have their copies of the book signed."
"Many Wayne County residents are dealing with the issues of aging presented in this book. Our goal is for the programs presented this year is to spur discussions on these issues," Mrs. Meador said.
Wayne County Reads organizers encourage local residents to buy copies of the books as holiday gifts. The book is available at the bookstore at Wayne Community College and at Books-A-Million.
The Wayne County Public Library will also have copies available for checkout from all its branches.
Published in 2006, "The Pleasure Was Mine" is about Prate Marshbanks, whose wife, Irene, is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. As he is forced to make some difficult decisions about her care, he is also forced to reconnect with his grown son, Newel,l and his 9-year-old grandson, Jackson, over a summer.
The book is both moving and comic at times, Donna Phillips, director of the Wayne County Public Library, who originally recommended it. "I really believe people are going to find the novel evokes both tears and smiles."
"The Pleasure Was Mine" was also chosen for community reading programs in Greensboro, Rockingham County, Alamance County and Greenville, S.C. The novel was read on National Public Radio's "Radio Reader" and South Carolina ETV-Radio's "Southern Read." It was a finalist for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance's Fiction Award.
Hayes is executive director of the Great Smokies Writing Program and a lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
The 2012 schedule of events is as follows:
* Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m.: Kickoff - Talk by author Tommy Hays,
followed by book signing and reception, Moffatt Auditorium, Wayne Community College
* Wednesday, Feb. 8, noon: Book discussion with the author, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Library
* Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Creative writing workshop with Tommy Hays, Moye Library, Mount Olive College
* Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Film, Wayne County Public Library
* Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m.: "The Best Is Yet To Be" play by Dr. Elliot Engel, featuring Quinn Hawksworth with introduction by Dr. LeRoy King, Moffatt Auditorium, Wayne Community College
* Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m.: Children's story time and craft session to make cards for veterans, Seymour Johnson AFB Library
* Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m.: Film, Wayne County Public Library
* Thursday, Feb. 16, noon and 6 p.m.: Book discussions led by Kay Cooke, Wayne County Public Library
* Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m.: Book discussion, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Library
* Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Scanning Party to Preserve Old Photos, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Library
* Tues., Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: Panel discussion -- "Alzheimer's/Dementia: Joy and Challenges of Care Giving," family caregivers share their stories, Wayne County Public Library
* Thurs., Feb. 23, 7 p.m.: Nana Belle @ Night -- story on grandparents/aging, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Library
* Sat., Feb. 25, 2-5 p.m.: Festival for the Ages (presentation of writing awards; performances by Samantha Casey, square dancers and senior dance groups; pottery and other handcraft demonstrations; activities for all ages,) Wayne Center
* Local libraries will have displays with discussion guides and bibliographies for those interested in thoroughly exploring the book and others that deal with its subject matter.
For up-to-date schedule information, go to www.WayneReads.com or follow it on Facebook.
Wayne County Reads is a one book, one-community project started in 2004. In addition to discussing each book's literary merits, the program provides free public programs such as lectures, exhibits, performances, films, discussions, demonstrations, contests and festivals that explore the themes and issues in the books.