2023 Same Page Community Read Brochure

A CONVERSATION WITH ROSS GAY JEFFERSON SCHOOL

Kickoff Events

Pick up a free paperback copy of The Book of Delights from your local JMRL branch at a Same Page kickoff event, or while supplies last.

WED., MARCH 1, 9:30AM-5PM

Nelson Memorial Library

FRI., MARCH 3, 3-5PM

Crozet Library

FRI., MARCH 3, 3-5PM

Scottsville Library

SAT., MARCH 4, 11AM-1PM

Central Branch

MON., MARCH 6, 10AM-9PM

Northside Branch

THURS., MARCH 9, 10AM-6PM

Greene County Branch

SAT., MARCH 11, 2-4PM

Gordon Avenue Branch

TUE., MARCH 14, 5PM

Louisa County Library

JMRL invites all Central Virginians to read and discuss The Book of Delights by Ross Gay, the 2023 Same Page Community Read selection. Throughout March, the region-wide reading initiative provides opportunities for book groups, classrooms, and individuals to explore the themes of a single book by an author appearing at the Virginia Festival of the Book.

The Book of Delights offers a compilation of lyrical essays written daily over the course a year, from one birthday to the next. Gay’s observations and reflections are a reminder and joyful celebration of everyday wonders that often go overlooked. His essays drift across a wide range of topics from the natural world to his experience living in America as a Black man.

An acclaimed and award-winning poet, Gay’s 2015 book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, and was a finalist for the National Book Award in Poetry.

Adult Book Groups

DISCUSSING: THE BOOK OF DELIGHTS BY ROSS GAY

THURSDAY,MARCH2,7PM

ChampionBrewingCompany

THURSDAY,MARCH2,7PM

GreeneCountyLibrary(virtual)

MONDAY,MARCH6,7PM

CrozetLibrary(inperson+virtual)

WEDNESDAY,MARCH8,7:30PM

GordonAvenueLibrary(virtual)

WEDNESDAY,MARCH15,7PM

NorthsideLibrary

THURSDAY,MARCH16,12PM

CentralLibrary

THURSDAY,MARCH23,7PM

ScottsvilleLibrary(Virtual)

MONDAY,MARCH27,1PM

NelsonMemorialLibrary

TUESDAY,MARCH28,4PM

LouisaCountyLibrary

Teen & Tween Book Groups

DISCUSSING: THE BOOK OF DELIGHTS BY ROSS GAY

TUESDAY,MARCH7,3:45PM

LouisaCountyLibrary

DISCUSSING: THE PLAYBOOK BY KWAME ALEXANDER

TUESDAY,MARCH14,4:30PM

GordonAvenueLibrary(ages10-12)

Kids Book Groups Branch Activities

DISCUSSING: CHANGE SINGS BY AMANDA GORMAN

THURSDAY,MARCH16,10:30AM

LouisaCountyLibrary

SATURDAY,MARCH25,11AM

ScottsvilleLibrary

DISCUSSING: THE ONE THING YOU'D SAVE BY LINDA SUE PARK

MONDAY, MARCH 13, 3:30PM Greene County Library

THURSDAY,MARCH16,4PM GordonAvenueLibrary(virtual)

THURSDAY,MARCH23,3:30PM ScottsvilleLibrary

Multi-Age Programs

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 3-4PM

ALL-AGE BOOK GROUP

CHANGE SINGS

Gordon Avenue Library

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 10-11AM

ELEMENTS OF POETRY: AN INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP

Central Library (ages 12+)

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2-4PM STOMP THE SPREAD OF SPOTTED LANTERNFLY Louisa County Library

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 3:30-4:30PM

ECOTHERAPY NATURE WALK AT MINT SPRINGS PARK Crozet Library

A Conversation with Ross Gay

COMMUNITYPOETRY&ART COLLABORATION(Crozet)

FLOWERCOLORINGBOOKMARKS (GordonAvenue,Scottsville)

HOTAIRBALLOONSTAINED GLASSTAKE&MAKECRAFT (Northside)

KITETAKE&MAKECRAFT (Central)

MINIJOURNALTAKE&MAKE (GordonAvenue,Northside)

MOMENTSOFDELIGHTBAGS (Bookmobile,Central,Greene,Louisa)

PICTUREPOETRYSTATIONS (Central)

WEEKLYDELIGHTS(Nelson)

VISITASTORYWALK CHANGESINGS(Scottsville)

IFANIMALSBUILTYOURHOUSE (SpruceCreekPark)

HOWMOUNTAINSAREMADE (CamilleTrailhead)

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2PM The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center For Tickets: https://www.vabook.org/tickets

In partnership with the Virginia Festival of the Book, JMRL presents A Conversation with Ross Gay on Saturday, March 25, 2PM, at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. Gay will discuss The Book of Delights (2019) as well as his new book of essays, Inciting Joy (2022), in conversation with Aran Donovan, Assistant Director, Virginia Center for the Book

Prepare to be delighted as Gay acclaimed poet and professor, gardener, former college football player, and avid basketball fan shares personal stories and selections from his works.

Early interest in the ticketed event has been very strong. An on-site simulcast in Carver Recreation Center will accommodate overflow seating from the waiting list in the same room where book sales and signing will occur. The program will also be livestreamed, and virtual viewings will be available at some JMRL branch locations.

Sponsored by Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and Piedmont Master Gardeners.

Photo credit: Natasha Komoda

Kids Programs

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 10-10:30AM

STORYTIME AT THE GARDEN

Botanical Garden of the Piedmont

Teen Programs

(DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED)

TEEN POET LAUREATE RECEPTION

Crozet Library

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 3:45-4:45PM

TEEN CRAFTERNOON

Louisa County Library

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 4:30-5:30PM

PROCRAFTINATING

Gordon Avenue Library

Adult Programs

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1:30PM

HARMONY WITH NATURE: THE MINDSET OF SUSTAINABILITY AT MORVEN KITCHEN GARDEN Northside Library

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2-4PM

MINI MEDITATION RETREAT Central Library

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2PM

CHARLEY SPEAKS: LIVING AS A BLACK TRANS MAN IN THE SOUTH Central Library

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 6-8PM

COOKBOOK BOOK CLUB: “EAT JOY”

Greene County Library

All events are subject to change in format or cancellation. Visit jmrl.org/samepage for more details and a calendar of events.

Same Page Community Read is generously funded by the Friends of JMRL, supported by the Art and Jane Hess Fund of the Library Endowment, and Virginia Festival of the Book (a program of Virginia Humanities).