One community, one book

Destin Library is asking the residents of our community to participate in its first “Big Read.” The National Endowment for the Arts started this initiative in 2006 to encourage reading and participation for diverse audiences.

Since Florida is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year, the Library thinks learning about the state’s colorful history is particularly fitting.

Selected book is “A Land Remembered,” a best-selling novel written by author Patrick D. Smith and published in 1984 by Pineapple Press. It is historical fiction that brings to life pioneer Florida, covering the period from 1858 to 1968.

All Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative member libraries have several copies of the book available for check out to cardholders. Many area book clubs have read and discussed “A Land Remembered” in recent years and it was also on the area high schools’ reading lists.

A book discussion will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Destin Library, as well as at Northwest Florida State College on Nov. 1.  The culmination of this “Big Read” will be a highly praised, live presentation by the author’s son, Rick Smith, at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 in the Fort Walton Beach Municipal  Auditorium.

All programs related to this Viva Florida 500 event are free and open to the public.