2020 One Book One Community Virtual Author Event
The 2020 One Book, One Community Author event with Pam Houston will be virtual on Thursday, September 10 at 7 pm.
One Book, One Community is a national program that encourages public libraries across the United States to choose a book their entire community can read together then meet and discuss. Summit County extended the program even further to invite the author to join us for a community lecture.
“We’ve welcomed well known authors in the past,” says Kirsten Nilssen, Summit County Children’s Librarian, “including Ruta Sepetys (Salt to the Sea), Daniel James Brown (The Boys in the Boat) and Utah's own Terry Tempest Williams (When Women Were Birds). This year, the libraries and Dolly’s are happy to partner with the Utah Humanities Council to welcome Pam Houston to virtually visit Park City.”
Pam Huston’s Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country is perfect for Summit County because she shares our passions about a number of environmental and social issues which she writes about in this memoir. She, along with our residents love the gorgeous mountains and wide open spaces along with all the outdoor activities. We even have resident cows and herds of elk within our city limits. “Pam Houston loves all of these things,” says Nilsson, “and she especially loves Park City, having lived here while she was attending the University of Utah as a graduate student early in her writing career. She jumped at the chance to come and talk about her book with us. I know she’s sorry that she can’t come back to visit in person. But a virtual conversation will have to suffice for now.”
Pam Houston offers hope and optimism during what for most of us is an uncertain and difficult time. She’s had some difficult, painful experiences and personal relationships in her life but she’s been able to put them in perspective and continue to find hope and see the good in the world. “Her optimism is contagious,” says Nilsson. “I want viewers to catch some of that hope and optimism when they hear her speak.”
“Her writing can be stark and spare; she’s careful with the words she uses,” says Nilsson. “It reminds me of Willa Cather. As I was reading Deep Creek, I noticed one of the cows on her ranch is named Willa. I asked her about it and she said that Cather’s works had a great influence on her writing. She’s also been awarded the WILLA Award (named after Cather) which honors outstanding literature featuring women’s stories, set in the Western United States. I’m kind of proud of myself for finding that connection! Funny how things can come around full circle sometimes.”
Nilsson encourages everyone, whether you’ve read the book or not, to join in the virtual interview. “She’s an intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful writer and also very wise--all of this comes across in Deep Creek, as well as her presentation. She’s also very funny and not afraid to speak her mind. You won’t be disappointed. We’re in for a treat!”
Join the Zoom conversation with Pam Houston on Thursday, September 10, 7 pm by going to Park City Library or Summit County Library’s Facebook page. If the Zoom meeting is full, you may also watch via Facebook on the Park City Library Facebook page. There will be a brief Q & A following her presentation. Copies of Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country are available for purchase at Dolly’s Bookstore as well as for checkout at both libraries--the ebook is always available through the “Libby” app with your library card.