Diamondhead launches new “community read” program

DIAMONDHEAD, MS ─ What if everyone in the community read the same book, then joined together to discuss it? This is the core idea behind a new “community reading” program that will launch, officially, on July 1, 2024, in Diamondhead.

The community reading concept is national in scope with programs throughout the U.S. and is supported by the American Library Association according to John Brdecka, executive director of the Hancock County Library System, which is promoting the initiative locally in Diamondhead.

The HCLS operates the East Hancock library branch located at 4545 Shepherd Square, behind Rouses Market, Diamondhead.

“We’re excited to be able to help bring this popular program to Diamondhead,” exclaimed Brdecka. “With this program comes a stream of noted and acclaimed authors who will visit the community in the years ahead. We are reaching out to all of the book clubs in the area. During the next several months we’re urging residents of the Diamondhead area to participate in a shared reading experience. We hope also to engage area high school students in this initiative.”

A steering committee made up of volunteers began meeting in March to explore establishing the new program.

The enthusiasm has been there since the very first meeting, stated Gerri McCleskey, manager of the East Hancock library branch.

The committee includes Mary Gobert, well known for her longtime advocacy of local news in Diamondhead; Leah Holmes, branch manager of the Bay St. Louis library and Diamondhead resident; Catherine Tibbs, recently retired manager of the Hancock Performing Arts Center; Mayor Nancy Depreo, volunteer with Diamondhead Senior Village; Sarah Shelton, director of the Diamondhead School of Fine Arts; Kathleen Martin with the Diamondhead POA; Carol Stealey, Senior Center volunteer and member of the Literary Society of Diamondhead book club; and, LeAndra Beckemeyer book club member and long-term library patron.

The book, MY TWO ELAINES by author Martin Schreiber will be the first shared “community read” for the Diamondhead program. Schreiber, a former governor of Wisconsin, will travel to Diamondhead later this year for a December 5th community gathering and discussion of his book. (Full title: MY TWO ELAINES: LEARNING, COPING, AND SURVIVING AS AN ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER).

The state of Mississippi recently designated Diamondhead as the first “Memory Loss Friendly Community” in Mississippi. Press Release; June 13, 2024 Diamondhead Community Reads Page two of two “Appropriately, Marty Schreiber’s best-selling book will underscore and help educate the community about memory loss,” stated Nancy Depreo.

Author Schreiber served as caregiver to his wife, Elaine, who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Net proceeds from sales of the book go to support the Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers.

Diamondhead is the second community in the Coastal Mississippi area to offer a community reading program.

In Pass Christian, the “ONE BOOK, ONE PASS” community reading program is in its eighth year. Authors appearing in the Pass in recent years have included Walter Isaacson (New Orleans), Jesmyn Ward (Delisle), and Kiese Laymon (Jackson).

To help launch the Diamondhead Reads community reading initiative, a public reception and ribboncutting is scheduled for 4:30 PM on Monday, July 1st, at the East Hancock Library in Diamondhead.

Persons interested in the Diamondhead community reading program, and book clubs wishing to participate can contact the East Hancock Library for further information. Tel. 228. 255.4800.

A second book entitled STILL ALICE, the debut novel by author Lisa Genova was also selected to be read as a complement to the Diamondhead community read inaugural selection.

Genova, associated with Harvard University, is a well-known and recognized expert in neuroscience and memory loss. STILL ALICE inspired the film by the same name, which starred Julianne Moore in an Oscar-winning role as a woman dealing with early onslaught Alzheimer’s.

Genova also authored the non-fiction, REMEMBER: THE SCIENCE OF MEMORY AND THE ART OF FORGETTING, and her newest novel is due out in early 2025.