Walk into my apartment, and you might think I’m mama to 14 children and 23 babies. You see, I love books. Particularly children’s books. I own approximately two million and seventeen children’s books (hence the mistaken guesses about babies), but I read anything and everything. Which is why I’m so excited it’s finally One Book One New Orleans season – six weeks of free, fabulous, only-in-NOLA events – centered around one special NOLA book!
Dan Baum's bestselling Nine Lives
Every fall One Book creates community and promotes literacy in the Greater New Orleans region by encouraging New Orleanians to read the same book at the same time. Oh, and also to come out to a slew of cool, free events they organize around the annual book selection. This year’s selection, Dan Baum’s Nine Lives, is a huge personal favorite, the kind of book even non-readers love. Part reportage, part creative non-fiction, it traces the lives of nine real New Orleanians from every walk of life, full of drama and miracles as only life in New Orleans is.
Full calendar of events below, but be sure not to miss the Happy Hour tonight (free food from Antoine’s Restaurant and drink specials inspired by Nine Lives!), or your chance to enter the Tenth Life Contest to win a free Nook e-reader (plus a gift certificate to start putting books on there)! Another personal favorite: next week’s free film screening of “Mr. Okra,” a short film about one of New Orleans most ubiquitous and beloved citizens, followed by “From the Mouthpiece On Back,” a documentary about local jazz-hop heroes, the To Be Continued Brass Band, outside under the stars and next to the statues in the Sculpture Garden at NOMA.
One Book Calendar
A Night of Networking: Young Professional Happy Hour – Monday, Sept 26, 5:30-8:00pm. Enjoy cocktail specials inspired by Nine Lives plus free food from Antoine’s Restaurant during a night at one of the locations featured in Nine Lives, Hermes Bar. Hermes Bar, Antoine’s Restaurant, 713 St. Louis St.
Giving the Gift of Literacy: Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners – Sunday, Oct 2, 4pm. Volunteer Day with Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners: read letters from inmates requesting books. Sort, pack, and ship new reading materials to help fight illiteracy in the prison system. YLC Headquarters, 1840 Euterpe St.
“From The Mouthpiece On Back”: An Outdoor Film Screening in the Sculpture Garden – Tuesday, Oct 5, 7pm. Free outdoor screening of “Mr. Okra,” a short film about one of New Orleans most ubiquitous and beloved citizens, followed by “From the Mouthpiece On Back,” a documentary about the To Be Continued Brass Band, featured in Nine Lives. Suggested donation: 1 paperback for donation to incarcerated prisoners lacking reading materials. Featuring special guest, Mr. Okra! Sculpture Garden, New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle.
Dinner at Dooky Chase With Dan Baum – Thursday, Oct 13, 7pm. Author panel, featuring Dan Baum and special guests from Nine Lives, with free Dooky Chase buffet! Limited Seating, sign up at the One Book website to win a spot. Dooky Chase Restaurant, 2301 Orleans Ave.
“Tenth Life” Essay Contest – In Nine Lives, Dan Baum turns the lives of New Orleanians into a series of vignettes that explore the hearts and minds of our neighbors. Submit a “tenth life” essay to [email protected] for the chance to win a Nook and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card! For more information, visit the One Book website. Essays due Oct 7 at midnight.
One Book Finale – Wednesday, Oct. 19 – Free food, drink, and special guests from Dan Baum’s Nine Lives. Live music and words from New Orleans officials. New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave.
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