Library Activities Highlight 6th Year of Forsyth Reads Together

Forsyth County Public Library officials say they're excited about celebrating the sixth year of Forsyth Reads Together, a community-wide reading program that aims to get everyone in Forsyth County reading and talking about the same book, according to the news release. 

Past title selections have included Little Women, Murder on the Orient Express, To Kill a Mockingbird, the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay. 

This year’s selection, All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg, is a compelling memoir about Bragg’s life growing up in rural Alabama. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called it “a grand memoir.... Bragg tells about the South with such power and bone-naked love...he will make you cry." 

In addition to writing a number of bestselling nonfiction books, Bragg also has worked at several newspapers. In 1996, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his work at The New York Times. 

Starting this week, the library will offer a variety of programs and events as part of Forsyth Reads Together. These programs tie-in with All Over but the Shoutin’. 

'Alabama’s Rick Bragg: Out of the Dirt' Film Showing Sept. 4 and 6

Forsyth County Public Library Cinema will present the film,Alabama’s Rick Bragg: Out of the Dirt, Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Post Road Library and again on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Hampton Park Library. The film provides an exclusive glimpse into the life of Rick Bragg and his Alabama roots. Footage includes interviews with Bragg, along with comments from friends and family members who shaped the man into the writer he is today. Advance registration is not required to attend the movie screenings. 

'Writing Your Life' Memoir Workshops Set for Sept. 5, 13

The library will also offer several writing workshops. BJ Robinson of the University of North Georgia will present “Writing Your Life” memoir workshops on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Sharon Forks Library and again on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Cumming Library. Participants will learn how to write their own memoirs. Dr. Robinson will guide participants through organizational structure ideas and exercises. Advance registration is required for each of these workshops, which are limited to 25 participants. Patrons may register to attend by visiting the library’s website at www.forsythpl.org. 

'All Over but the Shoutin'' Book Discussions Sept. 10, 11

Two of the library branches will also host book discussions focusing on All Over but the Shoutin’. Patrons are invited to participate in these discussions, which do not require advance registration to attend. The Cumming Library will host the program on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and the Sharon Forks Library will discuss the book on Wednesday, Sept. 11. 

An Evening with Rick Bragg Is the Main Event

All of these programs lead up to the main event, An Evening with Rick Bragg, on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The community is invited to join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center as he discusses All Over but the Shoutin’. The author talk will begin at 7 p.m. and a book signing will follow. Barnes and Noble will sell Mr. Bragg’s books at the event as well. Please register for this special event by visiting the library’s website, www.forsythpl.org. 

Forsyth Reads Together is a joint effort sponsored by the Forsyth County Public Library as well as Forsyth County Arts Alliance, Forsyth County Public Library Friends & Advocates and Literacy Forsyth.