Category Archives: Books & Reading

Literary Events in June 2022

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Kayla Henzel

June 2022 is coming fast! If you’re looking for something to do in the coming month, check out the NCB Calendar! See what literary events are happening near you.

The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change. Some events, workshops, or conferences may charge a fee or require prior registration.

Contact us if you have an event that you would like to be featured on the NCB Calendar!

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2023 One Book One Nebraska Nominations

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Tessa Timperley

You can have a say in what we read for One Book One Nebraska! The selection committee can’t consider a book unless it’s been nominated, so make sure you fill out the Online Nomination Form by June 15th!
Books must meet the following criteria:
1. Written by a Nebraska author, or has a Nebraska setting
2. Is in print
3. Is an adult title (Children/YA books are not considered)

Note: Titles only need to be nominated a single time to be considered by the selection committee.
Multiple nominations for the same title do not carry additional weight in the evaluation process.

Nominations received after the deadline will be considered for the following year.
Suggestions can also be e-mailed to: nlc.ask@nebraska.gov.

More information about One Book One Nebraska at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/programs/onebook.html 

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May 2022 Literary Events

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Kayla Henzel

Happy first day of May!

A new month brings many new opportunities and events! Check out the NCB Calendar to see what is happening near you and across the state this month.

Time, date, and location of these events are subject to change. Some may charge a fee and require prior registration.

Please contact us if you have an event that you would like to be featured on the Calendar!

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Young Nebraskans Win Writing Competition 

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Kayla Henzel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2022
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tessa Terry
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Young Nebraskans Win Writing Competition

Nebraska student’s competed for the twenty-third year in the annual Letters About Literature competition. They wrote to tell an author about how books can make a difference in a young person’s life. Young Nebraska writers who wrote winning letters in the Letters About Literature competition will receive award certificates signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts at a proclamation signing ceremony on April 4th. Letters About Literature is a state-wide reading and writing promotion program. The competition encourages young people to read, be inspired, and write back to the author (living or dead) who had an impact on their lives.

This annual contest is coordinated and sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Library Commission, Houchen Bindery Ltd., Humanities Nebraska, and Chapters Bookstore in Seward.

Young Nebraska writers to be honored are:

Winners
Madison Mittelstet, of Lincoln, for a letter to Tui T. Sutherland
Hugh Skretta, of Lincoln, for a letter to Joelle Charbonneau
Caroline Ahsan, of Omaha, for a letter to Khaled Hosseini

Runners-up
Alina Fathima, of Omaha, for a letter to Aubre Andrus
Andrea Nyamedi, of Omaha, for a letter to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Isabella Beck, of Omaha, for a letter to Tara Westover

The students wrote personal letters to authors explaining how his or her work changed their view of themselves or the world. They selected authors from any genre, fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic. Winners were chosen from three competition levels: upper elementary, middle, and secondary school.

The Nebraska winners are honored at a luncheon and receive cash prizes and gift certificates. Their winning letters are placed in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. For more information about the competition see http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/programs/LAL.html

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.

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March Events

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Kayla Henzel

Happy first day of March!

It’s a new month filled new opportunities and events. Check out the NCB Calendar to see what events are happening near you and across the state this month!

The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change. Some events, workshops, or conferences may charge a fee or require registration prior to the event.

Please contact us if you have an event that you think should be featured on the NCB Calendar!

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The Bones of Paradise Proclaimed the 2022 One Book One Nebraska

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Tessa Timperley

On Jan. 10, 2022, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation honoring 2022 One Book One Nebraska: The Bones of Paradise: A Novel (William Morrow, 2016) by Jonis Agee. Rebecca Faber, Nebraska Center for the Book (NCB) Board member spoke about the program and selection. The Bones of Paradise is a multigenerational family saga set in the unforgiving Nebraska Sand Hills in the years following the massacre at Wounded Knee—an ambitious tale of history, vengeance, race, guilt, betrayal, family, and belonging, filled with a vivid cast of characters shaped by violence, love, and a desperate loyalty to the land. The full proclamation can be viewed on the One Book One Nebraska webpages at http://onebook.nebraska.gov.

The One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Library Commission, and Humanities Nebraska is entering its eighteenth year. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events to encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities are available at http://onebook.nebraska.gov. The author, Jonis Agee, is available for speaking events, writing clinics, and book discussions through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau at https://humanitiesnebraska.org/speaker/.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.

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Young Readers Invited to Write to Favorite Authors

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Kayla Henzel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tessa Terry
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Young Readers Invited to Write to Favorite Authors

Young readers in grades 4-12 are invited to write a personal letter to an author for the Nebraska Letters about Literature (LAL) contest, a state reading and writing promotion program. The letter can be to any author (living or dead) from any genre-fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic-explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s view of the world. Submissions must be completed online November 1- December 31, 2021. Nebraska Letters About Literature is coordinated and sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Library Commission, with support from Houchen Bindery, Ltd., Humanities Nebraska, and Chapters Bookstore in Seward.

The Nebraska Center for the Book’s panel of judges will select a winner and an honorable mention per competition level (Level I for grades 4-6, Level II for grades 7-8, and Level III for grades 9-12) to be honored in a proclamation-signing ceremony at the state capitol during National Library Week in April 2022. Their winning letters will be placed in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at Bennett Martin Public Library in Lincoln. Nebraska winners and honorable mentions will receive state prizes.

Teachers, librarians, and parents can download the contest guidelines, free teaching materials, information on the online entry system, and past winning letters on the Nebraska Center for the Book website. A recording of the informational NCompass Live webinar on November 3rd, discussing this year’s contest, is available online. For more information contact Nebraska Center for the Book.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases .

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November Literary Events

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Kayla Henzel

Happy first day of November!

It’s a new month full of new opportunities and events. Check out the NCB Calendar to see what events are going on near you!

The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change. Some events, workshops, or conferences may charge a fee or require registration prior to the event.

Please contact us if you have an event that you think should be featured on the NCB Calendar!

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“Bones of Paradise” Chosen as 2022 One Book One Nebraska

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Kayla Henzel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 25, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tessa Terry
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Bones of Paradise Chosen as 2022 One Book One Nebraska

People across Nebraska are encouraged to read the work of a Nebraskan —and then talk about it with their friends and neighbors. The Bones of Paradise: A Novel (William Morrow, 2016) by Jonis Agee is the 2022 One Book One Nebraska selection.

The Bones of Paradise is a multigenerational family saga set in the unforgiving Nebraska Sand Hills in the years following the massacre at Wounded Knee—it is an ambitious tale of history, vengeance, race, guilt, betrayal, family, and belonging, filled with a vivid cast of characters shaped by violence, love, and a desperate loyalty to the land. The One Book One Nebraska selection committee enjoyed the intricate plot development and well developed characters. They felt that the novel was a compelling read and contained a variety of themes that would engage discussion on a number of topics. Jonis Agee is an award-winning author of twelve books. Her awards include the John Gardner Fiction Award, the George Garrett Award, a National Endowment for the Arts grant in fiction, a Loft-McKnight Award, a Loft-McKnight Award of Distinction, and two Nebraska Book Awards. A native of Nebraska, Agee teaches at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events that will encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities will be available after January 1, 2022 at http://onebook.nebraska.gov. Updates and activity listings will be posted on the One Book One Nebraska Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska.

2022 will mark the eighteenth year of the One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. The Nebraska Center for the Book invites recommendations for One Book One Nebraska book selection year-round at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/obon-nomination.asp.

One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and Nebraska Library Commission. The Nebraska Center for the Book brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at and supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.    

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Shortlist for 2022 One Book One Nebraska Announced

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Kayla Henzel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tessa Terry
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Shortlist for 2022 One Book One Nebraska Announced

What book will all Nebraskans be encouraged to read in 2022? We will all find out on October 23rd. A historical fiction set in the Sandhills, Nonfiction work on refugees resettled in Nebraska, a book of humorous essays on small town life —all stories with ties to Nebraska and the Great Plains—are the finalists for the 2022 One Book One Nebraska statewide reading program. The finalists are:

  • The Bones of Paradise by Jonis Agee, William Morrow (2016)
  • The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher, Mariner Books (2003)
  • It’s Not the End of the Earth But You Can See it From Here by Roger Welsch, Bison Books (1990)

The One Book One Nebraska reading program, now in its eighteenth year, is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, and Nebraska Library Commission. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss the same book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. A Nebraska Center for the Book committee selected the three finalists from a list of twenty-four titles nominated by Nebraskans. In the coming weeks, Nebraska Center for the Book board members will vote on the 2022 selection.

The Celebration of Nebraska Books, on October 23rd, will also honor winners of the 2021 Jane Geske and Mildred Bennett awards. The 2021 Mildred Bennett Award will be presented to Rebecca Faber, the award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering the literary tradition in Nebraska, reminding us of the literary and intellectual heritage that enriches our lives and molds our world. The 2021 Jane Geske Award will be presented to the Kearney Literacy Council, a Nebraska organization known for exceptional contributions to literacy, books, reading, libraries, and literature in Nebraska. It commemorates Geske’s passion for books, and was established in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of the libraries of Nebraska.

Nebraskans are invited to take part in the Celebration of Nebraska Books on October 23rd, where the choice for the 2022 One Book One Nebraska will be announced. This year’s One Book One Nebraska selection will be featured in a key note presentation by author James J. Kimble on Prairie Forge: The Extraordinary Story of the Nebraska Scrap Metal Drive of World War II (Bison Books, 2014.) See http://onebook.nebraska.gov or https://www.facebook.com/OneBookOneNebraska for more information about ongoing 2021 One Book One Nebraska activities.

The Celebration of Nebraska Books will include readings by the winners of the 2021 Nebraska Book Awards emceed by Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason. A list of Nebraska Book Award winners is posted at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/awards.html. The Celebration of Nebraska Books is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book and Nebraska Library Commission with support from History Nebraska’s Nebraska History Museum. Humanities Nebraska provides support for the One Book One Nebraska keynote presentation.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.    

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