It’s been a slightly different process each year, but this time library programming staff submitted all the potential titles for consideration.  That list of 90+ titles was whittled down to the 10 titles that had the most nominations.  Those 10 titles then went on ballots for the public to vote. Voting was conducted at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, at all our library locations, and online.  Tim Dorsey's "Florida Roadkill" won by a 4 to 1 margin.

Other books on the ballot included The Secret Life of Bees, Cross Creek, Everglades: River of Grass; Totch: A Life in the Everglades; Last Train to Paradise; Skin Tight; The Yearling; Fahrenheit 451 (one of the most used titles for One Book projects nationwide); and Voice of the River.

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR BOOK SELECTION

Adapted from the American Library Association's (ALA) "Planning Guide" publication for One Book, One Community projects.

The title for a project like this needs to be of very broad appeal.  The ALA guidelines suggest you consider how your project can link to other activities and organizations in the community.  Activities could include a production at a local theater, movie screenings, concerts, exhibits at historical or art museums, mock trials, cooking demonstrations or contests, or anything else to which the particular book lends itself.

Other recommendations concern such things as:

• Compelling issues, characters, themes to encourage discussion
• Well-known author w/national or regional reputation
• High school level reading
• In print, in large type, audio cassettes, CDs, in Spanish, in paperback
• Affordable
• Fiction vs. non-fiction
• Classic vs. current popular title
• Appeals to both genders
• Community issues, interests and demographics like:
  • Growth, development
  • Large Spanish-speaking population
  • Tourism
  • Environment
  • and many more!
• Helps meet project goals:  To foster a sense of unity through reading and stimulating discussion of a common book, enhanced by related cultural, educational and recreational program components