×

‘Shoeless Joe’ library book chosen

One Book One Community to offer program

WARREN — Trumbull County libraries will build it, and one of the stars of the movie “Field of Dreams” will come here to talk about it.

W.P Kinsella’s 1982 novel “Shoeless Joe,” which was the basis for the 1989 film that was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture, has been selected as 2019’s One Book One Community choice. The program is a collaboration among the different libraries in the county to encourage the public to read the same book and participate in discussions and programs built around it.

Cheryl Bush, public relations director for the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, said the libraries were invited to suggest books for consideration. Four choices were presented to library patrons over the summer, and they could vote for their favorite at the libraries and online.

“Shoeless Joe” was the winner.

“Obviously a lot are familiar with the movie that is kind of based on the book,” Bush said. “There’s a lot of interest in the movie, but also the book itself, which combines the baseball story with a story about fathers and sons and family. It really does have something for a lot of readers, I think.”

“Shoeless Joe” tells the story of an Iowa farmer who one day hears a voice that tells him, “If you build it, he will come.” He decides the voice is telling him to cut a baseball diamond into his cornfield, and it leads him on a journey to bring a reclusive writer and others to his creation.

Dwier Brown, who plays a pivotal role in the film (one that’s a spoiler for those who haven’t read the book or seen the movie), will speak at Kent State University at Trumbull on March 25 as one of the events planned in conjunction with One Book One Community. Brown, an Ohio native who grew up in Medina County, also is the author of “If You Build It …,” a memoir about the making of the film and the stories fans have shared with him about the emotions stirred by the story.

“So many people have shared their stories with him about their own families and fathers, so he wrote a book,” Bush said. “It was natural to invite him. He’ll talk about the movie and his book as well.”

Admission to Brown’s talk will be free, but tickets will be required and will be released in early March.

The full schedule still is being assembled, but activities will include book discussions, screenings of “Field of Dreams” and other baseball movies, a baseball trivia night and other programs inspired by the novel. Copies of the book are available now at participating libraries.

“This is a great way for some of the other libraries in the county to work together and partner and reach out to even more people,” Bush said.

agray@tribtoday.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today