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One Book One West Virginia

One Book One West Virginia is a state-wide book discussion group designed to promote dialogue among community members gathered in various locations throughout the state. To accomplish this goal, participants are urged to join book discussion groups and attend related special events, such as meeting the author, character portrayals, movies, and workshops. Selections are made by the Appalachian Heritage Writer-In-Residence Program.

2024 One Book One West Virginia Selections

This year, one adult title and one young readers title were chosen.

Following the Silence by Marc Harshman

See Marc Harshman's schedule of events with the Appalachian Heritage Writer in Residence here!

Following the Silence is the newest collection of poetry by Poet Laureate of West Virginia Marc Harshman. This title was chosen as the Adult Title for this year's One Book One West Virginia selection. In this collection, Harshman "gathers the visible world into crisp focus, and brings the invisible world as close to the light as it will bear" (Jesse Graves, author of Merciful Days and Tennessee Landscape with Blighted Pine). Marc Harshman is also the 2024 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence (AHWIR) at Shepherd University, and you can read his AHWIR author page here.

You can also access Following the Silence through Biblioboard here.

Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece written by Marc Harshman and Anna Egan Smucker, and illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Fallingwater showcases the imaginative creative process that Frank Lloyd Wright underwent to design the Fallingwater house. With engaging prose and meticulously dynamic illustrations, Fallingwater tells a story that inspires both children and adults. Fallingwater was chosen for this year's Young Readers Title.

Read about Anna Egan Smucker here.

Read about LeUyen Pham here.

2023 One Book One West Virginia Selection

Strange as this Weather Has Been by Ann Pancake

About Ann Pancake

Ann Pancake.jpg

An intrepid mother determines to take on the secretive world of mountain top removal and the coal companies that make millions at the expense of West Virginian families. Lace and Jimmy Make and their children are as much victims of the ruthless world of King Coal, making money, and tearing apart mountains as old as Pangea itself. Winner of the Weatherford and other awards, Strange As This Weather Has Been is the 2023 One Book, One West Virginia Common Read.

2022 One Book One West Virginia Selection

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Tired of living on a failing farm and suffering oppressive poverty, bored housewife Dellarobia Turnbow, on the way to meet a potential lover, is detoured by a miraculous event on the Appalachian mountainside that ignites a media and religious firestorm that changes her life forever.

Join the conversation August 1-15 on Facebook

About Barbara Kingsolver

2022 Appalachian Writer in Residence – Barbara Kingsolver Author Page

Teaching Assignment and Tools

Previous Selections

2022 Black History Month Selection: The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Pauk Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis - About the Author

2020-2021 Selection: The Patron Saint of Ugly by Maria Manilla

2021 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Marie Manilla Author Page

2019-2020 Selection: Cavedweller by Dorothy Allison

2020 Appalachian Writer in Residence – Dorothy Allison Author Page

2018-2019 Selection: Water Street by Crystal Wilkinson

2019 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Crystal Wilkinson Author Page

2017-2018 Selection: Mother of Rain by Karen Spears Zacharias

2018 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Karen Spears Zacharias Author Page

2016-2017 Selection: A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash

2017 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Wiley Cash Author Page

2015-2016 Selection: Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier

2016 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Charles Frazier Author Page

2014-2015 Selection: Chasing Utopia:A Hybrid by Nikki Giovanni

2015 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Nikki Giovanni Author Page

2013-2014 Selection: Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

2014 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Homer Hickam Author Page

2012-2013 Selection: Affrilachia by Frank X Walker

2013 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Frank X Walker Author Page

Image result for The Miner's Daughter by Gretchen Moran Laskas

2011-2012 Selection: The Miner's Daughter by Gretchen Moran Laskas

2012 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Gretchen Moran Laskas Author Page

2010-2011 Selection: 2010-2011 Selection: Serena by Ron Rash

2011 Appalachian Writer in Residence - Ron Rash Author Page

One Book One West Virginia

​2024 One Book One West Virginia Selections

​​​​Following the Silence by Marc Harshman

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​Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece written by Marc Harshman and Anna Egan Smucker, and illustrated by LeUyen Pham