The Waldo Reads Together (WRT) committee announces this year’s featured title for its One Book, One Community program: Night of the Living Rez by Maine author and citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Morgan Talty.

According to WRT, in a news release, since its July 2022 publication, this book has become a national bestseller receiving acclaim from the literary community with numerous positive reviews and awards, including winner of the New England Book Award and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2022.

Set in a Native community in Maine, Night of the Living Rez is a debut collection about what it means to be growing up as a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation in the twenty-first century. In a narrative thread connecting twelve luminescent stories, each told from the point of view of a boy coming of age.

“Talty writes with searing humor, abiding compassion, and deep insight to examine the consequences and merits of inheritance,” said the release. “As characters experience estrangement from family, substance abuse, struggles with mental health, as well as the love of friendship, many readers will find universal themes that resonate and remind them of the human condition common to all.”

The book was selected after lengthy review by the WRT committee comprised of community volunteers and led by Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County. The selection process included a review of six additional titles including The Sentence by Louise Erdrich and Pocketful of Names by Joe Coomer,

“This book responds well to the feedback from our 2022 readers who requested a contemporary work with a Native American focus and/or a Maine focus that depicts challenges and hope,” said committee member Claudia Luchetti. “And we feel this book is an outstanding example of these elements.”

A variety of facilitated discussion sessions (both live and via Zoom) will be offered in April. Registration and program details will be available by March 1. Books are available at Left Bank Books at a 15% discount and free books will be made available to those for whom the cost of book purchase creates a barrier to participation.

“One Book, One Community,” created by the American Library Association, is a book discussion program that offers a community-wide read of one designated book over the same period of time with discussions and related activities about the book’s themes. Waldo Reads Together is a local version of this program, offered in 2021 for the first time through the initiative of Aging Well in Waldo County and partner organizations to help alleviate some social isolation and connect community members.

FMI contact Literacy Volunteers at www.waldoreads.org or dpendleton@rsu71.org