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Community reading project puts new spin on book clubs

Jan. 24, 2008

Over the Christmas break, a 3-year-old community reading program called One Book, One Waco experienced a resurrection of sorts.

News of the program's rebirth is already buzzing all over the city and it is my hope that you and every other Baylor student, faculty and staff member will join us as we read, converse and come together as a community.

I, former student body external vice president Allan Marshall and others in the community have been working over the past few months to bring back One Book, One Waco.

It has been one of the most successful programs and ideas ever to emerge from the EVP office.

One Book, One Waco is a program that promotes reading and thoughtful discussion and includes activities and events focused on encouraging community participation.

It's a great program with an amazing mission to promote education, literacy and unity in our community.

The book selected for the spring 2008 One Book, One Waco program is Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

It is the true story of an international art dealer from Fort Worth and a homeless sharecropper from Red River Parish, La.

Same Kind of Different As Mespeaks to the power of unlikely friendships and the transforming bond of love within all of us. It's a powerful and moving story.

As a member of the One Book, One Waco steering committee, I was asked to serve as chairman of the book selection committee. It was a responsibility I did not take lightly.

It was important to me and to everyone else on the committee that we choose a book that would engage a majority of Waco residents, provoke good discussion and appeal to younger audiences.

Same Kind of Different As Me meets and exceeds those criteria.

If you're even remotely interested in the program, I would encourage you to pick up a copy sometime in the next week or so. You won't regret it.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: When do I have time to read outside of my normal homework, assigned readings, work schedule, extra-curricular activities and study time? However, this book is such a fast read that I don't think you'll have a problem squeezing it into your daily routine.

The chapters are short, and you can read 10 pages or so in the blink of an eye.

It's an engaging and uplifting story. I know that I had a hard time putting it down.

In addition to the selected reading, part of One Book, One Waco's mission is to arrange city-wide events where community members can discuss and reflect on the book.

Two events in particular will be conveniently located on Baylor's campus for students engaging in the program.

On Feb. 19, a panel featuring student leaders and well-known faculty members will discuss the role of faith in the book's story.

And on March 3, the book's authors will be featured at a lecture-style event in Waco Hall.

These are exciting times for the Baylor-Waco relationship, and it's my hope that you'll jump on the bandwagon and participate in this great and worthwhile program.

Bryan Fonville serves as student body external vice president. He is a junior business major from Garland.

Opinions expressed in the Lariat are not necessarily those of the Baylor administration, the Baylor Board of Regents or the Student Publications Board.

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