One Book, One Milton
An Evening with Waubgeshig Rice Presented By Milton Public Library
Milton Public Library proudly hosted acclaimed author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice for the highly anticipated 2024 One Book, One Milton event on Wednesday, November 20th.
Held at the FirstOntario Arts Centre, the evening brought together an enthusiastic audience eager to hear Waubgeshig share his insights on his latest novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, the powerful sequel to his best-selling book, Moon of the Crusted Snow. Through a thoughtful and engaging conversation hosted by Sherry Saevil, a prominent advocate and educator on Indigenous issues, Waubgeshig delved into the novel’s exploration of survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of Indigenous identity.
Sarah Douglas-Murray, CEO of Milton Public Library, opened the event, highlighting the significance of the program: “For over a decade, One Book, One Milton has been our flagship annual event, showcasing the incredible talent of Canada’s most celebrated authors. This year, we are thrilled to feature Waubgeshig Rice and his extraordinary novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves. It’s a privilege to share this story with our community.”
Milton’s Mayor, Gordon Krantz, was also in attendance, emphasizing the event’s cultural and literary importance for the town.
Waubgeshig Rice expressed his appreciation for being selected as the One Book, One Milton author for 2024, saying, “It’s an honour to be part of this program and to share my story with the Milton community. I’m deeply grateful for the warm reception and the chance to connect with such engaged readers.”
The evening included a lively Q&A session, where audience members explored the novel’s themes and Waubgeshig’s creative inspirations, fostering a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion.
One attendee shared their thoughts: “Waubgeshig Rice’s visit to Milton was unforgettable. His storytelling is profound. This was a truly memorable experience. Thank you to Milton Public Library for bringing this opportunity to our community.”
The night concluded with a personal book signing session, giving attendees a chance to meet Waubgeshig Rice and have their copies of Moon of the Turning Leaves signed. The event was a resounding success, celebrating the power of storytelling and community connection.
2024 OBOM Event Highlights
2024 OBOM Title
“A cause for celebration. . . . Rice has created not only a compulsive narrative, but, perhaps more significantly, a compelling world, rooted in both the traditions of the Anishinaabe and the ashes of late-stage capitalism. It’s a powerful, tour de force accomplishment which will leave readers hoping for a third book.” — Toronto Star
“Moon of the Turning Leaves is the second novel Mr. Rice has set in this world, after 2018’s Moon of the Crusted Snow, but this book can be read on its own. . . . [Rice’s] attention to the material culture of the future Anishinaabe people is particular and impressive.” — The Wall Street Journal
Twelve years after the lights go out . . . An epic journey to a forgotten homeland.
Moon of the Turning Leaves is Waubgeshig Rice’s exhilarating return to the world first explored in the phenomenal breakout bestseller Moon of the Crusted Snow: a brooding story of survival, resilience, Indigenous identity, and rebirth.
In the years since a mysterious cataclysm caused a permanent blackout that toppled infrastructure and thrust the world into anarchy, Evan Whitesky has led his community in remote northern Canada off the rez and into the bush, where they’ve been rekindling their Anishinaabe traditions, isolated from the outside world. As new generations are born, and others come of age in a world after everything, Evan’s people are stronger than ever. But resources around their new settlement are drying up, and elders warn that they cannot stay indefinitely.
Evan and his teenaged daughter, Nangohns, are chosen to lead a scouting party on a months-long trip down to their traditional home on the shores of Lake Huron—to seek new beginnings, and discover what kind of life—and what danger—still exists in the lands to the south.
About the Author
Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation.
He’s written four books, most notably the bestselling novel Moon of the Crusted Snow, published in 2018 and his recent novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, #1 National best seller, which was released in 2023.
Waubgeshig graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career.
In addition to his writing endeavours, Waubgeshig is an eclectic public speaker, delivering keynote addresses and workshops, engaging in interviews, and contributing to various panels at literary festivals and conferences. He speaks on creative writing and oral storytelling, contemporary Anishinaabe culture and matters, Indigenous representation in arts and media, and more.
He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and three sons.
2024 OBOM in the News
Criteria
One Book, One Milton is a community-wide program.
A book selection committee comprised of Milton Public Library staff members consider the following criteria when choosing Milton’s read.
The One Book, One Milton book selection must:
- Be written by a Canadian author
- Have been written for an adult audience
- Appeal to both men and women
- Engage the reader
- Generate a sense of excitement
- Sustain a complex discussion
- Raise issues of importance
Participate
One Book, One Milton is a community-wide program designed to encourage everyone in Milton to read the same book – similar to one really big book club.
One Book, One Milton engages the community through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book: its contents, themes and relevance, as it relates to the Milton Community.
There are many ways to get involved and engaged in One Book, One Milton:
- Read a copy of the book
- Participate in various events and activities, including the author visit!
Read
You can borrow, download or purchase a copy of the selected book to read and enjoy. To borrow the book from Milton Public Library, visit us online or in person. You can also purchase a copy at any Milton Public Library location, or at the main event.
If you need help downloading the eBook, please let us know as we are happy to help!
Visit the library, call 905-875-2665, or email information@beinspired.ca for assistance.
Connect to other readers using the hashtag #onebookonemilton
Past Years
Contact Us
Questions? Please call 905-875-2665 or email information@beinspired.ca and we will get in touch with you.
