Fairfield Library Reveals 2016 Choice For One Book, One Town Event

FAIRFIELD, CONN. – And the 2016 winner for Fairfield’s ninth One Book, One Town event is, ta daa: “So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed,” by Jon Ronson.

Jon Ronson's "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" is this year's pick for the Fairfield Library's and partners' One Book, One Town event.
Photo Credit: *Fairfield Public Library*

Jon Ronson, author of "So You've Been Publicly Shamed," will appear at a One Book, One Town event in March in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo Credit: *Fairfield Public Library*

Carol Reif

01/19/2016 4:00 a.m.

Ronson, who has been called one of the finest comic writers working today, is a “gonzo journalist in the spirit of the great Hunter S. Thompson,” library officials say.

The Fairfield Library, and its community partners, had the big reveal of its OBOT choice recently and are planning a meet-the-author event in March.

Ronson, also known for his books “The Psychopath Test” and “Men Who Stare At Goats,” will appear at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8.

According to the OBOT organizers, Ronson is fascinated by “madness, strange behavior, and the human mind.”

He traveled all over the world, interviewing folks who have been the victims of high-profile public shamings, the “great renaissance” of which has been spurred by advent of social media, they said.

The OBOT event is sponsored by the library, the Pequot Library, Fairfield University, the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, and the Fairfield Museum and History Center.

According to Claudia Silk, OBOT co-chair and a reference librarian at the Fairfield Public Library, 200 copies of Ronson’s book have been purchased (175 at the Fairfield library, and 25 at the Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave., Southport). As of Tuesday, Jan. 19, all copies are checked out, Silk said.

But fear not, the libraries also have online versions (ebooks) and audio versions. OBOT participants can also, she said, buy their own copies of the book.

Silk said that OBOT also is, for the first time, going to hold a “Twitter Talk Back.” Scheduled for 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, OBOT participants can tweet to their heart’s content about the book by using the hastag, forshame2016. Their library partners will also take part in the Twitter discussion, Silk said.

Fairfield also has a “Librarians on Loan” program, Silk said, where book clubs can order up a librarian who will come and discuss the OBOT choice with them.

On Thursday, March 10, there will be a “Continue the Conversation” event at 1 p.m. at the Fairfield Library’s branch location (1147 Fairfield Woods Road) and a 7 p.m. the same day at its main site (1080 Old Post Road).

Space for the author talk, where copies of the book will be for sale, is limited, so registration is required, Silk said.

Residents can register, starting at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 16; and non-residents can register, starting at 9 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 23 by visiting the library’s website, www. fairfieldpubliclibrary.org, or by calling (203) 256-3160.

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