What is “Tishomingo Reads”?

Tishomingo Reads is a community-wide reading program fashioned after the “One Book, One Community” projects that can be found from coast to coast. It involves participants reading a single book and meeting occasionally with a group to discuss it. For this first year, the book is The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Tishomingo Reads is sponsored by the Northeast Regional Library, the Old Courthouse board, and the Tishomingo County School District.

What is the purpose of this program?

The sponsors of Tishomingo Reads describe this program as a way to celebrate the power of stories to bring us as a county together, inspiring, educating, and fostering a sense of togetherness through community reading.

How was the book chosen?

Seizing the opportunity provided by the 2024 Summer Olympics, the theme chosen for this first year of the program is “The Olympic Journey: Stories of Perseverance.” The book The Boys in the Boat is about an American rowing team training for and competing in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The school district will provide suggested titles appropriate for all age groups that involve stories of perseverance so that school students will be able to participate in this program.

So, how does the Tishomingo Reads program work?

Because this is a program to encourage reading, it is left up to participants as to how they want to meet and discuss the book. Some may want to read it alone, while others may gather in groups of whatever number, and wherever and whenever it is convenient for them. Some may want to meet weekly and others monthly. The gatherings can be at someone’s home or in a public place such as a library. The Tishomingo Reads sponsors simply want to facilitate this community-wide reading effort, leaving it to participants to structure their own experience as suits them. Discussion guides will be available for anyone who wishes to use them.

Where can I get a copy of The Boys in the Boat?

Through a grant obtained from the Institute of Museum and Library Science and administered by the Mississippi Library Commission, the Northeast Regional Library has purchased over eighty paperback copies of the book. Beginning on Thursday, September 5, these will be available free of charge to anyone who wants to participate. They can be obtained at any of the four public libraries in the county, Iuka, Burnsville, Tishomingo, and Belmont. Copies will also be available at the Old Courthouse Museum in Iuka on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library has developed a discussion guide that is free to anyone requesting one. When picking up a book, participants will be asked to give their name and contact information. While providing this is not mandatory, it is being requested so that the Tishomingo Reads sponsors can assist participants in finding a group to join.

What if I have other questions?

Anyone who wishes to get more information about the program can call 662.424.2527, email tishomingoreads@gmail.com, or visit the Facebook page “Tishomingo Reads.”