A Novel Idea is BMPL’s book club. Join us each month to explore and discuss the month’s book. A Novel Idea Book Club meets in the library on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm. In September, we will read along with Ripley County Reads in the One State/ One Story program from the Indiana Humanities. All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles is the winner of the 2021 National Book Award in nonfiction.

The book tells the story of Ashley’s sack, which Ashley’s great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Miles, found in her parents’ attic. The sack is made of flour and sugar sacks and holds scraps of fabric, buttons, beads, and other items that Ashley probably carried with her as a slave. Nancy Durham will lead the discussion.

There will be programs throughout Ripley County that coordinate with this book. Find information about all the programs being offered at https://ripleycountyreads.org/osos/

Ripley County Reads is a partnership between the three public library systems in Ripley County, Indiana (the Batesville Memorial Public Library, Osgood Public Library, and the Tyson Library) and Ripley County Tourism. The goal is to promote literacy, community, and education throughout the County. 

Find the display or ask for a copy of the book at the front desk.

This program has been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for Humanities.

Complete information can be found at https://ripleycountyreads.org/osos/