PORT TOWNSEND — A historical fiction novel that follows a 17-year-old girl’s adventures through the West has been selected as the 2020 Community Read.
The story, “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” by Oregon author John Larison, is about Jessilyn Harney, who finds herself suddenly responsible for her family’s homestead.
Facing starvation and nearby enemies, she knows the only way to survive is to find her runaway brother, Noah, and bring him home, according to a press release.
Keith Darrock, a manager at the Port Townsend Public Library, said he fell in love with the book, which was selected by longtime library associate Beverly Moore.
The historical fiction novel “Whiskey When We’re Dry” by author John Larison of Oregon has been selected as the 2020 Community Read. (Port Townsend Public Library)
Reading Month
“It’s a story of adventure, and there’s definitely some grittiness to it,” Darrock told the City Council on Monday night after Mayor Michelle Sandoval proclaimed March Reading Month.
It will be the 15th Community Read, and Library Director Melody Eisler said she wanted to go back to the “old-fashioned days.”
“Every year we’re doing more to get our community involved in the Community Read,” she said.
The Port Townsend Public Library Foundation purchased 475 books — 125 more than last year, she said.
A limited number of free copies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional copies will be available for checkout on a two-week basis, Eisler said.
Others will be available for purchase at Imprint Books, she said.
Eisler encouraged people to read the book and then pass it along to others.
Darrock also highlighted several community reading discussions that will take place next month. A brochure with discussion points and questions is available at the library.
A full list of free community-related events is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-PTRead.
An opening reception called “Hoedown in the Carnegie” is planned at 6 p.m. March 6 at the library’s Carnegie Reading Room. Vegetarian chili and cornbread will be provided by Kris Nelson’s restaurants.
Other highlights include local authors discussing their books, a movie screening of “True Grit” on March 13 and an archery demonstration and instruction March 21 with the Wapiti Bowmen at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Finally, Larison will discuss “Whiskey When We’re Dry” at 6:30 p.m. March 26 at the Northwest Maritime Center.
“It’s a historical fiction, a Western, with contemporary issues,” Darrock said. “It’s beautifully written with a great sense of place with the West in the landscape.”
The novel was a Los Angeles Times Best Seller, an Indie Next Pick and a finalist for the Ken Kesey Award, according to a press release, and it’s being developed for a feature film.
“In the town that whiskey built,” Eisler said, referring to Port Townsend, ‘read ‘Whiskey When We’re Dry.’”
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Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
