Are You Reading Poison Study?
Are you reading this year’s One Book , One Community (OBOC) selected book, Poison Study? If so, fabulous! If you haven’t started, grab a copy from your library now, because you won’t want to miss the upcoming events in February. New York Times Best Selling Author Maria V. Snyder will be visiting libraries in the region to discuss the Poison Study with readers in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry and York Counties.
What’s better than a riveting conversation about a book with other bibliophiles? Why, the chance to personally ask the author about the characters and issues that emerge in the story, of course!
Annually, members of the OBOC Selection Committee read a variety of intriguing books, and narrow them down to just five titles worthy of being put forth for a community vote. This year’s pick rose to the top. Committee members say that Poison Study is a rollicking, exciting fantasy novel with a strong, intelligent female protagonist, Yelena. Her world is authoritarian and rigid with strict laws. When Yelena is offered a choice between death and becoming the leader’s poison taster, she learns to adapt and change her world. Although this is a wonderful fantasy novel, deeper themes stay with readers for years.
Inspired While Reading
Maria’s inspiration for Poison Study emerged while she was reading Orson Card Scott’s book about writing science fiction and fantasy. It spurred her thinking about a food taster, and a scene popped into her mind. Through the eyes of a King, she saw a woman tasting food that was most likely poisoned. He watched her with heartbreaking horrow because he had fallen in love with her. Maria says, “That led me to wonder about the woman. Who was she? Why was she there? Why would a King fall in love with her? And Poison Study was born.”
About The Author
Maria is a Philadelphia native and resides in Pennsylvania. This is not the first time she has made her way to York County for an event. She was the featured author at the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) for teens at Martin Library last April. She has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Meteorology from Penn State University. However she discovered that forecasting the weather wasn’t quite her cup of tea, so she spent a number of years as an environmental meteorologist. Later – and thankfully for all of her devoted readers- she went on to earn a Masters of Arts Degree in Writing from Seton Hill University where today she continues to teach and mentor writing students. Maria gets her inspiration for books from books, movies, family members and daily life. She keeps an ongoing notebook of observations and thoughts, and shares that she is never at a loss for ideas, just time.
OBOC Program Schedule to Be Announced
Our librarians have been busy creating a fun-packed schedule of events surrounding this year’s book. We will share the final details in the next few weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the book…and we will see you in February!